After about a decade of developing a concept into a reality, Peoria Public Schools District 150 has its new domed athletic practice facility alongside Peoria Stadium.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning held in conjunction with the Peoria Public Schools Foundation’s annual breakfast fundraiser marked the final step ahead of the $12.3 million dome’s opening.
“It’s taken us a long, long, long time, so it’s very nice to see closure so that the kids can actually have something—a state-of-the-arts facility to train and compete,” said Superintendent Sharon Kherat. “So it’s rewarding and fulfilling.”
The all-purpose dome is built on land just north of the football field and track on the district-owned Peoria Stadium property. Covering more than 140,000 square feet and reaching 90 feet in height, the dome with a synthetic turf field will support football, soccer, baseball, softball and golf training.
“This is unique in terms of schools having a facility like this,” said State Sen. Dave Koehler. “I don’t know of any other [district] in the state of Illinois where this is connected to another school.
“Congratulations to Peoria Public Schools for having the vision to create this kind of recreational space to really give students more purpose in their education and just what they want to achieve in life,” he said.
Mayor Rita Ali said she was “blown away” at seeing the dome for the first time.
“It’s impressive; I mean, it’s massive. It can be used for so much,” said Ali. “This is an amazing, multi-million dollar collaboration that actually happened. A lot of people didn’t believe it was going to happen, but it’s here.”
Kherat said PPS initially began to consider the idea of a dome when the possibility of a shopping center at the location emerged.
“The community, they were not very happy about just even hearing about the idea of possibly a Walmart,” said Kherat. “When I came in 2015, we had lots of conversation with them and we asked what they envisioned. And we were all on the same page about reinvesting in the kids, in the athletic arena. And so we did.”
The entire $19 million project included upgrades to the 130-year-old stadium, with state funding accounting for about $8 million.
“The mission of Peoria Public Schools is so aggressive and really innovative, and being able to bring the resources from the state to help in this kind of facility Is just as an important partnership,” said Koehler, who was joined by State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth in helping to secure the state grant money.
“It really takes all of us, whether it’s a local community, whether it’s state government, to help make things like this happen, and this is going to be a facility that’s used from here on out.”
Gordon-Booth told those in attendance that she “could not be more proud” of the district and its community partners for seeing the dome plans come to fruition.
“I cannot wait to come here as a spectator and support our children as they have the opportunity to be active in a state-of-the-art dome, because they deserve more. Our kids deserve the very best, this community deserves the very best,” she said.
Kherat honored ahead of retirement
Kherat, who presented the event’s keynote address, was recognized for her 11-year tenure as she prepares to retire from her role at the end of the current academic year.
“It’s been a labor of love, and I’ve enjoyed every step of the way. Leadership is temporary but impact is a legacy, and we have to continue to make an impact. That’s very, very important,” said Kherat, emphasizing the hard work of her administrative team in helping her guide the district.
“Dr. Kherat has been the absolute best superintendent in all my 50 years that I’ve been here, and she’s done an outstanding job,” said Koehler. “It’s going to be hard for those that follow, because she set a very high, high bar.
“She’s wonderful, she’s very, very personal, as you can tell by listening to her. She’s passionate about education, about what she does, about the students. Her love for the students really is what drives her and makes Peoria Public Schools the success that it is.”
Ali pointed to significant improvement in proficiency scores at almost all Peoria schools as a testament to Kherat’s impact.
“She’s been a transformative leader. If you look at the results that have happened from 2015 to 2025, it’s amazing,” said Ali. “When she started this job, there were so many schools that were deficient and not meeting the state guidelines. Now today, I think there was only one school that you know was not proficient or meeting requirements, and that was, I think, by one point.
“But next year, I think all of them will meet the goal, thanks to her leadership and her team.”
