LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Major championship events will bring thousands of athletes to west Louisville in 2025.
The Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center has been chosen to host seven track championships, including The ACC, ASUN, SIAC, NAIA and Midsouth Conference indoor track and field championships and the KHSAA Indoor Track State Championships.
"To have the level of indoor track that's going to take place in this facility is the culmination of a long-time vision," said the CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission Greg Fante. "And belief of a core group of people who would not take the word no as an answer."
The venue is calling it a milestone as they are on track to host a record number of events as they see a record 25% increase in events from last season. The track will also host 40 youth, high school and collegiate meets.
Founder Sadiqa Reynolds said the growth speaks to the investments in west Louisville and a dream that started with nothing.
“This land was contaminated. First, you wouldn’t be standing here. The first thing to acknowledge is we are standing in a place that’s valued now at more than $60 million. It was worth nothing when we walked in,” she said. “It’s about more than just the competition—this is a place where athletes of all ages can come together, challenge themselves, and thrive.”
The competitions also bring revenue to local businesses like Chicago’s Jerk Tacos which is adjacent to the facility.
The restaurant, once a food truck, now a brick and mortar, credits their growth to visitors the center brings in town.
"And the national customer base that they bring in has gained us national exposure," owner Aaron Williams said. "Which is like a dream come true. How can a small business right here in Louisville, Kentucky have such an impact nationwide? You know that's crazy."
Not only will the visitors generate revenue for hotels, businesses and restaurants like Chicago’s Jerk Tacos, but it will create job opportunities for residents who live in the neighborhood.
As the center continues to thrive, Shawnee neighborhood resident Frank Anderson said he'd still like to see more expansion and investments around the track.
"A hotel would be ok, but it's not ok if you don't have the supporting businesses for it," Anderson said. "So people can get food and maybe do some shopping."
The University of Louisville is set to kick off their track season at Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center next Wednesday where they will host the Texas Longhorns.
Here is the list of the events for the facility.
2024/25 Indoor Track Schedule
- Commonwealth Classic – December 7, 2024
- Louisville Opener (University of Louisville) – December 11, 2024
- TFC USA Pre-Indoor Nationals – January 4, 2025
- Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational (University of Kentucky) – January 10-11, 2025
- Bellarmine Open – January 17, 2025
- MLK Weekend Invite – January 18-19, 2025
- JCPS High School Indoor All Comers Meet #1 – January 22, 2025
- PNC Bank Bellarmine Classic – January 24, 2025
- Louisville Indoor Games – January 25, 2025
- Southeast Showdown – January 26, 2025
- JCPS Middle School Indoor Indoor Meet #1- January 27, 2025
- JCPS High School Indoor All Comers Meet #2 – January 29, 2025
- PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational (University of Louisville) – January 31, 2025 – February 1, 2025
- JCPS Middle School Indoor Indoor Meet #2 – February 3, 2025
- JCPS High School Indoor All Comers Meet #3 – February 5, 2025
- Eastern Indoors – February 7-8, 2025
- JCPS Middle School Indoor Indoor Meet #3 – February 10, 2025
- JCPS High School Indoor All Comers Meet #4 – February 12, 2025
- Mid-South Conference Indoor Track Championships – February 13, 2025
- KTCCCA Weekend President’s Day Invite – February 15-16, 2025
- JCPS Middle School Indoor Indoor Meet #4 – February 17, 2025
- SIAC Indoor Track & Field Championships – February 20-21, 2025
- KTCCCA Middle and Elementary Indoor State Championships – February 22, 2025
- High School Classic – February 23, 2025
- JCPS Middle School Indoor Indoor Track & Field City Championships – February 24, 2025
- ASUN Indoor Track & Field Championship – February 27-28, 2025
- ACC Indoor Track & Field Championship – March 1-3, 2025
- KHSAA Indoor Track & Field State Meets – March 4-6, 2025
- HBCU Championship – March 7-8, 2025