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Rockford Park District

Rockford Park District

Posted On: November 24, 2020

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Surprise! Largest building on Mercyhealth Sportscore Two Campus now named after retired Executive Director Tim Dimke. Since 2017, the 133,000-square-foot sports building situated to the east of the existing Indoor Sports Center (ISC) was known as the "mega center” or “Field 3” but will now be called Dimke Field. Tim retired in 2017 but expanding Mercyhealth Sportscore Two campus was a legacy project that he spearheaded as part of Reclaiming First, an effort to retain, regain, and grow sports tourism. Thank you Tim!

“Anyone who walks into this facility is always amazed but then when they walk into Dimke Field their jaw drops. These multi-use turf fields set us apart and it’s all thanks to Tim. He knew the opportunities would be endless for soccer, softball, baseball, football, lacrosse, and other turf field related programs to take place here. When weather is a factor outside many turn to us so the games and practices can go on, prior to COVID-19 that is,” said Mercyhealth Sportscore Complex Manager Louis Mateus.

“One of the crowning achievements of Tim’s long career is the building of Mercyhealth Sportscore Two, and it is fitting that the largest buildings on the campus be named in his honor. It was Tim’s vision and determination that made Mercyhealth Sportscore Two a reality, and Rockford should be proud that they have this world-class sports complex right in their backyard,” Javon Bea, President/CEO of Mercyhealth.

“Tim worked diligently to receive an unprecedented level of intergovernmental and regional collaboration to support a comprehensive plan to enhance and enlarge this top tourist destination and build UW Health Sports Factory,” said Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners President Scott Olson.

“There are certain leaders who stand out as legends in the field of parks and recreation, and Tim Dimke is most definitely one of them,” said Peter Murphy, President and CEO of the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD). “During his remarkable 44-year career at the Rockford Park District, his countless accomplishments were outweighed only by his dedicated work ethic, spirited enthusiasm, and exceptional ability to motivate and inspire others to greatness. He has left an indelible impact on Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation, and recreation agencies, and on behalf of the entire IAPD membership, we congratulate him on this well-deserved honor.”

“Tim was a visionary leader who impacted our community greatly. He was ahead of his peer’s years ago as he understood the positive impact a facility like Mercyhealth Sportscore Two could have on our families and our economy. As a result, we now have a sports campus that is unmatched in the Midwest; one that has put our community on the map. Thanks to his leadership this facility now brings record amounts of people and economic value to our community,” said Illinois State Senator Dave Syverson.

“Beyond Tim’s accomplishments of award winning facilities and projects, I personally value and appreciate the many young leaders he has developed, mentored and supported throughout his entire career. Tim filled a critical role in my life as a young man and a young professional, and it’s an honor to call him a mentor and more importantly my friend,” said Rockford Park District Executive Director Jay Sandine.

Former EIU classmate and friend Tommy Meeks stated, “I have known Tim Dimke since we were in 8th grade at Wilson Junior High School. We are really brothers from different mothers. I have never met a person that worked as hard as Tim. He motivated me to achieve my dreams and he motivated others to help him create this complex for all of us to enjoy. This building deserves his name.”


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