Published: Thursday, August 10, 2006
Wellness center is proposed
The city will borrow the money to build the center by fall 2007.
By TIM YOVICH
NILES — Mayor Ralph A. Infante is proposing the construction of a nearly $3.7 million wellness center in Waddell Park on the city's west side.
"I think it's something the city needs," Infante said Wednesday afternoon during a roundtable discussion with city council.
Infante said that the Niles Wellness Center would not be used strictly for athletics, but would also have programs to serve all members of the community from youths to senior citizens.
The proposed site is between the pool and a small baseball field on the east side of the park.
City Auditor Neil Buccino said that if lawmakers give Infante the go-ahead, the city will borrow $4 million through the sale of a note for one year to construct the facility.
Buccino said that after the first year when it's determined how much in grant money and donations the project will receive, the city will borrow money through the sale of bonds.
Infante said he wants the facility to be open by fall 2007.
The wellness center is designed to be self-sustaining.
City residents will each pay a one-time $3 fee for a swipe card to get inside. Nonresidents will pay more, said Scott MacMillan of Niles, a member of the volunteer committee that has been working on the project and a district commissioner for Ohio Youth Soccer Association North.
MacMillan estimates that the fees charged to use the various facilities will bring in about $556,000 annually.
This will be used to pay off the loan, maintain the facility and pay the salaries of a full-time building manager and four part-time employees to operate center 15 hours a day, supporters said.
The center advisory board would consist of the mayor, auditor, city council member, park board member and five at-large members — two appointed by the mayor and five recruited by the other members.
Ed Jakubick and Tim Sexton of Jakubick/Sexton Architects of Cortland have put together a feasibility and planning study.
The building
The one-story, 70,675-square-foot structure will be constructed of steel with metal and masonry siding.
Inside, it will feature a soccer field with a four-lane rubberized track around it, an area that can be used for basketball, tennis or volleyball, three coin-operated battling cages, boccie courts, weight room, office space and conference rooms that will be rented out for meetings.
There is enough room for banquets and wedding receptions, MacMillan said.
There will be a sports store that can be operated by the manager and a snack bar that will be leased to a vendor to operate.
Jakubick said that there won't be showers because his visits to centers in Tallmadge and Erie, Pa., showed they aren't used.
Infante said he favors constructing the track because seniors won't have to go to a mall to walk.
MacMillan said that besides renting the facility to athletic teams and those who put on various athletic camps, the facility will look to sell signage space and seek corporate donations.
More Stories from Sun, Aug 13, 2006
- Milestone marked by festivities
- Old, storied buildings to undergo renovations
- 10 fire departments receive grants
- Moonflower teens let out of hospital after 2 days
- Apartments are evacuated for fire
- Director proud fair maintains livestock focus
- Nursing program director named
- Berlin Lake sets new policy for day use of campground
from vindyJOBS.com
