Along the Lakeshore News

Great American Sports Complex previous article

The Great American Sports Complex in West Olive, Michigan was the main topic of discussion at the Port Sheldon Township Hall last evening.

With West Michigan having the opportunity to house the largest indoor sports complex of its kind east of the Mississippi, the residents in the area had many valid concerns. The supporters of the sports complex were available for an open discussion. All indications are that the facility will bring in millions of dollars a week with such a complex.

The Great American Sports Complex would like to complete Phase 1 by the end of 2008. The first phase would include a 5000 square foot indoor complex and outdoor fields. The networking of Stanton Street and Fillmore Street to better handle traffic to US31. The internal roads of the complex would be completed as necessary to the completed areas. And on going improvements as construction continues to Phase two.

Making the Great American Sports Complex as green as possible was also discussed. Wind generating power was discussed as a source for some of its power.

Safety factors were also of concern as two residents have already been fatally injured walking Stanton Street in the past few months. Bike paths and sidewalks are being proposed to prevent pedestrians from walking along the roadway.

The planning commission expressed concerns for the West Olive risidents surrounding the sports complex as to how noise control was going to be handled. The commission would like to look into additional landscaping to handle the noise. It is understood that all noise could not possibly be blocked out when night tournament games are being held at the outdoor fields.

Rezoning the area for a mixed used zone did not seem to be a big issue.

Another open meeting is scheduled next month for the Great American Sports Complex and the planning commission.