DAVENPORT -- St. Ambrose University announced Friday it has purchased the Orthopedic Specialists Sports Complex at 5003 Brady Street.

The school paid Acquired Capital $450,000 for the complex, commonly referred to as a "Brady Street Bubble," built in mid-2005 for $1.5 million. St. Ambrose will use it to expand year-round opportunities for students and athletes, said Mike Poster, the university's vice president for finance.

Acquired Capital obtained the property in December, 2010, while it was in foreclosure, according to Iowa court records. It was formerly owned by Bob Herrmann. The complex was closed to the public Feb. 8.

According to a university news release, the 67,000 square-foot facility will provide additional indoor recreation space. Currently, St. Ambrose athletic teams play or practice at 11 different sites throughout the Quad-Cities.

Mr. Poster said the university does not have an athletic complex on campus and only one football field. However, the football and soccer teams need to practice during the same time of year. Off-site gyms and fields must be used, he said.

"This newly-acquired complex will provide us with a large space for indoor practices and space for overall recreational activities for all students, such as intramural and other athletic events," Mr. Poster said.

The university is in the planing stages to build a new sports facility on land it purchased off Central Park. It primarily will be outdoor recreational space, Mr. Poster said, built into soccer and football fields and an outdoor track.

"We believe we will always have a need for this new indoor facility," he said. "Right now, baseball and softball teams are playing and March and April weather is not always cooperative. This way, the teams can practice inside when needed."

Most of the area inside the dome is field turf. Most likely, that space will be used by the university's soccer, baseball, softball and football teams, Mr. Poster said. The lower level holds a driving range.

Inside the building there is also a bating cage.

"When we starting looking at the complex and all of the possible uses of the property, it became an easy decision to acquire it," Mr. Poster said. "We feel this will be a great addition for our athletic teams and all of our students."