Indoor sports complex proposed

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Indoor sports complex proposed

By DANIEL WALSH Staff Writer, 856-649-2074

Published: Friday, October 10, 2008

A Millville architect has proposed an indoor sports complex in Hopewell Township that, if built, would be one of the largest in southern New Jersey.

KBA Architects proposed a 200,000-square-foot facility for the Hopewell Business Park before Wednesday's deadline set by township officials. The complex, which remains only conceptual in nature, would include indoor soccer fields and basketball and tennis courts and be open to numerous sports.

Township officials sought proposals for the business park last month, seeking three scenarios: a retail center, a sports complex and an assisted-care facility. They didn't expect a proposal as ambitious as the one KBA put forth, Mayor Bruce Hankins said Friday.

"This is all preliminary, but we're really excited about it," Hankins said.

KBA led the only group to submit proposals, but they came through with two of them. The firm also proposed an assisted-care facility spanning about 36,000 square feet.

Hopewell Township owns the land at the business park, which currently is home to a Newfield National Bank branch and the West Cumberland Senior Center. If township officials like a particular proposal, they could advertise for bids on the land and select one with a vision aligned with their own.

"The township owns it, so that gives us latitude to say yes or no on what goes in there," Township Administrator Ted Ritter said.

Should the sports complex be built, it would likely be the largest of its kind in southwestern New Jersey. There are similar complexes in Cherry Hill and Egg Harbor City. Township leaders are still reviewing the proposals and there are no plans to sell the land just yet.

The business park opened about eight years ago. Since then, township officials have rejected about a half-dozen entreaties for businesses that didn't fit their goals for the business park, Ritter said. They have sought what they view as secure ratables that will provide a large number of steady jobs.

E-mail Daniel Walsh:

DWalsh@pressofac.com