The Observation Deck

Group,

Do you consider a Rec Center the same as an Indoor Sports Complex? Do you see one or both a plague or good for a location in Lakewood? I do not mean in the location of the hospital, just in Lakewood in general.

Example: Do you consider the Rocky River Recreation Center the same as T3?

Rocky River Rec Center: swimming, weight room, basketball courts, birthday parties, etc.
T3: weight room, indoor sports training (baseball, softball, lacrosse, football), cross-fitness training capabilities, etc.

Could there be a place in Lakewood? One of the largest problems would be parking unless the facility was constructed with a built in parking garage.

Corey

Corey-- Without being specific as to your different examples I will offer these West Shore observations. On Center Ridge there are two new fitness centers, each with their own theme that just popped up within the last 6 months. They are private.
In the Slavic Village is a new bike track.
There are proposals for a rock climbing facility at the old Christian Scientist Church at W.116 and Clifton.

I would suggest a prudent approach would be to let these private enterprise efforts test the market and wait a real long time before any public funds are committed to any similar facility.

Stan

Stan Austin wrote:There are proposals for a rock climbing facility at the old Christian Scientist Church at W.116 and Clifton.

I would suggest a prudent approach would be to let these private enterprise efforts test the market and wait a real long time before any public funds are committed to any similar facility.

I agree. There have been a few fitness/sports businesses in converted facilities, with mixed success.
The Screw Factory (heh heh heh, heh heh heh) is home to Birdtown Crossfit. It has also been home to a wrestling school and "Football Factory of Cleveland". "FFL" has closed, Birdtown Crossfit and Wrestling Factory of Lakewood are still open.

Stan,

I am not familiar with the new ones on Center Ridge.

I thought the rock climbing idea went away as soon as they saw the interior a few years ago.

I know of a place that should be done by mid-August that is in collaboration with Victory Park. They will have a lot of amenities that are much needed and not available around here.

There is a real need for these types of facilities. In fact, I am sitting in T3 right now - there are about 55 people working out, 2 baseball teams and a basketball team playing. There are also private lessons going on. These are all paying/renting customers. Looking at the sign in log this is the third wave of people this afternoon with hours to go before they close.

Michael,

The Screw Factory is basically the same as a store front exercise facility. Tenants rent out rooms, not really the same massiveness of an indoor training facility.

Corey Rossen wrote:The Screw Factory is basically the same as a store front exercise facility. Tenants rent out rooms, not really the same massiveness of an indoor training facility.

True, but I think it is similar to the proposed rock climbing facility at Clifton and 116th.
Plus, you mentioned cross fitness, which naturally triggered "Crossfit" in my brain.