Jay
09-09-2008, 03:41 PM
PARKERSBURG -Local investors have reached their goal to raise funds for a proposed athletic facility.
"We hit our initial July 1 goal, raising over $900,000 to begin moving dirt," said Bart Beckley, one of the developers of the site.
The E.L.I.T.E. (Every Lesson Inspires Teamwork, Effort) All Sports Center is to be located on the site of the former Classic Golf Course. A few weeks ago Beckley and brothers Terry and Joe Crislip met with the Wood County Commission. The developers told the commission they needed an additional $150,000, by July to make the project a reality.
The price tag for the project has jumped from $1.2 million, to $1.5 million to $1.8 million, according to Crislip.
"We expanded a little bit, with a soccer facility with turf, so the amount of money needed went up a little more," he said.
Beckley said the project has almost 40 investors. Pars Neurosurgical Associates committed $300,000 to the addition of a 9,000-square-foot indoor soccer center.
"We want it to become wholly community owned," he said.
Terry Crislip said with the $900,000 in startup and a $750,000 line of credit from a bank, the project is set to begin. The developers would like to raise another $150,000 to fully finance their concept.
"We are still looking for potential owners in the company," Crislip said. "Ideally, we want to borrow as little as possible."
In addition to the soccer center, Crislip said the facility will house two full-court basketball courts and a 94-foot court down the middle. The area can also be set up for volleyball, soccer and wrestling. Beckley said there will be seating for about 800 people.
He downplayed the notion of competition with the YMCA and Family Fitness Center.
"Our focus is events, not memberships," Beckley said. "We are trying to work in conjunction with the Y and Family Fitness."
Crislip said the facility will adjust its sports to reflect area interests. They haven't ruled out a demand for gymnastics, cheerleading or wrestling.
To construct the building above the area's floodplain, Crislip said a lake adjacent to the building will be carved out. The dirt from the lake will be used to raise the base of the building above the floodplain.
"They building itself will be above the floodplain," Beckley stressed.
Crislip said he has spoken with Mayor Bob Newell and Wood County Commissioner Bob Tebay about donating the lake and some surrounding property to the local government for a beautification area - possibly a park.
The developers plan to break ground on a 27,000-square-foot athletic facility within the next few weeks. Crislip is hoping work will being next week, with the intent to have it open by the end of the year. Beckley said they would have to secure some permits to begin work on the site.
"The big dirt moving will be after the permits get approved," he said.
"We hit our initial July 1 goal, raising over $900,000 to begin moving dirt," said Bart Beckley, one of the developers of the site.
The E.L.I.T.E. (Every Lesson Inspires Teamwork, Effort) All Sports Center is to be located on the site of the former Classic Golf Course. A few weeks ago Beckley and brothers Terry and Joe Crislip met with the Wood County Commission. The developers told the commission they needed an additional $150,000, by July to make the project a reality.
The price tag for the project has jumped from $1.2 million, to $1.5 million to $1.8 million, according to Crislip.
"We expanded a little bit, with a soccer facility with turf, so the amount of money needed went up a little more," he said.
Beckley said the project has almost 40 investors. Pars Neurosurgical Associates committed $300,000 to the addition of a 9,000-square-foot indoor soccer center.
"We want it to become wholly community owned," he said.
Terry Crislip said with the $900,000 in startup and a $750,000 line of credit from a bank, the project is set to begin. The developers would like to raise another $150,000 to fully finance their concept.
"We are still looking for potential owners in the company," Crislip said. "Ideally, we want to borrow as little as possible."
In addition to the soccer center, Crislip said the facility will house two full-court basketball courts and a 94-foot court down the middle. The area can also be set up for volleyball, soccer and wrestling. Beckley said there will be seating for about 800 people.
He downplayed the notion of competition with the YMCA and Family Fitness Center.
"Our focus is events, not memberships," Beckley said. "We are trying to work in conjunction with the Y and Family Fitness."
Crislip said the facility will adjust its sports to reflect area interests. They haven't ruled out a demand for gymnastics, cheerleading or wrestling.
To construct the building above the area's floodplain, Crislip said a lake adjacent to the building will be carved out. The dirt from the lake will be used to raise the base of the building above the floodplain.
"They building itself will be above the floodplain," Beckley stressed.
Crislip said he has spoken with Mayor Bob Newell and Wood County Commissioner Bob Tebay about donating the lake and some surrounding property to the local government for a beautification area - possibly a park.
The developers plan to break ground on a 27,000-square-foot athletic facility within the next few weeks. Crislip is hoping work will being next week, with the intent to have it open by the end of the year. Beckley said they would have to secure some permits to begin work on the site.
"The big dirt moving will be after the permits get approved," he said.