U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve visited Columbus on Thursday to tour NexusPark and the Circle K Fieldhouse, meeting with Parks and Recreation Director Nikki Murphy and NexusPark Fieldhouse Manager Martavius Mims to discuss the facility’s impact and future growth.

Shreve’s tour included the fieldhouse’s multipurpose turf fields and hardwood courts, which officials highlighted as major regional attractions and revenue drivers. He also checked in on the department’s summer day camp, where children were watching a science show.

Murphy and Shreve discussed NexusPark’s emerging role as a benchmark for similar adaptive reuse projects internationally, as well as opportunities to build stronger regional partnerships. Mims briefed Shreve on seasonal differences in fieldhouse utilization and ongoing efforts to boost summer activity.

Shreve also asked about McCormick Fields inside the fieldhouse. The turf fields are named in honor of John McCormick, a former parks board member who was deeply involved in youth sports and Columbus Parks and Recreation programming. McCormick died of cancer in 2022. Following his death, a group of his friends started the John McCormick Fields and Scholarship Fund. A total of $630,000 in donations poured into the fund which helped secure turf for the fields as well as established a scholarship to help alleviate the financial burden for children to participate in Columbus Parks and Rec sponsored programming and sports.

Other topics included sports tourism, tournament scheduling to support local hotels, and the potential for future development in Midtown Columbus that will complement and bolster NexusPark.

Shreve compared Columbus’ connectivity advantages to communities elsewhere in his district, noting the economic and tourism benefits of interstate access. He offered assistance from his office as NexusPark continues to expand its reach.