Welcome to Thrillville

Marion is a community on the rise, with transformative projects reshaping its future. This page offers a resource for the exciting new developments- featuring editorials, images, renderings, STAR Bond District details, and key infrastructure updates that highlight opportunities across tourism, entertainment, business, and recreation.

MTN DEW PARK

KOKOPELLI GOLF CLUB

MAMMOTH FIELDHOUSE

OASIS SPORTS COMPLEX

OASIS POWERSPORTS

THRILL HOUSE

star-bond-district-marion-southern-illinois

“Game Changer: Making Bigger Memories in Thrillville” – VisitSI: 2025 Williamson County Visitors Guide

Marion, Illinois, is rapidly emerging as a key player in the booming sports tourism industry with its state-of-the-art baseball stadium at Mtn Dew Park, home of the Thrillville Thrillbillies. The ballpark is just one part of a larger vision to transform ‘Thrillville’ into a vibrant destination within the city, offering unforgettable experiences for sports enthusiasts and families alike.

But Thrillville is only the beginning. The city’s ambitions extend far beyond the stadium with the introduction of the STAR Bond District (Sales Tax Alternative Revenue), a groundbreaking project poised to elevate Marion into a premier destination for tourism and commerce. Spanning approximately 720 acres along Interstate 57 and Route 13, this initiative (the first of its kind in Illinois) promises to reshape the region’s economic landscape and usher in a new era of growth for Southern Illinois.

The Oasis Sports Complex is central to the STAR Bond District, designed to cater to the growing youth athletics market. The complex will feature 12 multi-use fields for baseball, soccer, football, and lacrosse, along with an indoor dome that will accommodate a full-size soccer field convertible to baseball and softball fields. Completing this sports complex could attract up to hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, resulting in increased lodging revenue and an impressive overall economic impact.

Adjacent to the sports complex is the site of Mammoth Fieldhouse– a “Top Golf”-style venue in collaboration with Mammoth Construction, and will offer a driving range with electronically tracked balls, indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, a themed mini-golf course, and a bocce ball and bags area. This, along with a new restaurant, hotel, and variety of attractions, will ensure Thrillville remains a year-round destination for visitors of all ages.

Complementing these facilities is the ongoing development of the Oasis South Retail District, which will provide a diverse selection of shops and eateries. Meanwhile, the transformation of the former Illinois Star Centre Mall into a 350,000 sq. ft. destination retail center will bring together a unique mix of outdoor gear and equipment, alongside multiple interactive, high-adrenaline, and family-friendly entertainment options at Thrill House. These attractions will position the city of Marion as a top destination for family vacations and weekend getaways.

Strategically located and backed by the innovative STAR Bond mechanism (which reinvests a portion of sales tax revenue back into the development), this ambitious project is set to drive significant economic growth in Marion and the surrounding region. Local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues are positioned to benefit from the influx of visitors, creating a ripple effect that will enhance the economic vitality of Southern Illinois for years to come.