The price tag has risen by more than $1 million, but plans for anindoor sports complex in the Town of Hamburg are progressing, with aNov. 1 opening date now projected.
The $6.5 million, 90,000-square-foot facility will feature adriving range and baseball, soccer and lacrosse fields on a 16-acresite on Commerce Place, off Camp Road.
No objections were voiced during a public hearing Tuesdayconducted by the Hamburg Industrial Development Agency, which isconsidering tax incentives that could total close to $500,000 over15 years.
The IDA won't vote on the incentives until after the townPlanning Board rules on whether a full environmental impactstatement will be required. That decision -- expected to be that afull impact statement is not required -- is expected May 19.
Philip Christ is president and Jeffrey Walker vice president ofSouth Towns Sports Complex, LLC. Four other partners have been linedup who prefer to remain unnamed, Walker said. They include a currentNational Hockey League player who lives in the area.
Plans call for indoor miniature golf, a putting green and a 50-station, two-tier driving range, with seven devices thatautomatically place the ball on the tee.
The baseball field will be 225 feet down the first and third baselines and 300 feet to center field. At it highest point, the roofwill be 85 feet high.
Plans also call for a restaurant, pro shop, conference room andbanquet room.
Outdoors there will be miniature golf, a putting green and adriving range with 30 to 35 stalls.
Walker emphasized after the hearing that the structure 'is not adome,' which is air-supported, but rather a steel frame with afabric cover.
The company is in the process of selling the naming rights andhas run into what he termed a small problem with the ThruwayAuthority, which restricts the size of signs near the highway.Walker said the company is working to resolve the issue.
The project carried a $5 million cost estimate when firstannounced in September.
IDA members indicated support for the project.
'I'm very excited about it and believe there is a demand for it,'Kathleen C. Hochul, a Hamburg Town Board member, said.
Michael Bartlett, IDA executive director, said the tax incentiveswould involve property tax abatements, an exemption from sales taxand, if there is a mortgage, an exemption from the 1 percentmortgage transfer tax.
The land currently is vacant and not providing significant taxrevenue, he said.
e-mail: ternst@buffnews.com
