Downtown 2010 Plan Idea #9 - Field House « Columbus Underground Messageboard

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Downtown 2010 Plan Idea #9 - Field House

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Started 2 years ago by Walker
Latest reply from jpizzow

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Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Develop a Downtown Field House
Main CU Feature: 12 Ideas Laid Out for Downtown 2010 Strategic Plan

The Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC) has had great success in recent years attracting sports events to Columbus.

The GCCC hosted 34 events in 2009, leading to 53,500 hotel rooms being booked and $104.6 million in economic impact. Even in a down economy, the GCCC will grow this segment of its business in 2010 with 42 events scheduled to take place.

A new Downtown Field House, located on the Convention Facilities AuthorityÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s parking lot east of the Ohio Center, would allow the GCCC to expand its sports event capacity and boost the Downtown and local economy. A dedicated facility, designed especially for sports events, would be a significant upgrade over current facilities that were designed for trade shows and other business events. With the sports events moved to a new facility, space would free up in the Convention Center to add to its convention business. In addition to sports events, this facility could also have gym space for Downtown residents and office workersÃ¢â‚¬â€providing a needed Downtown amenity.

MORE HERE: http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/plan/field-house

Posted 2 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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This idea was one that caught me completely off guard. I've long thought that this convention center parking lot area has been vastly underdeveloped, and while I'm not much of a sports nut, the idea of providing such a multi-purpose space for both convention/regional use as well as local use sounds like a great idea.

Posted 2 years ago #
rave_til_dawn
Dennison Place
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I wonder if this would also be open for recreation leagues (soccer, lacrosse). It would be nice to be able to play downtown, instead of driving to Dublin, Worthington, or Powell.

I disagree with the need for a downtown gym though, there's already a few in the area.

Posted 2 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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rave_til_dawn wrote >>
I disagree with the need for a downtown gym though, there's already a few in the area.

Gym? No.

Gymnasium? Yes!

Posted 2 years ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Looks like we might be getting a downtown ball pit. Where's enzo?

Posted 2 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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This idea seems to make a lot of financial sense for the city if the funding can come from the Convention Center without much city involvement.

From Here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/planning-downtown-with-msi-design-part-2

Keith Myers: The numbers on that were really compelling. We talked to the Sports Commission and found out that itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s a pretty big business for the Convention Center. But the idea behind everything is that what weÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re doing should serve multiple purposes. ItÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s good that this could fill up on weekends and pack the hotels when the business travelers are gone, but during the week this could be a facility that people who live in the area can use. Basketball leagues, volleyball leaguesÃ¢â‚¬Â¦ whatever they want. This could be one more amenity for Downtown living.

Posted 2 years ago #
byJody
Rural NW Columbus
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Now that the previous Casino site on Nationwide Blvd can be sold, what if this could be the site of the proposed Columbus Field House?

The business first article mentions high density housing, which would be fine except that it is going to take awhile to soak up the current inventory throughout Central Ohio (IMO).

Posted 2 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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I think it's probably pretty crucial for the Field House to be attached to the Convention Center.

That being said, I agree that the best use of the site is a semi-mixed-use residential neighborhood, which is what Plaza Properties originally had in mind for the site.

Posted 2 years ago #
michaelcoyote
!seabus
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Funny enough I was kinda puzzled about the need for a field house when I went to the North Market today and it was filled with volleyball players. Evidently this was a meet for top ranked players from the Ohio, PA and WV area, and I saw a lot of people for a Sunday afternoon. A field house might be useful for bringing in even larger events.

I see a lot of convention traffic filter through to local business, so the effect is non-zero. I have to imagine that a bump in convention traffic will filter down to area businesses.

I also wonder if renting out to the Arnold Classic and other large sporting conferences will pay a lot of the bills on this?

Posted 2 years ago #
byJody
Rural NW Columbus
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Walker, I guess I didn't realize the field house planned for the Abbott Parking lot would have a connector to the convention center. Makes sense, I just thought it was too far across 4th.

I was thinking a sports facility/fieldhouse with indoor/outdoor recreation options on a riverfont would be more appealing than one surrounded by highway ramps, but I realize West of the ballpark is kind of far from the cc though.

I drove down to the Nationwide site after the YayBikes Pancake breakfast. Wow, it's amazing how different that site looks in a relatively short period of time. I'm excited by what it might become. (Yes, I drove to the 'Bike to Work' Challenge, but I did ride my razor scooter from the parking lot)

ETA: I now see it would be between 3rd and 4th

Posted 2 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Yeah, it's not the Abbot Lot (on the other side of Abbot Labs)... it's the parking lot owned by the Convention Center between 3rd & 4th. Third is actually elevated through that stretch, so they could possibly directly connect it underneath.

Posted 2 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Related to this convention center field house expansion idea...

Columbus to host volleyball championship; expecting 20K spectators
Business First - by Jeff Bell
Date: Thursday, July 21, 2011

Columbus has landed a major youth volleyball tournament that will bring thousands of athletes and spectators to the city next summer.

USA Volleyball said Thursday it has awarded the 2012 Girls’ Junior National Championships to Columbus, with the matches to be played from June 28 to July 7 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center . The organization said the championships attract about 9,500 athletes and more than 20,000 spectators annually. It crowns 19 champions in divisions ranging from 12-18, showcasing top talent from across the nation.

READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2011/07/21/columbus-to-host-volleyball.html

Posted 10 months ago #
CalebR
Lincoln Village
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Not much news on this that I've been able to find so here it is.. is this actually going to happen? I support it and love the idea, but is it actually going to happen?

Posted 10 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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The 2010 Downtown Development plan is a list of ideas to potentially execute between 2010 and 2020.

So to answer your question, it's probably not happening in 2011.

Posted 10 months ago #
jpizzow
580 N. Park St.
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Not only would this be great for said volleyball championships, but it could also help to expand the already largest sports and fitness expo in the nation, the Arnold Fitness Expo.

Posted 10 months ago #