This is for personal, noncommercial use only.
Today's Front Page
Gas Buddy
Tensions continue at hearing for Magic Sports proposal
Print this Article- Font Size:
- Default font size
- Larger font size
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - Athletes staying at the proposed $275 million Magic Sports complex could play indoor baseball around the clock should bad weather wash out outdoor activities.
Magic Sports developer Ronald Nametko said the athletes would play in a more than 200,000-square-foot indoor-activity building when the facility is eventually built.
Plans for the facility in the township's business park in Mays Landing call for the complex to be built in stages. The indoor-activity building would be built during a later stage.
The information came forth during another Planning Board hearing on the proposal Thursday, with the hearing beginning as the last hearing ended - tersely.
When the project's opponents couldn't get exact answers regarding security measures and staff, both sides started bickering and interrupting each other.
"Can we put a leash on Mr. Baylinson?" project opponent Charles Cain said of Magic Sports attorney Chris Baylinson.
Baylinson told Cain he didn't appreciate the comment, adding, "I'm just trying to represent my client."
It all prompted Planning Board Chairman Gordon Dahl to sternly order, "Stop, stop right now."
It wasn't the first time during the evening that Planning Board officials stopped both sides from squabbling.
Cain earlier pressed Magic Sports officials for an exact number of security staff that would be on the premises for an event. Magic Sports officials said they couldn't provide that number.
"The event will dictate the level of security," said James Taylor, who is handling some security issues for the project. "We will have the appropriate level of security."
Nametko, growing irritated with the questioning, jumped up, approached the microphone and said, "We are not building a jail."
While Planning Board Solicitor John Rosenberger said that Magic Sports should be prepared to answer all the questions, he also chastised Cain for interrupting witnesses and urged both sides to be orderly.
"We could be here all night answering dancing questions from each witness," Rosenberger said.
"We're not going to have a free-for-all with all people jumping up and giving responses," Dahl said.
Later in the meeting, some said the plan does not include enough parking, based on how many people could stay in the project's hotel and use the associated restaurant.
They also argued that there is insufficient space for cars and other vehicles to line up when dropping off and picking up passengers, and that lack of space will block access to parking areas.
Magic Sports proposal includes:
A 242,963-square-foot indoor sports center with soccer fields and basketball courts, a sports medicine center, classrooms, radio and television broadcasting facilities and executive offices.
A 480-room hotel with conference center.
Housing and recreation areas for athletes.
A 50,024-square-foot indoor water park that would be used for athletes staying at the "bunkhouses" and customers staying at the hotel.
Three baseball fields.
A 4,000-seat, three-level baseball stadium with private "sky boxes."
Two baseball practice fields.
More than 3,400 parking spaces.
Thursday's hearing was the third consecutive meeting during which opponents spent significant time raising questions about the project.
Last month, the hearing ended with both sides arguing about which witnesses were needed to appear Friday.
E-mail Thomas Barlas:
Posted in Atlantic on Friday, July 3, 2009 3:05 am
No comments have been posted. Be the first poster!
Click here to report a comment as abusive.