Friday, Apr. 29, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Multi-sport training complex in works for PTC By JOHN MUNFORD Although its still in the planning stages, Peachtree City may get a sports training complex, complete with a 3,000 seat arena that would become the home of the Peachtree City Lightning pro basketball team. The complex, which would offer sports medicine capabilities, multi-purpose areas indoors for a variety of sports and a baseball field for young teens, would be built across the road from the citys Baseball and Soccer Complex on Ga. Highway 74 South. T.J. Hannon, who owns the Lightning with his brother, said some details are still being ironed out, but the idea was very well-received by the Peachtree City Planning Commission, which heard Hannons presentation Monday night in a workshop session. Hannon said he was looking forward to offering a facility that could provide a needed service to the city. Hannon particularly wants to provide a place for kids ages 13-16 to train for baseball, and he hopes the proposed Thomas Charles Hannon Sports Complex named after his father would help put the city on the map for baseball training. Hannon was a significant benefactor of the Fayette Field of Hope, a baseball field specially designed for players who are handicapped and must use walkers and wheelchairs. In addition to the arena and a baseball field in the first phase, the Hannons also plan to build an artificial turf infield. Three other fields would be added in a second phase, and Hannon is also hopeful he can donate some land to a group that would build a competitive swimming facility on the property. Also in the plans are a sports therapy and fitness center. Hannon noted that the plans may change somewhat as they try to create the right mix of offerings to make the facility at least break even. The arena could also host concerts in addition to basketball games, but city officials have been told the concerts offered would not conflict with the Summer Concert Series offered by the citys amphitheater. The arenas concerts would be held indoors. The other noise concern raised at the commission meeting was for the public address system of the main baseball field that will be part of the first phase of development. Hannon said it wouldnt be a problem to design the PA system to broadcast towards the highway and away from nearby neighborhoods on the south side of the city. Two of the three entrances to the 50-acre site would align with the entrances to the citys baseball and soccer complex across the road. The third proposed entrance is near the northern end of the property. Bill Foley of Foley Design Associates said the entrances and other issues could be fleshed out further after traffic studies are done for the site. |
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