MANSFIELD—As Galion struggles to make an event center a reality, the Mansfield YMCA announced today that they are building their own sports complex.
Cristen Gilbert, CEO of the YMCA of North Central Ohio, thinks it’s important for all children to get the opportunity to play sports.
Gilbert and the YMCA announced that a new $12 to $15 million, 125,000 square-foot indoor sports complex will be built near the intersection of I-71 and State Route 97 in Richland County.
Retired Mansfield industrialist James Gorman offered nearly 35 acres of land to build the complex, which will include indoor soccer, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and track, as well as at least six outdoor soccer fields and a walking trail.
Gorman said he was excited to help the YMCA find space to build the new facility.
“We were just glad to see it come to the Bellville-Lexington area,” he said. “We’re trying to pay back the community what it’s given to us.”
The facility is expected to generate more than $8 million in revenue for Richland County from visitors and families traveling to play sports. It will also add more than 100 jobs to Richland County during the construction phase and 60-100 jobs when the facility officially opens.
“This project will bring in millions in revenue each year, creating a big boost to the local economy,” said William LaFayette, owner of Regionomics, a Columbus-based economics, and strategy firm.
A sports center of this size with indoor and outdoor activities will attract 35,000+ visitors and their dollars to the area every year and add 100 jobs,” LaFayette said in a Sept. 14 press release. “The ripple effects will benefit businesses and households throughout the county and increase tax revenues.”