The tip-off: Crews break ground on indoor sports facility

SANDUSKY — Pursuing a multimillion-dollar youth athletic complex in Erie County truly took a team effort, requiring cooperation from players on two teams who, at times, fiercely compete with one another.Though leaders in the area's private and public sectors understood they must "play ball" to achieve a shared aspiration.During an event Tuesday, key representatives involved in the Cedar Point Sports Center Indoor Sports Facility and Lee C. Jewett Sports Medicine Center offered words, dug shovels and scooped dirt in ceremonial fashion.Key supporters and stakeholders participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Cedar Point Sports Center Indoor Sports Facility and Lee C. Jewett Sports Medicine Center Tuesday on Cleveland Road (U.S. 6) beside Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center.A groundbreaking ceremony took place at this project's future home and beside its sister site: Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center on Cleveland Road (U.S. 6).The forthcoming facility — which could, at its fullest potential, total $50 million and more than 200,000 square feet when it debuts sometime in mid-to-late 2019 — represents a continued regional effort in enticing more people to Erie County by embracing a relatively new sport-related tourism segment."We are poised to take the next step in realizing our goal of creating a one-of-a-kind facility that will draw additional visitation to our area, be available to our local communities for their use and enjoyment and solidify Erie County's position as a major youth sports center in the Midwest and America's sports-family-fun capital," said Duff Milkie, Cedar Fair's general counsel and executive vice president.Cedar Fair's executive vice president and general counsel Duff Milkie thanks all of the organizations involved in planning the Cedar Point Sports Center Indoor Sports Facility and Lee C. Jewett Sports Medicine Center during Tuesday's groundbreaking ceremony. Milkie also credited several entities — they include the Erie County commissioners, Sandusky officials, state Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton, state Sen. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, Firelands Regional Medical Center, Lake Erie Shores & Islands, Cedar Point and Cedar Fair — for all playing large roles in pushing this project forward. For instance, Firelands Regional Medical Center will pay for, construct and supervise all medical center aspects. Upon opening, people — from locals to those playing games at either complex — can go there for sports medicine, orthopedic, physical therapy, speech therapy and other services.A monetary gift coming from Lee and Sandra Jewett should cover a good chunk of this $11 million expense. Lee previously worked for Firelands Regional Health System, Cedar Point and Cedar Fair."Transformational gifts like Lee's and Sandra's are typically given to causes close to your heart," Firelands' development director Alice Springer said. "Nothing could be closer to their hearts than leaving a lasting legacy to improve the health of children and adults in a magnificent facility that promotes wellness and is operated by none other than Cedar Fair and Firelands Regional Health System, both organizations Lee has provided exceptional leadership for over the years."Donor Lee Jewett listens to Tuesday's presentation during the groundbreaking ceremony for Cedar Point Sports Center Indoor Sports Facility and Lee C. Jewett Sports Medicine Center. Lee and Sandra Jewett should cover a majority of this $11 million expense.Erie County commissioner Pat Shenigo called the convergence of several organizations "something truly special.""We should all be very proud," Shenigo said. "It really was a collaborative effort of so many people. When governments and private industry come together, good things happen."Questions and answersQ: What's being built at 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, open for community use• An indoor walking track, open for community use• A grand lobby, or mezzanine, with event space available to rent out for community functions• The possibility for a state-of-the art 28,000-square-foot, state-of-the art community fitness centerCedar Point vice president and general manager Jason McClure addresses the crowd gathered for the groundbreaking of the Cedar Point Sports Center Indoor Sports Facility and Lee C. Jewett Sports Medicine Center on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. 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.• Opportunities exist for local schools, area sports leagues, the YMCA, the Boys & Girls Club of America and other community organizations to use the facility during non-peak times.• The medical center invites locals inside to receive services for sports medicine, orthopedic, physical therapy, speech therapy and other services.Community leaders gather for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Cedar Point Sports Center Indoor Sports Facility and Lee C. Jewett Sports Medicine Center on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. Making sense of the dollars and centsAt its fullest potential, the total cost for Cedar Point Sports Center Indoor Sports Facility and Lee C. Jewett Sports Medicine Center equals $50 million. The finances break down into three related areas:1. The indoor facility at $28 million, with:• $5 million 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.• $23 million coming from Erie County through bed tax money, a fee assessed onto people, mostly tourists, whenever staying in area hotels, motels, lodges, Airbnb or VRBO properties, bed and breakfasts and the like.2. The sports medicine center at $11 million, with money coming from the hospital and donations3. The remaining amount, at $11 million, raised by the Sandusky Area YMCA for a state-of-the art, 28,000-square-foot community fitness center.Source: Cedar FairReach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.