The sports center that would give Portage a cross between a tournament and practice site and a Disney amusement park is a step closer to reality.

It may be even closer after Thursday.

The Portage Plan Commission voted to send approval of the preliminary plans and primary plat of Catalyst Lifestyles Sport Resort to the City Council at a special Thursday meeting.

Plans for the 165-acre sports complex that include multiple ball fields, a man-made lake with an island with aerial adventure towers, a campground, a hotel and three inflatable sports domes that would hold a water park, a "drive-in" theater and restaurant and a sports arena with changeable floors that can become 14 basketball courts, 30 volleyball courts, two softball fields or events -- including political conventions and weddings.

Todd Leeth, attorney for Catalyst Lifestyles, said that the site would be situated north of Interstate 80/94 and south of Marina Shores, east of Stagecoach Road, west of Indiana 249 and north of Burns Parkway.

The multiple attractions will give the families alternatives to do while tournaments go on, he added.

Developer Tony Czapla of Marina Shores in Portage, didn't speak at the meeting, but he has estimated development of the land he bought from the Portage Redevelopment Commission for $6 million will take about $75 million for him and his unnamed backers to develop.

Because Portage has no zoning specifically for a sports facility, the plans are a planned unit development divided into six parcels, three on each side of Burns Waterway.

Leeth said he doesn't foresee returning to the Plan Commission for changes except on the southern parcel where hotels and restaurants may come.

He said that the City Council must consider the plans at two meetings before voting unless the members waive the rules Thursday.

City Councilman Scott Williams, D-3rd, who's also on the Plan Commission, said he couldn't say whether the council would do that.

Catalyst would like to begin excavating sand to build the lake and island, Leeth said.

Trucks hauling sand concerned residents of Stagecoach Road.

Attorney Fred Grady, attorney for Raymond Sierra and family, said they were concerned about heavy trucks destroying not just the road, but the vibrations harming homes

Leeth said they plan to build a new road for the sand removal and some sand will go to leveling the area.

Resident Mary Ewen is concerned about eventual noise, traffic and light pollution affecting residents, and Susan Babin Johnson didn't like the proposed campground abutting her property.

Grady also said he filed an open records request for all paperwork in January but still hadn't received it all due to missing documents and the sheer volume of paperwork.

 

Source : chicagotribune.com

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