Monday, January 17, 2000
Teamwork could build facility
Forest Park talking with basketball ref
BY SARA J. BENNETT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FOREST PARK — City residents want a community center. Basketball referee Anthony May wants to build a multi-court gym to cultivate the hoop dreams of officials and players from across the region.
The two could merge into one project.
Mr. May, a University of Cincinnati basketball player from 1985-89, has had preliminary discussions with members of Forest Park's community center task force about putting a partnership together.
Mr. May could build his basketball courts, and Forest Park could add amenities such as a swimming pool and weight room. Both parties say they could save money working together.
“We know we've got, for lack of a better cliche, to "think outside the lines' because we don't have the funding ourselves,” said Steve Miklavic, a former councilman who heads the community center task force. “We're just pursuing all kinds of creative ways of partnering with people who have an interest.”
A survey conducted this fall found that 72 percent of Forest Park residents polled want a community center, but they don't want higher taxes.
The project has been estimated to cost $12 million to $15 million to build and $1 million annually to run.
City officials have been exploring public/private partnerships. One widely discussed possibility has been pairing with Mercy HealthPlex to create a jointly run facility.
Mercy officials have said they won't help build a center at this time, Mr. Miklavic said.
Mr. May, meanwhile, has expressed interest in Forest Park because of its proximity to Interstate-275.
The Colerain Township resident wants to build a gym called “Hoop Zone” with seven collegiate-sized courts that could play host to camps attended by basketball officials hoping to find work.
“Hoop Zone” also could feature basketball lessons and youth tournaments. During other times, the courts could be used by Forest Park residents.
“Our mission statement is to be a full service basketball facility for everyone from kids to adults,” Mr. May said. “I didn't realize there was such a need in the Cincinnati area until I started talking to people.”
Mr. May had no estimate as to how much his project might cost or how long it might take to build. He said he plans to approach National Basketball Association players about investing.
Both he and Mr. Miklavic stressed that discussions about a partnership are in the early stages. Still, both expressed enthusiasm at the possibilities.
“If this actually takes off, this is probably going to set a precedent for other cities to try and implement or duplicate,” Mr. May said.
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