MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine is proud to announce that the Musco Sports Center has advanced to the quarterfinals of the People’s All-Star Community Award, part of the Iowa League of Cities All-Star Community Awards program. Sixteen statewide finalists were selected, with eight moving on to the Elite 8 round.
The People’s Award recognizes innovative local government projects, with the winners determined entirely by public voting on social media.
The quarterfinal bracket launched Thursday, August 20, on the Iowa League of Cities Facebook page. Matchups are posted in a dedicated photo album where individuals may cast their vote by “liking” the photo of their preferred project. Muscatine’s Musco Sports Center is matched against Marion's Central Plaza, with the project receiving the most “likes” advancing to the semifinals.
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Voting timeline
- Elite 8 voting: August 20–31
- Semifinal begins: September 1
- Final voting: Concludes during the League’s Annual Conference & Exhibit in September, with the winner announced at the awards banquet.
The Musco Sports Center represents one of the most significant community investments in Muscatine’s recent history. For decades, local families supported thousands of young athletes across numerous sports, yet winter weather routinely halted training, shortened seasons, and forced teams to travel long distances for indoor facilities.
The Musco Sports Center was built to change that. At 122,000 square feet, it is the largest inflatable sports facility in Iowa and provides year-round access to high-quality athletic and recreational space. The center includes:
- A full-size turf field for football, soccer, baseball, and softball
- Dedicated pickleball and court-based activity areas
- Flexible open space for tournaments, expos, car shows, quilt shows, and large community events
“The Musco Sports Center is more than a building — it’s a promise to our community, our families, and our future,” said Muscatine Parks & Recreation Director Nick Gow. “This facility gives our young athletes the opportunities they deserve, keeps activities local, and opens the door for new events and visitors. We’re proud of what it represents for Muscatine, and we hope the community rallies behind it in this competition.”
The facility strengthens Muscatine’s sports infrastructure, supports economic growth, and reflects the community’s commitment to youth development and long-term quality of life.
The City of Muscatine encourages residents, partners, and supporters to participate in the competition by visiting the Iowa League of Cities Facebook page, locating the photo of the Musco Sports Dome interior, and clicking “like.” Each vote helps Muscatine advance through the bracket and compete for the title of 2026 People’s All-Star Community Award.
