Ill. sports complex named for Ditka sold

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BOLLINGBROOK, Ill., April 2 (UPI) -- The new owner of a suburban Chicago sports complex bearing Mike Ditka's name said he'll renovate it and lose the former Bears coach's name.

Ditka's Sports Dome in Bollingbrook -- which includes an indoor golf driving range and putting area, and has been used for baseball, softball and soccer -- has been sold to golf course owner Jim McWethy, the Chicago Tribune reported.

McWethy closed on the property Wednesday. The Tribune did not give a purchase price.

McWethy said he turned down an offer by a representative of Ditka, the former Chicago Bears player and coach, to retain the name.

Ditka, who was not an owner of the complex, said he never received money for use of his name and had little involvement in the dome.

McWethy said the dome, which is about 10 years old, will be used for golf and dining. It is to reopen in the fall.

"We're planning to enhance the restaurant and dome to make the entire place nicer," McWethy said. "Everything is a little premature right now, but we want to make it the best indoor golf facility in the Chicago area."

He said the dome and its restaurant would be managed by staff from Mistwood Golf Club, which he owns.