Byline: Shamus Toomey Daily Herald Staff Writer
A private group's proposal to build a massive indoor sports complex in Wheeling drew rave reviews from a village board seeing the plan for the first time Monday night.
The 130,000-square-foot complex, proposed for 14 acres in an industrial area near the southwest corner of Northgate Parkway and Lake-Cook Road, would feature an in-line hockey rink, two soccer fields and three basketball courts that would double as volleyball courts.
In addition, the building would offer indoor pitching and batting, a video arcade, two golf simulators, a pro shop, laser tag arena, food court and a sports bar and grill.
'We believe this facility is really important to the area, not just Wheeling. There's nothing like it around,' said Jeff Braiman, attorney for the joint development venture named The Fieldhouse Sport and Entertainment Center.
After being briefed on the proposal, the village board offered up its thoughts before sending the proposal to the village plan commission for further review. Of the six village trustees, four said the project was 'great,' one called it 'very good' and the sixth liked the concept.
But Village President Greg Klatecki heaped the proposal with the most praise.
'When my kids see this, they're going to be upset because we always had to travel to Palatine or Hoffman Estates to play indoor soccer,' Klatecki said. 'This is beautiful. I love it. I'm a pinballer, so I'll be in the arcade.'
The developers said admission to the complex would be free and flat rates would be charged for use. For example, a person wanting to play basketball would be charged no more than $5 for a day, said Alan Gelfand, a partner in the project.
The facility operators hope to start leagues in basketball, soccer and in-line hockey. If approved by the board, they said they hope to open by Nov. 1.
The site of the planned complex was nearly purchased by the village earlier this year in order to relocate Meyer Material Co.'s concrete producing plant. That relocation has since fallen through.
