From Landfill to Landmark: Burnsville Proposes $45M Sports Complex with Golf, Pickleball, Trails & More
In one of the boldest redevelopment proposals the Twin Cities has seen in years, Burnsville is set to reinvent a long-dormant landfill into a vibrant $45 million regional sports and entertainment destination. The project, called Big Hits at the Gateway, would transform the former Freeway Dump—just off I-35W and Cliff Road—into a multi-use complex featuring cutting-edge recreation, community event space, and environmental restoration.
A Vision Years in the Making
The site hasn’t been used as a landfill since the 1960s and has operated more recently as Chalet Golf driving range. Local developers and city leaders have been exploring ways to revitalize the space for decades. Now, with backing from LSE Architects and the team behind Suite Shots, the idea is gaining serious momentum.
Here’s What’s Coming:
100-bay, 3-level golf driving range similar to TopGolf
17 pickleball courts (9 indoor, 8 outdoor), with one stadium court for national tournaments
Event and conference space for up to 400 guests
4 indoor golf simulators, also usable for other sports like softball
Kids' playground, full-service restaurant & bar
Pollinator prairie park with nearly 10 acres of native bee and butterfly habitat
Bike and hiking trails connected to Black Dog Trail
Economic & Environmental Impact
If approved, the project will manage waste in place—similar to CHS Field and Huntington Bank Stadium—rather than removing it, reducing environmental disruption. Developers estimate it will create 200 new jobs, increase local tax revenue, and redefine Burnsville as a south metro destination.
With over 37 million vehicles passing by the site each year, the potential visibility is enormous.
Plans will be submitted to the City of Burnsville on June 16, 2025, with a Planning Commission review August 1 and City Council vote expected September 2. If all goes according to plan, this former landfill will soon be Burnsville’s crown jewel.
