By David Eck
Enquirer Contributor

MIAMI TOWNSHIP - As officials in this Clermont County locality discuss building a community center, a developer on Tuesday approached township trustees with plans for a private fitness facility.

Scott Stapleton told officials that he wants to create a center in a former grocery store on Ohio 28. The $5 million private facility could open this year.

Plans include a full-size basketball court, two volleyball courts, two indoor pools, a climbing wall, locker areas and an indoor walking/running track, Stapleton said. The center would be about 50,000 square feet.

Prices would be competitive with a YMCA membership, Stapleton said.

In addition, the private center could be a catalyst for redevelopment of the area, a goal of the township, Stapleton said.

"This facility will basically be the gateway to the community," he said. "You're really helping other businesses generate revenue. That's the potential this facility has."

Stapleton and his wife, Kris, previously owned a fitness center in Milford. They sold that business in 1999, he said.

But the township is also talking about building a community recreation center, township Administrator David Duckworth said. With the township's parks and recreation levy expiring at the end of this year, the township could either put a replacement levy on the ballot, or an increased levy to build a center.

Trustees are not expected to make a decision on the issue until March, Duckworth said.

But Stapleton on Tuesday argued that a township center would all but scuttle his plans.

"We're standing here in front of you (asking) you to reconsider going into the recreation center business," he said. "Duplication of services leads to a waste of taxpayer money."

He also suggested that he and the township could possibly partner on some aspects of a center.

Trustees did not comment on Stapleton's plans and asked only a few brief questions during his presentation.

"We can't do this if these guys are going to do their thing," Stapleton said. "This is just a golden opportunity for the township to allow us to develop this property."

E-mail daveck@fuse.net