Officials in Fall River believe they have a sporting chance at building a
regional athletic complex in the city after the state recently agreed to
finance a $100,000 feasibility study for such a plan.
A Boston consultant was hired last month by the Massachusetts Department
of Environmental Management to look at the proposed sports complex,
which would include soccer fields, skating rinks and a swimming pool.
The city is hoping to tap into $5 million in state funds that were set
aside during its failed attempt to woo the Pawtucket Red Sox there three
years ago. The project is expected to cost between $10-$12 million and
will call for private funding.
“The feasibility study is a big step in making this project a reality,”
said Kenneth Fiola, executive vice president of the Fall River Office
of Economic Development. “The (six-month) study will determine whether
there is in fact a need for this in the South Coast community.”
Sports complexes, particularly indoor, have been popping up throughout
the region, including two new ventures in Dartmouth, Mass. and in Rhode
Island. The Dartmouth Sports Dome opened last year while the Rhode
Island-based company InSports plans to expand its six-year-old operation
throughout the Northeast.
The success of such developments can be linked to the rapid growth of
youth soccer in the nation as well as hockey and inline hockey. Most
communities have welcomed such complexes, because of the resource it
provides for residents.
“One reason we support this is that it improves our image outside the city. This also adds to the quality of life in a community.”-Kenneth Fiola,Fall River OED
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“One reason we support this is that it improves our image outside the
city. This also adds to the quality of life in a community,” Fiola said.
He said the need for a sports complex can be seen within Fall River,
where there are strong soccer leagues, but very poor playing fields. He
added that it is nearly impossible to get ice time at the city’s only
ice skating rink, Driscoll Arena, which he said is antiquated.
“The soccer fields and swimming pool would most definitely draw people
from throughout Bristol County (Mass). However, anyone who has a child
playing hockey can testify to the fact that you travel not only
throughout the state, but New England to play,” Fiola said.
Fall River Mayor Edward M. Lambert, Jr. said the state must see some
merit in the proposal to spend $100,000 examining the issue.
“The beginning of the feasibility study is an important signal that the
project is gaining momentum,” Lambert said. He added that because it
would be a regional center it should bring with it support beyond Fall
River.
Horwath Landauer Associates of Boston, one of the country’s largest
hospitality and recreation consultants, could ultimately decide whether
the demand for a complex would support the Fall River project.
The feasibility report will look at potential sites, existing and future
demands of such facilities, financing, case studies of similar projects
and design.
Fiola said the first question of location has not been determined. He
said potential properties include the former municipal airport, land at
the former Shell Gas site on North Main Street and an area of former
textile mills off Rodman Street and Plymouth Avenue.
As for funding, Fiola said there is $5 million in state bond money that
was approved in 1996 for a stadium that could have housed the Pawtucket
Red Sox, which at the time needed a larger stadium under league
regulations. Ben Mondor, the owner of the Pawtucket Red Sox, eventually
decided to rebuild most of the ballpark to meet the seating
requirements.
“When that fell through we wanted to find a way to utilize that money.
This project appears to be a way to do that,” Fiola said.
The $5 million could be given as a grant to a private developer willing
to match the $5 million to build the complex.
“We believe there is an appetite for a private developer. We have been
contacted by some entities that have displayed interest,” he said.
Fiola said along with the fields, pool and rinks the complex will have a
privately run concession stand and sports shop.
Peter Hawes, co-owner of The Dartmouth Sports Dome, said the prospect of
another sports complex – just 10 minutes away – doesn’t scare him.
“I don’t think it will hurt us. I think the more facilities that are
available, the more people will participate. I think we will complement
each other,” said Hawes.
He also pointed out that his 24-acre complex wouldn’t be in direct
competition, because it offers different activities. In addition to
soccer fields, the one-year-old business has indoor and outside golf
driving ranges, inline hockey rinks, volleyball courts, batting cages
and softball fields.
Hawes believes a sports complex can thrive if the owners learn how to
diversify.
“I don’t think it will hurt us. I think the more facilities that are available, the more people will participate.”-Peter Hawes,Dartmouth Sports Dome
For example, his dome is not only marketing toward leagues and families,
but conventions and corporate functions.
“We can use over 60,000 square feet in the inline hockey rink for booths
used in conventions. At the same time we can have the driving range
available,” Hawes said. “We can meet the needs of a variety of interests
within a region.”
InSport, which currently has a sports complex in Lincoln and
Northborough, Mass., has its eye on introducing a grander concept
throughout the Northeast.
Robert P. Kermes, co-president of the company, said InSports has a joint
venture agreement with a firm based in New York to develop 30 complexes
between Boston and Washington, D.C.
Each site will be based on a prototype that will include a sports
complex – i.e. indoor soccer, basketball, inline hockey – as well as a
wellness center, restaurant chain, day care provider and retail related
businesses.
“It is a lifestyle enhancement center,” Kermes asserted. “We are trying
to create an entertainment experience for everybody. For example, a son
can go to a birthday party here while the dad goes to the wellness
center and mom checks out the retail shop. Then later they can all meet
for lunch at the restaurant.”
Kermes said the sports complex business is a costly one and fiercely
competitive.
“We view competition as anything you can do with your
recreational/entertainment dollars,” he said. “Whether it’s going to a
movie, a concert or a minor league hockey game or basketball game it’s
our competition.”
