Sports Complex Proposed, But Hits a Big Roadblock

A local man has proposed building a sports complex on Progress Drive, but the project may have trouble moving forward.

The Strongsville Performance Sport Center was on the Planning Commission agenda last week, seeking a conditional use permit to build a 22,786-square-foot complex with indoor batting cages, volleyball courts and other sports equipment on Progress Drive.

But it was removed from the agenda after officials discovered the land was not zoned General Industrial, as was originally thought.

Planning Secretary Carol Oprea said the parcel was rezoned Commercial Services several years ago, which poses a problem: A sports or recreation project is not allowed in that zone, even as a conditional use.

"If he wants to use the land for that purpose, he has to have it rezoned," Oprea said.

The developer, Walter Rapacz, who already purchased the land, did not return a call seeking comment.

Council President Mike Daymut said he does not know whether Rapacz is planning to seek a rezoning for the land.

"I haven't sat down and talked to him yet," Daymut said.

Also a potential stumbling block is whether Strongsville would grant a permit to build a recreational facility in an industrial park. Most cities covet industrial land because it's the only place income tax-producing manufacturing plants can locate.

"That's something we've been addressing in Strongsville for a long time," Daymut said.