Byline: Shamus Toomey Daily Herald Staff Writer
A private group's proposal to build a massive indoor sports complex near Lake-Cook Road in Wheeling drew rave reviews from a village board seeing the plan for the first time this week.
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 seeing the proposal on paper Monday night, Wheeling's village board dished out glowing reviews before sending the project 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 most praise.
'When my (adult) 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.
Another proposed indoor soccer complex in Wheeling - a 51,000-square-foot complex at 77 W. Hintz Road approved by the board last August - has yet to be built. The developer said the plan is still alive but acknowledged they are still looking for financial backing and the property is back on the market.
