MANSFIELD — The YMCA of North Central Ohio is considering building a $10 million indoor soccer complex in Richland County. A feasibility study is in progress.
We believe the facility would draw thousands annually to our area for Ohio and multi-state soccer tournaments, local team play, and training,” said YMCA CEO Cristen Gilbert.
“It would have a significant positive community impact on the economic vitality of our region, helping to fill local hotels and restaurants on weekends.”
Gilbert said adding a multi-field indoor soccer complex to the Mansfield area could bring in millions of dollars from visitors annually to our local economy, based on projections of their spending at hotels, restaurants, gas stations, retail businesses, and more.
Sales tax revenue for our local governments will be provide a positive gain as well, she added.
“Currently, our community is losing dollars to other communities that have these mega soccer complexes, such as in Medina and Columbus, so we applaud the YMCA’s effort to determine the feasibility of creating a soccer complex for Richland County,” said Lee Tasseff, president of Destination Mansfield.
“In the future, a new indoor soccer complex here would retain those dollars and attract more dollars to the community,” Tasseff said, referring to the 300 or more local families of soccer players who travel throughout central and northern Ohio for team competition year-round at indoor sites.
A study is now underway to consider the feasibility of the soccer complex project that could cost as much as $10 million. A questionnaire for public input has been available on the Y’s website (MansfieldY.org) since Feb. 18.
Nearly 350 people have already responded with 95 percent in favor of the proposal, Gilbert said.
“We encourage anyone in our area with interest in soccer and/or economic development to take our short on-line survey as we consider designing this project around community input,” Gilbert said.
In addition to the questionnaire on the Y’s website, the feasibility study includes meeting with area soccer families, soccer associations, community leaders, political officials, and potential donors. An economic impact study also will be conducted. Study results will be announced by late summer.
“If we determine it’s feasible to move forward with a soccer complex, we will then consider viable locations in Richland County that are close to interstate highways and feature hotels, restaurants, and stores, in general,” Gilbert said.
A task force of community members is planning the feasibility considerations for the indoor soccer complex. Members are Edward Akinyemi, soccer player and author; Sara Baker, YMCA; Kevin Foglesong, local soccer coach; Cristen Gilbert, YMCA; Chriss Harris, Charris Development Consulting; Scott Heimann, Park National Bank, and Rick Roby, Roby Foster Miller Earick Insurance.
For more information, contact YMCA Marketing and Development Director Sara Baker at 419-522-3511 or visit mansfieldy.org.
About the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits, strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Across the US, 2,700 Ys engage 22 million men, women, and children, regardless of age, income or background, to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors.
The Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.
The Y in Mansfield, 155 years old with 10,000 members, is among the oldest, continuously-running organizations in Ohio. Founded in 1867, the Y improves lives and communities by focusing on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Mansfield and Shelby YMCAs recently joined forces as the YMCA of North Central Ohio.
