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Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
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Author:  -={ARCLIGHT}=- [ Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex

Bo Jackson company involved in public/private partnership

Bo knows Crown Point.

The multi-sport legend will offer his name and guidance to a new sportsplex in the city, The Bo Jackson Legacy Athletic Center, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2011, Mayor David Uran announced at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

A demonstrated passion for sports in Northwest Indiana has helped to bring plans for a new sports complex to the city in an area between North and South streets, said Jim Thompson, president of Bo Jackson Elite Sports.

"I've experienced what Indiana's passion for sports is and that is what has attracted me to that area," Thompson said. He also said he felt comfortable working with city officials and officials with the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority.

Uran said when the city approached Bo Jackson Elite Sports, it was impressed with the foundation the group builds for children in character development, educational development and athletic development.

"We went to several locations in Indiana and Illinois," Uran said. "When we build it the first time, we want to do it right the first time."

Although he was scheduled to be present at the announcement, Jackson was recovering from surgery Wednesday, Thompson said.

"Bo Jackson couldn't be here, but Bo is here," Uran said.

Crown Point created the Youth Sports Commission in 2007 to look at the youth sports needs of the city and to design a facility that could operate 12 months a year.

The partnership between Crown Point and Bo Jackson Elite Sports will be a public-to-private venture to bring the complex to a 91-acre piece of city-owned property on the former site of the city's water plant.

The location is easily accessible from two interchanges along Interstate 65 - the existing one at U.S. 231, and the one under construction at 109th Avenue. The 109th work is expected to be completed in June.

Thompson, who along with former Major League Baseball player John Cangelosi and former two-sport superstar Jackson formed the company, said the group is excited about bringing the facility to Lake County that will compete to serve as hosts for local, state, regional and national athletic tournaments.

Thompson said children in the Midwest are at a disadvantage because they really need to practice 12 months a year to be able to compete for scholarships, but the facility helps combat that problem.

Uran said the group will offer $3.4 million toward the $16 million project. The rest of the money will come from user fees and soliciting funds from sponsors, foundations and grants.

The facility will have two buildings, a 12,300-square-foot "brick and mortar" building that will house the Crown Point Parks and Recreation Department, a community room, athletic apparel store and food court. The second building will be a 155,904-square-foot dome with space for two full size baseball and softball fields, four soccer fields, four youth football fields, four full-sized basketball courts and eight full-sized volleyball courts.

At the news conference, audience members watched a fly-through of the facility created by Valparaiso's Design Organization Inc.

While a majority of the time the facility will be used for the city's youth sports programs and large tournaments, Uran also said there will be scheduled community "open gym," but those details are still in the process of being worked out.

While the facility is being built, the existing fields on North Street will remain in use, Uran said.

"Bo has fallen in love with the deal," Thompson said.
Author:  -={ARCLIGHT}=- [ Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
And at less than half the price of Gary's $32M Marquette Park "renovation".
Author:  newt_fan [ Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
What happens to the Crown Point Sports Athletic Club?
Author:  sparks [ Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
I predict that this proposed sports complex will become a huge sinkhole for taxpayer dollars just like the skating rink in St. John. Multimillion dollar sports complexes like this never generate enough cashflow to become profitable. The only person who will profit here is Bo Jackson.
Author:  -={ARCLIGHT}=- [ Sat Nov 21, 2009 1:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
sparks wrote:
I predict that this proposed sports complex will become a huge sinkhole for taxpayer dollars just like the skating rink in St. John. Multimillion dollar sports complexes like this never generate enough cashflow to become profitable. The only person who will profit here is Bo Jackson.

Optimism was never sparky's strong suit.

Any doubt he'd sing a different tune if this were to be built in Hammond?

But they don't really build things there any more.
Author:  may1846 [ Sat Nov 21, 2009 1:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
Don't under estimate what people will spend to give their kids a better chance at becoming professional athletes. It usually doesn't work out but there is no shortage of cash to spend on the "dream".
Author:  BigWhiteGuy [ Sat Nov 21, 2009 2:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
-={ARCLIGHT}=- wrote:
sparks wrote:
I predict that this proposed sports complex will become a huge sinkhole for taxpayer dollars just like the skating rink in St. John. Multimillion dollar sports complexes like this never generate enough cashflow to become profitable. The only person who will profit here is Bo Jackson.

Optimism was never sparky's strong suit.

Any doubt he'd sing a different tune if this were to be built in Hammond?

But they don't really build things there any more.
Gotta disagree. Hammond built a nice "wall" right down the middle of State Line Road, to keep the bad guys out.
Author:  karent [ Sat Nov 21, 2009 2:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
I bet Cost-us is gritting his teeth that Valpo didn't land it!
Author:  -={ARCLIGHT}=- [ Sat Nov 21, 2009 2:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
karent wrote:
I bet Cost-us is gritting his teeth that Valpo didn't land it!


Maybe they just saw CP as more "family friendly".

Certainly more so than Hammond...right sparky?
Author:  mattlap [ Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
sparks wrote:
I predict that this proposed sports complex will become a huge sinkhole for taxpayer dollars just like the skating rink in St. John. Multimillion dollar sports complexes like this never generate enough cashflow to become profitable. The only person who will profit here is Bo Jackson.


Ahhh yes ... the baseball fields in Hammond. Millions of dollars spent with little to no income generation.

It sounds like the Crown Point Sports Complex at least has a revenue generating component to the plan.

St John's Ice Arena was badly planned by St John and cost overruns and overspending doomed the project. It has done quite well as a privately owned entity however. Public recreational facilities in places like Homewood have been sustainable for years. Homewood operates a Ice Rink, Fitness Center, Tennis Club and Golf Course that have all been sustained for many years now. Other cities have also had recreational facilities that at least pay for themselves.

Crown Point and the South County area has the income to support the facility. Something that is currently impossible in Hammond.

You should go to youtube and watch the videos from his other facility in Lockport.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izwIMM2W2Yw
Author:  happy jack [ Sun Nov 22, 2009 5:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
mattlap wrote:
sparks wrote:
I predict that this proposed sports complex will become a huge sinkhole for taxpayer dollars just like the skating rink in St. John. Multimillion dollar sports complexes like this never generate enough cashflow to become profitable. The only person who will profit here is Bo Jackson.


Ahhh yes ... the baseball fields in Hammond. Millions of dollars spent with little to no income generation.


Every little thing doesn't necessarily need to generate revenue.
Some things are just good to have.
Author:  sparks [ Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
The original article that started this thread was from the Times and is not very accurate. The problem I have with so-called public/private partnerships is that the taxpayers put up most of the money and take on the risk and the private investors reap all the profits. If you read the Post-Tribune's story, you will see that Crown Point taxpayers are going to shell out 3.4 million dollars plus provide 91 acres of land for free. It is a sweet deal for Bo Jackson, but not such a good deal for taxpayers. In addition to Crown Point taxpayers footing the bill, they are going to solicit donations. It's hard to fathom why anyone would donate money to help Bo Jackson line his pockets. He didn't even bother to show up for the press conference announcing the proposal. I'm not saying the facility wouldn't be an asset to Crown Point, but I think it could be done just as well without Bo Jackson's "help".
http://www.post-trib.com/news/lake/1892714,dome-1119.article
The athletic facility will be a public/private partnership, with Bo Jackson Elite Sports putting up $3.4 million and the city providing a matching amount from the city budget, Uran said.
Author:  USMarine [ Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
splorks wrote:
It's hard to fathom why anyone would donate money to help Bo Jackson line his pockets. He didn't even bother to show up for the press conference announcing the proposal



Image

Quote:
Although he was scheduled to be present at the announcement, Jackson was recovering from surgery Wednesday, Thompson said.

"Bo Jackson couldn't be here, but Bo is here," Uran said.


http://nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/art ... a7b1d.html
Author:  -={ARCLIGHT}=- [ Sun Nov 22, 2009 11:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
sparks wrote:
The original article that started this thread was from the Times and is not very accurate. The problem I have with so-called public/private partnerships is that the taxpayers put up most of the money and take on the risk and the private investors reap all the profits. If you read the Post-Tribune's story, you will see that Crown Point taxpayers are going to shell out 3.4 million dollars plus provide 91 acres of land for free. It is a sweet deal for Bo Jackson, but not such a good deal for taxpayers. In addition to Crown Point taxpayers footing the bill, they are going to solicit donations. It's hard to fathom why anyone would donate money to help Bo Jackson line his pockets. He didn't even bother to show up for the press conference announcing the proposal. I'm not saying the facility wouldn't be an asset to Crown Point, but I think it could be done just as well without Bo Jackson's "help".
http://www.post-trib.com/news/lake/1892714,dome-1119.article
The athletic facility will be a public/private partnership, with Bo Jackson Elite Sports putting up $3.4 million and the city providing a matching amount from the city budget, Uran said.

Sportsplex spurs sunny forecast
CROWN POINT | From churches to businesses, establishments near a future city sportsplex expect the new venture will bring more traffic and commerce.

"It will do nothing but help us," said Leo Firchau, owner and operator of Beef O'Brady's, 101 E. 107th Ave. "We're looking forward to it being a great addition to the community."

Mayor David Uran on Wednesday announced the city has signed a public-private partnership with Bo Jackson Elite Sports to create the Bo Jackson Legacy Athletic Center. Uran said there is a 20-year lease and provisions for five-year extensions and out clauses if necessary.

The city currently owns the 91 acres between North and South streets just west of Broadway, where the sportsplex is to be built, and Uran said the city will retain ownership of the land after the complex is finished.

Bo Jackson Elite Sports is bringing $3.4 million to the $16 million project. Uran said there will be no increase in taxes to residents to pay for the project. He said if the city needs to issue bonds, the bonds will be repaid with revenue from the complex, such as user fees.

The complex will serve Crown Point youth sports leagues and hopefully attract national and regional tournaments, Uran said.

Firchau and Jennifer Richey, manager of Gelsosomo's Pizzeria, 11319 Broadway, said they've seen a bump in business when youth sports tournaments have come to the city and expect events at the Bo Jackson Legacy Athletic Center to continue that trend.

"I don't think it will affect us negatively at all," Richey said.

Buffalo Wild Wings, 1684 E. Summit St., also expects to see an uptick in business, and manager Abbi Bryak believes other businesses in the city will as well. Bryak said she didn't know much about Crown Point and its businesses until she began working at the restaurant and thinks others from outside the city who come to the sportsplex also will learn what the city has to offer.

"We're looking forward to it, actually," Bryak said.

Jim Killgore, the executive director of operations for Bethel Church, 10202 Broadway, said the sportsplex sounds like a positive step for the community and it's possible the church could see attendance increase from teams who travel to the complex for tournaments.

"It's a great way to bring people to the community," he said.

Posted in Lake on Sunday, November 22, 2009 12:05 am Updated: 1:19 am. | Tags: Indiana, Business, Celebrities, Crown Point, Sports
Author:  sparks [ Sun Nov 22, 2009 6:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Crown Point lands sprawling sports complex
-={ARCLIGHT}=- wrote:
sparks wrote:
The original article that started this thread was from the Times and is not very accurate. The problem I have with so-called public/private partnerships is that the taxpayers put up most of the money and take on the risk and the private investors reap all the profits. If you read the Post-Tribune's story, you will see that Crown Point taxpayers are going to shell out 3.4 million dollars plus provide 91 acres of land for free. It is a sweet deal for Bo Jackson, but not such a good deal for taxpayers. In addition to Crown Point taxpayers footing the bill, they are going to solicit donations. It's hard to fathom why anyone would donate money to help Bo Jackson line his pockets. He didn't even bother to show up for the press conference announcing the proposal. I'm not saying the facility wouldn't be an asset to Crown Point, but I think it could be done just as well without Bo Jackson's "help".
http://www.post-trib.com/news/lake/1892714,dome-1119.article
The athletic facility will be a public/private partnership, with Bo Jackson Elite Sports putting up $3.4 million and the city providing a matching amount from the city budget, Uran said.

Sportsplex spurs sunny forecast
CROWN POINT | From churches to businesses, establishments near a future city sportsplex expect the new venture will bring more traffic and commerce.

"It will do nothing but help us," said Leo Firchau, owner and operator of Beef O'Brady's, 101 E. 107th Ave. "We're looking forward to it being a great addition to the community."

Mayor David Uran on Wednesday announced the city has signed a public-private partnership with Bo Jackson Elite Sports to create the Bo Jackson Legacy Athletic Center. Uran said there is a 20-year lease and provisions for five-year extensions and out clauses if necessary.

The city currently owns the 91 acres between North and South streets just west of Broadway, where the sportsplex is to be built, and Uran said the city will retain ownership of the land after the complex is finished.

Bo Jackson Elite Sports is bringing $3.4 million to the $16 million project. Uran said there will be no increase in taxes to residents to pay for the project. He said if the city needs to issue bonds, the bonds will be repaid with revenue from the complex, such as user fees.

In my experience, when politicians spend money and claim taxes won't go up,they're lying. Taxpayers were told the same thing about the St John skating rink and ending up spending millions settling lawsuits related to that white elephant. It was finally sold for about 20 cents on the dollar. Given Crown Point's recent fiasco with Plasmatronics, I'd be very skeptical of this project.
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