Noyes Sports Complex and Aquatic Park

Spread across 23 acres, the Noyes Sports Complex offers a wide array of sporting facilities. These include 12 tennis courts, horseshoe courts, basketball courts, an exercise trail, bantam football fields, a ballfield – all with seating and concessions. A highlight of the complex is the Aquatic Park with its pool and lazy river it is a wonderful place to spend a summer day!

Noyes Field has been at the center of the sports culture of St. Joseph since the mid-1940s. It received its official name in summer 1947 and from that time it has hosted a variety of sporting/civic events including concerts by the Municipal Band. Over the decades new facilities and upgrades have been made to the site to ensure that it provides a quality recreational experience. Because of its proximity to Central High School, the facilities at Noyes Field have long been utilized for high school events. This cross usage led to some squabbling in the 1960s and 70s between the city and the school district over who should maintain the facilities.

     In 1925 one of the municipal swimming pools opened at this site. It was replaced by a new pool in 1954; city officials proudly extolled the benefits of the new chlorinator at the pool! In 2005, the decision was made to replace the traditional swimming pool with an Aquatic Park. At a cost of well over $2,000,000 the new facility with its lazy river, vortex pool, and water exercise entry opened that summer to rave reviews! It has remained a favorite of water lovers ever since.

     So, if you are looking for a great place to sweat a little and to cool off on a summer day – the Noyes Sports Complex is just the place!

St. Joseph Gazette, Aug. 1, 1946.

“It’s Noyes Field,” St. Joseph News Press, July 11, 1947.

“Next Band Concert Is Thursday Night,” St. Joseph News Press, July 21, 1947.

“Attendance Near 60,000,” St. Joseph News Press, Aug. 14, 1947.

“First Annual City Grid Jamboree to Be Run Off Tonight at Noyes Field,” St. Joseph News Press, Sept. 17, 1948.

“Municipal Pools Give High Pleasure Return,” St. Joseph Gazette, June 21, 1949.

“St. Joseph Municipal Band Concerts,” St. Joseph News Press, July 19, 1953.

“Chlorinator to be in New Pool,” St. Joseph News Press, July 6, 1954.

“Favor Noyes Restroom,” St. Joseph Gazette, April 1, 1955.

“Ask Council for Noyes Field Money,” St. Joseph Gazette, May 10, 1955.

“Ask $31,800 for Noyes Field Job,” St. Joseph News Press, Dec. 10, 1955.

“Horseshoe Meet Begins Today at Noyes Field,” St. Joseph News Press, Oct. 4, 1958.

Bill Scott, “A Problem Recognized,” St. Joseph News Press, Oct. 6, 1963.

“Artificial Turf Plan Not Backed by School District,” St. Joseph News Press, Aug. 13, 1970.

“Moving of Noyes Field Fencing Turned Down,” St. Joseph Gazette, Sept. 21, 1971.

Allen Seifert, “Noyes Field Deteriorating as Top Football Arena,” St. Joseph News Press, Oct. 26, 1975.

“Measures for City-School District Deal Filed,” St. Joseph News Press, April 7, 1979.

Joe Blumberg, “Aquatic Park Stays on Schedule,” St. Joseph News Press, May 1, 2005.

Alyson E. Raletz, “Children Enjoying Aquatic Park,” St. Joseph News Press, June 5, 2005.

Stephanie Stangl, “Getting in the Swim of Things,” St. Joseph News Press, June 17, 2005.

Andy Meyer, “In Need of Repair,” St. Joseph News Press, Aug. 26, 2007.