SportsQuest sold for under $5 million at auction - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

SportsQuest was sold at auction Tuesday for under $5 million to turf company Shaw Industries Inc.

The complex was put on the auction block after it couldn't pay back a $15 million loan from Shaw Industries which installed its turf.

Within 10 minutes, the complex got a new owner. The very company that installed the turf at SportsQuest, and lent the $5 million, will now take over. Shaw industries was the only bidder.

Two pieces of land were on the auction block. The largest one is 115 acres.  Shaw and its affiliate, Sports Complex holdings, bought the largest property for $4.26 million. It also purchased the second five-acre property for $450,000. 

Christopher Robinson said he saw it coming.  He ran an indoor facility at sports quest for two years and hopes to work with the new owners.

"I hope so," said Robinson. "With a better vision and smaller scale plan, it could work out."

Tournaments and events already planned at the complex will continue. Chesterfield Parks and Recreation Director, Mike Golden, says he'll work with Shaw Industries to make improvements starting with grounds maintenance, road maintenance and adding more parking.

"We're interested in talking with them and hearing what their proposals are with us but it's hard to say at this point," said Golden.

The acquisition is good news for athletes like Eliza Fritz who plays field hockey here.

"It's allowed a lot of travel teams and adult league opportunities to come to chesterfield which is awesome when you're home in the summer to train and play so you can be competitive when you go back to preseason in college," said Fritz.

Chesterfield County has an agreement with the complex to use the fields. We still don't know what will happen to the other $10 million in debt.

Our calls to Shaw Industries were not returned as of Tuesday afternoon.

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