A new outdoor sports complex is to be developed in Hammond, Indiana, US, following an agreement between the local government and Purdue University Calumet (PUC).

Located at Downling Park in the Hessville neighbourhood, the first phase of the scheme is to feature a tennis facility - if PUC raises its share of the US$625,000 (£382,000) cost. The second stage will include a soccer field development, while baseball and softball fields are proposed in Phase Three. The availability of funding will determine progress.

PUC said the complex was crucial in its bid to serve its expanding athletics programme and it is expected that its intercollegiate provision will be extended to 12 teams in future years. "We want to be able to recruit talented and motivated, Northwest Indiana-area student-athletes who desire to continue their athletics career while they persist to earn a Purdue degree on our campus," said PUC chancellor Howard Cohen.

"This complex will go a long way enabling us to build a competitive athletics program in which outstanding student-athletes enjoy a first class experience of learning and competing." Image: PUC/City of Hammond