The Musco Sports Center has been selected as one of 16 statewide finalists competing for the 2026 People’s All-Star Community Award, and Muscatine residents can help determine whether the project advances.
The award is part of the Iowa League of Cities’ All-Star Community Awards program, which recognizes innovative local government projects across Iowa. Unlike the program’s other awards, the People’s Award is decided entirely through public voting on social media.
The bracket-style competition began Monday, Aug. 3, on the Iowa League of Cities Facebook page. New matchups are posted each Monday at 11 a.m. in a dedicated photo album. To vote, users simply “like” the photo of their preferred project.
Muscatine’s Musco Sports Center is matched against Harmony Garden in Storm Lake in the opening round. The project receiving the most likes will advance to the Elite 8.
Voting Schedule
- Round 1: Voting ends Aug. 14
- Elite 8: Voting runs Aug. 17-28
- Final round: Voting concludes during the Iowa League of Cities Annual Conference & Exhibit in September
- Winner: Announced at the awards banquet
Musco Sports Center Brings Year-Round Recreation to Muscatine
The 122,000-square-foot Musco Sports Center is the largest inflatable sports facility in Iowa and was designed to provide year-round athletic and recreational opportunities for the community.
For years, winter weather limited training and shortened sports seasons for local athletes, often requiring teams to travel to find indoor facilities. The Musco Sports Center provides a local option for sports, tournaments and community events.
The facility features:
- A full-size turf field for football, soccer, baseball and softball
- Dedicated pickleball and court-based activity areas
- Flexible space for tournaments, expos, car shows, quilt shows and other 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.”
The project represents a significant community investment and supports youth athletics, recreation, economic development and quality of life in Muscatine.
How to Vote
Muscatine residents and supporters can visit the Iowa League of Cities Facebook page, find the opening-round matchup featuring the Musco Sports Center and Storm Lake’s Harmony Garden, and click “like” on the photo of the Musco Sports Center interior.
The project with the most likes advances to the Elite 8. Every vote can help Muscatine move closer to the 2026 People’s All-Star Community Award.
