JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (WAND) — Wednesday afternoon, a severe storm made its way through Jacksonville, the bulk of the damage happening in West Jacksonville and at the Future Champions Sports Complex.
There was extensive damage to the facility restaurant, which the storm passed directly through, bisecting the building. Debris and insulation from the building was scattered across multiple fields. Projectiles tore down protective nets, and multiple yards of fencing were bent or warped.Â
The Complex had their annual "Play the Turf" Tournament scheduled for June 20-22, but the damage has thrown a curve ball in their plans.Â
One owner, Kristin Jamison, said they are evaluating how they can still hols their tournament, which is suppose to bring in 50 different teams. "After a lot of tears, we're thinking, 'what happens next?'" she said. "'How do we try to salvage this tournament that we have?'"
With damage on four of their six fields, rebuilding and cleaning up the 28 acres of campus will take time. Community members are already answering the call.
Joe Lockman, a friend of the Jamison family and Ward 3 Alderman for the city, took to the fields soon after it was safe to do so. "This is an institution in Jacksonville." he explained. "As I sat at home wondering, 'what could I do?' I just got in my car and brought a rake and some trash bags and came out."
He was joined by a group of other community members who started moving the pieces of debris in efforts to start the clean-up process.
Jamison said she was thankful for the outpouring of support they were getting from the community, just hours after the storm happened. "Makes you really proud to live in this this neighborhood, this community."
On their Facebook, the Complex shared that they are discussing alternative locations for this weekend's tournament.Â
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