GALION—Mayor Tom O’Leary said the proposed Freese Center athletic complex took root more than a decade ago.

“The idea started out as part of the Crawford 2020 Strategic Plan,” O’Leary said last week.

In that plan was a goal of having a multi-sport facility somewhere near U.S. 30.

“In ’15, we did the first study. Some people kind of yawn now and say, ‘Are we still talking about this?'” O’Leary said.

“It was a needs assessment, and it showed an interest for a youth sports complex. Not on a travel basis, but on a local basis.”

O’Leary said that needs assessment showed “an unmet need for two to three gymnasiums for basketball and twice as many volleyball courts. At the time of the study, there was no interscholastic soccer in Crawford County. Galion High School was just starting their programs,” he said.

 The process

The Galion City Council Economic Development and Airport Committee discussed it at its Feb. 15 meeting. This followed a 4-3 vote by Galion City last fall.

The Freese Center project is proposed as a capital improvement project for the City of Galion with a request for $5 million in financial support from the Egbert M. Freese Foundation.

That money would be donated incrementally, O’Leary said.

“That was to get the ball rolling,” he said.

Some funding came through the capital bill, as well as the Timken Foundation and the Crawford County Foundation, which pledged $50,000.

“Those were significant donations,” O’Leary said.

The estimated cost to build the facility, provided by J&F Construction, is just over $10 million, and that could fluctuate depending on steel prices.

O’Leary believes the proposed center could house more than athletic competitions.

One idea would be to incorporate a daycare facility.

“I believe there is a real need for daycare here, especially for second-shift workers,” he said.

 Prime location

The location off State Route 598, just south of U.S. 30, makes sense, according to O’Leary.

“There was some discussion, and some felt it was much too far away from town. From the point of view of being accessible to other communities in the area, it makes sense,” he said.

“Crestline kids with a youth basketball team would be able to use it to practice. For Colonel Crawford, which has a real solid program, this is something that would make that stronger.”

The piece of property, roughly 7 acres, is just west of the Valero gas station access point.

 Benefits cited

“I see it as a community facility that can double on the weekends as a tournament site,” O’Leary said.

There are no plans for weight rooms or a swimming pool, so it would not be competing with the YMCA. 

“Travel sports has become more and more popular. Parents and grandparents were traveling to see them play. We would be able to attract the right kinds of tournaments.”

The Sleep Inn & Suites and nearby restaurants and shops also have an appeal for visitors. The current widening of SR 598 also enhances the area.

“This is not just a travel palace. I don’t think,” O’Leary said. “It would be a benefit to travel and tourism, but we make a mistake when we over-promote that.”

He added, “Galion is going to take the lead on this. This is not a legacy project. This would really help the community.”