New Lakewood Business Idea - Ipark

[Bill Call]

When will Lakewood realize that empty storefronts and expensive gym's won't sell homes or attract more businesses. I don't get the "nothing is wrong" attitude. I'm more of a realist though.

Be careful. If you keep talking like that people will get mad at you.

[Dee Krupp]

Do community Rec. centers pay for themselves or do taxpayers pay for them? Do they operate at a loss or a profit?

I think it depends on how realisitic you want to be with the membership fees.
Brecksville charges $240 a year for a family, Brunswick raised theirs to $360. River's is b/t $300-$400 depending on family size.
Medina is over $450 now, I hear, so now your heading into "Y" territory (except tax dollars werent used to build the Y)

There lies the problem. While I would love to see a nice Rec. Center, I highly doubt I would pay upwards of $400- $500 year....unless it was a kick *ss facility, then I'd think about it.

I do really like Sharon's rollar rink idea. While I have't been to Fun N Stuff in Macedonia, I like the concept. There's a rollar rink, and other activities for the kids....laser tag, mini golf, rock climbing wall, kids play area, batting cages, video games (although we have enough of those!) It sure seems there's something for everyone.

[Brad Hutchison]

I'm afraid that a lot of us are thinking in terms too grand to be realistic. I can't see something happening on a large scale that would compete with the brand new YMCA. No one is going to plop an indoor Swings n Things into the city.

The best bet, for now, is the use of current space, like churches and gyms, as others have mentioned. Something like the Squeaky Sneakers program mentioned above can't be that difficult or costly to get off the ground. Most of the schools are open in the evening anyway for sports and other rec programs, aren't they?

[Shawn Juris]

Here's a thought. Incorporate all the existing green space at Kaufman Park into the potential new development in the strip mall. Keep the green, increase utilization of the park and drop a much needed family friendly facility (including a restaraunt) right in the middle of Lakewood. Just the space behind the outfield fence could provide ample running room for kids on nice days. I agree that we may not be able to do something on the large scale of some of the other great ideas posted but the potential exists. With the closing of Grand Slam (the batting cage/volleyball/bar) on the Cleveland side of Berea road the area has lost one big supplier, the next nearest facility in Avon off I 90 is now a Pettiti's. The closest is now in Olmsted Falls I believe.
By all means this should not be something that is operated by the city and funded by tax dollars, we've seen how well that works; Little links closed, winterhurst loses money. The city can keep the park and rent it out or at least coordinate usage time as it does now. The Civic Innovation lab and other funding sources are a great place to start. I'd be happy to contribute some time to assembling the business plan for submission. My two cents of vision would be a Chuck E Cheese for the 21st century. We've seen the results of video games and chowing on greasy foods. I think we have enough rolley polley children who can't socialize and only move their thumbs. If a concept can be marketed that keeps kids active, teaches them good eating habits and gives parents a place that they can feel safe bringing their kids, the results should be lucrative.

[Chris Karel]

David,

This seems to be an island of the monkeys-esque thread. I've been speaking to friends about opening just such a place in Lakewood. There is a definite need, as Jay pointed out, for an indoor recreational facility where kids can play soccer. With two boys who play year round it can be a drag having to drive 30 minutes each way to a facility.

On another note, the results of a survey of over 800 middle and high school aged youth in lakewood during the Youth Master Plan process, 72% said they would favor a paintball/laser tag/extreme sport facility. This seems like a great idea to me. Kids are overwhelmingly in favor of it!

I've also taken my boys climbing at the Cleveland Rock Gym which is located in Euclid. It is literally climbing walls in an old warehouse. Charges are minimal and the upkeep doesn't seem to require a lot.

I'm on board if anyone wants to run with it. I'd also like to make it a priority for the new Lakewood Youth Commission.

Chris Karel

[David Anderson]

Hello All –

I sincerely thank all of you who took the time to post on this thread. Save for the amusing beer vs. no beer sidebar debate, I though the comments/reaction were very valuable.

If I go forward with any planning it will not include (1) beer - sorry Valerie - or (2) anything in the shape of a gun or with a trigger. What it would include is unique playground sections for different age groups, like the ones pictured in this link http://www.allkidsplay.com/new/, picnic tables and benches for parents, Purell hand sanitizer stations, a rock climbing wall, and a larger flexible indoor recreation space ideal for indoor soccer and other sports.

Ideally, such a center would act as a catalyst for existing parks, libraries, business and traffic on a primary Lakewood artery while magnetizing residents and building Lakewood’s vitality.

It’s okay if someone like Chris Karel beats me to it. However, any plans I develop will be shared here as well as with the Lakewood Youth Commission.

Thanks, again and feel free to keep posting.

[Dee Krupp]

Hello All –

I sincerely thank all of you who took the time to post on this thread. Save for the amusing beer vs. no beer sidebar debate, I though the comments/reaction were very valuable.

If I go forward with any planning it will not include (1) beer - sorry Valerie - or (2) anything in the shape of a gun or with a trigger. What it would include is unique playground sections for different age groups, like the ones pictured in this link http://www.allkidsplay.com/new/, picnic tables and benches for parents, Purell hand sanitizer stations, a rock climbing wall, and a larger flexible indoor recreation space ideal for indoor soccer and other sports.

Ideally, such a center would act as a catalyst for existing parks, libraries, business and traffic on a primary Lakewood artery while magnetizing residents and building Lakewood’s vitality.

It’s okay if someone like Chris Karel beats me to it. However, any plans I develop will be shared here as well as with the Lakewood Youth Commission.

Thanks, again and feel free to keep posting.

The debate was more about parents watching their kids vs. letting them run wild while they relax in a separate room, but hey...sorry that part wasn't valuable to the discussion.

As long as the place is sanitized on a regular basis, it sounds like a great plan. I like Chris's ideas too...the older kids would enjoy the laser tag & paint ball activities. As a parent who no longer has small children, the playland type places are no longer of interest. I haven't checked out the link yet, so maybe it is more inclusive. I'll check it out.

[Brad Hutchison]

Dee, I think that is a valuable point, and I'm sorry that it got lost.

I do feel, however, that one of the points of this type of facility, and an important part of the design (i.e. separate age-defined areas), is to make it safe for children to play independently and for parents to feel comfortable with that. Certainly, having parents able to retire to a quiet lounge doesn't seem appropriate, but to sit and talk on the "sidelines" with other parents while the children play together is fine, I think.

[sharon kinsella]

Roller rink!

[sharon kinsella]

David -

Your link isn't working.

[Brad Hutchison]

It's because of the comma. You should be able to copy and paste the link without it...

[Jennifer Desilets]

I love this idea - I would bring my toddler. Something, anything, to tire out this child. He is a man in constant motion. Actually we didn't need to go to Iraq to find weapons of mass destruction because my 3 year old is one! Some of his recent exploits include: swinging from my dinning room chandelier, sitting on top of the refrigerator eating cookies, taking off his clothes and putting them on the dogs...all I can say is that washable markers don't wash off coffee tables!

[sharon kinsella]

Oh Jennifer -

You have a very smart, active little boy. And, since he isn't mine, I think he sounds like a hoot.

My father always used to say that it's a wonder they survive childhood. I think it should be that it's a wonder that parents survive childhood!

[jennifer scott]

O.K.
Just to clarify. There was a sound proof room at Discovery Zone. As I said before, it was a great place for a nursing mom, an overwhelmed parent or a grandparent not used to a lot of noise. Those places are very loud! They also had a snack bar with pizza, pop, and other food items and yes...beer. Not a quiet room that served beer. They also had separate rooms to accommodate private parties. I think any place that serves kids of all ages and lets them burn off energy is terrific. Again, I really hope someone jumps on the idea.

[Kate McCarthy]

I recall hearing that the Masonic Temple at the corner of Andrews and Detroit was up for sale. That's a big space, with two levels and parking.