Will Erie County build an indoor sports complex?

Didn't Sharon and the Watchdogs put the roadblock/kabosh on this plan?

Older people don't realize the amount of money there is in Youth sports now. A huge indoor sports venue could bring in massive amounts of money.

Say Whhaaaaatttt?

Local politicians putting a stop to money making plans? Say it ain't so!!

Biz,

Be the first to step forward and donate a million dollars to the project. Keep your hands out of my pockets.

Biz ,
I live in Erie County. This project is to help hotels and restaurants fill their establishments. Let them chip in. It's not just the responsibility of taxpayers.

Biz ,
You going to force people to go to the gym?

What don't you want the government to do for you ?

Do you have any self esteem? Can you be responsible anything in your life ?

The government supplies food , housing , utilities, transportation , education, and now recreation. Oops, I forgot communication .

Biz,

We are poar opposite. I believe in personal responsibility . You believe the government needed to supply everything for everyone.

Do you believe the government should put private industry out of business? You are advocating that philosophy with a government subsidized recreation facility to replace local private gyms.

So you advocate the government putting private industry out of business ? What do you think a government recreation center will to local gyms and health clubs that provide a similar service?

Just like the hurt SPARC is putting to local taxi services in the area.

City run rec centers work all over the country along side of private gyms. Plus this thread is about a sports center with massive indoor facilities for team sports.

I still see the same taxis around town that have been here since i moved to the area. Public transportation is vital for a community to grow.

I would love to have a rec center. Sandusky is one of the few cities around without one. I went to the rec in bellevue for my nephew basketball game and was empressed.

On a recent trip, I stayed in a hotel where add-on taxes (Tourist, Local, State, Room) placed an additional 12% onto the price of my room.

Why not pile on the taxes and help kill the tourism industry while under the illusion that "others" will pay for and help maintain the expense of a new complex?

If the locals want it, let them pay for it. Float a bond.

Secondly, let's see an objective and comprehensive cost-benefit analysis for the construction of this center without all the "pie in the sky" emotionalism.

Not a taxpayer will object to development as long as their tax dollars are not being used. If the hotel owners want a rec center, let them pay for it because they are the ones getting rich from the project. What I don't want to see is the county putting a tax and burden onto the taxpayer to pay for something that most of us won't use. The rec center will be built for out of towners to bring in their tournaments. The county cannot place that kind of burden on the taxpayer when budgets are so tight. If the the Erie County tourism agency can spend millions on entrance signs from the bed tax, they can build the center.

I agree with Darkhorse.

I have no objections to an indoor sports complex. In fact, I'd support its development! What I will NOT support is still more tax dollars going to fund things that aren't strictly necessary.

If the hotels/motels, tourism bureau, etc. can come up with a funding mechanism for the project that will provide all of the benefits mentioned here WITHOUT hurting taxpayers (and yes, that includes Cedar Point, which too many locals seem to think can be taxed to death just because it's a big draw), then I'm all for it. Otherwise, it'll just have to wait.

Consider what a normal responsible person does in connection with their own household budget: Are big screen TVs and new cars nice? Heck, yes! I could use those things myself (especially the latter). But if you need the money to do other things (like pay the mortgage or buy groceries), then any responsible person would watch their old TV and drive their old car awhile longer.

Sadly, "responsible" isn't a word people use all that often in connection with government entities, ESPECIALLY where money is concerned!

Tourism is one of the best and few sustainable local industries we have in this general area. However for most businesses it is currently only a 3 month seasonal industry. With that in mind...I could see Sandusky, Erie County and beyond get a sizeable economic benefit if that season could be extended to a year-long situation. People WILL come here in the off-season as is demonstrated by our indoor waterparks and "if" other new types facilities and attractions are provided. Although we don't have the natural beauty of Gatlinburg (Tn.)we could still strive to emulate their year round success story by capitalizing on what we already have and expand it through smart decision making. That requires intelligent ideas, honest and open communication, sincere dedication and unified goals for the good of all.

I was told by the superintendent of Perkins schools that the pool, indoor walking track and gymnasium of the new school will be available to the community for their use day and night. Also, a private entrance which keeps the public from the children during school hours. Sandusky school offers their facilities for a large diverse use. The YMCA is a taxpayer funded facility.

We need another taxpayer funded recreational facility in our community like another hole in our head.

If its purpose is to increase business let business fund the project. If the project makes sense Kalahari will build it and make money.