Groundbreaking set for Erie County's new $50M indoor sports complex

SANDUSKY — They revealed a three-point plan on new details for a multimillion-dollar indoor sports complex primarily catering to youth basketball and volleyball players.Among the latest information Cedar Fair executives and Erie County commissioners told the Register:• By July 10, officials want to break ground on a 170,000-square-foot facility housing these activities and more next to Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center on Cleveland Road (U.S. 6). Construction should take about a year, with games possibly starting sometime in mid-to-late 2019.• The project's overall investment totals about $50 million, almost doubling an initial projection of $28 million. The funding sources largely derive from bed taxes, a fee tacked onto tourists whenever staying in area hotels, motels, lodges, Airbnb or VRBO properties, bed and breakfasts and the like. No taxpayer dollars from local government budgets will go toward this endeavor.• Executives continue searching for an operator to, among other tasks, recruit teams, schedule games and promote what's being hyped up as a state-of-the-art facility.Cedar Fair executives and Erie County commissioners believe their joint project, a $50 million indoor sports complex primarily catering to youth basketball and volleyball, can open sometime in mid-to-late 2019. An artist rendering imagines what the 170,000-square-foot facility, located beside Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center on Cleveland Road (U.S. 6), could look like.Here's a quick game plan on other details previously reported:Q: What's going inside the complex?A: Plans show:• Hardwood floors catering to 10 regulation-sized basketball courts, which can convert into 20 regulation-sized volleyball courts; A management team would market the property in hopes of enticing and then registering youth teams from across the country to play tournament games here.• A "championship arena" with retractable seating for fans to watch the game• A sports wellness center paid for, developed and supervised by Firelands Regional Medical Center• An indoor walking track, open for community use• A grand lobby, or mezzanine, with event space available to rent out for community functions• A community fitness centerPreviously, executives and officials spoke about providing "a shovel-ready site for and natatorium or aquatic center." But those developments, as of right now, have stalled. Q: What benefits would this facility deliver to Erie County?A: Initial projections show the facility attracting more than 70,000 additional visitors annually, generating:• About $20 million annually in new economic impact through tourists spending disposable income at area hotels, restaurants, stores, gas stations, attractions and more• About $700,000 annually in new tax revenues going toward local school districts, governments and other public servicesMore specifically, an indoor facility can help fill hotels, motels and lodges during winter and produce many more year-round jobs, creating "an overall improvement in the local labor market and workforce development opportunities," according to project stakeholders.An overhead shot shows where the new $50 million indoor sports complex will be located, beside Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center on Cleveland Road (U.S. 6).Q: How will the $50 million indoor sports complex be funded?A: Funding breaks down into three major components:• About $5 million is coming from Cedar Fair, Cedar Point's parent company, which is also assuming all operating risk, which includes covering any yearly operating losses. The Sandusky-headquartered corporation, which oversees Cedar Point, would also own the land and pay all related real estate taxes.• About $10 million is coming from Firelands Regional Medical Center for the sports wellness center.• The remaining amount, about $35 million, is coming from bed tax money.Erie County commissioners promised not to dedicate, spend or raise any local tax to pay for this project, largely catering to tourists.It's a similar funding mechanism to subsidizing the $23.5 million Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center outdoor facility, either exclusively or adaptable for baseball, lacrosse, soccer and softball play.Cedar Fair executives and Erie County commissioners believe their joint project, a $50 million indoor sports complex primarily catering to youth basketball and volleyball, can open sometime in mid-to-late 2019. An artist rendering imagines what the 170,000-square-foot facility, located beside Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center on Cleveland Road (U.S. 6), could look like.Q: Why is this a good deal?Those directly overseeing the project explained:• Erie County commissioner Pat Shenigo: With millions of dollars committed in private investment, and the possibility to create hundreds of new jobs, this is a huge victory for our community. This is a new segment of tourism that, before, we have not been able to take advantage of. Now, with this, we can.• Cedar Fair general counsel and executive vice president Duff Milkie: The outdoor facility opened a new segment in sports tourism, and this just further delivers upon and deepens that segment, which will continue the stream of new tourism into Erie County and make it even more of a tourist destination. We'll extend overnight stays and the season by people staying here year-round.• Erie County commissioner Matt Old: We're excited to see construction begin on this public-private partnership between Cedar Fair and Erie County. This is going to be a great opportunity for our community and tourists to share a world-class facility.Cedar Fair executives and Erie County commissioners believe their joint project, a $50 million indoor sports complex primarily catering to youth basketball and volleyball, can open sometime in mid-to-late 2019. An artist rendering imagines what the 170,000-square-foot facility, located beside Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center on Cleveland Road (U.S. 6), could look like.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.