The 55,000 square-foot McAfee Sports Center, located at 1321 Research Park Drive, is expected to officially open its doors on June 30, said Tom Maloney, treasurer of Ohio South Youth Sports Space (OSYSS).
A nonprofit, OSYSS will manage the sports center.
The space, made possible largely through community volunteer efforts and financial support, was originally intended to provide a larger and more permanent gym space for the Beavercreek Stars youth select basketball program. Craig Witker, OSYSS president, said that finding gym time in the winter in Beavercreek in particular and anywhere around Dayton has always been a challenge.
The facility is currently home to Beavercreek Stars, Beavercreek Sox and Air City Volleyball but will welcome any group that wishes to reserve time at the facility.
Witker said that they will offer four regulation basketball courts and fiveregulation volleyball courts. However, because of the mobility of the equipment, the facility can accommodate other sports, as well. Maloney says that they have had interest from sports organizations ranging from rugby to gymnastics. “We even have the means to accommodate indoor pole vaulting,” said Witker.
Other amenities include year-round climate control, ample seating for all courts, full-service concessions, a 3,000 square foot weight and training facility, indoor batting cages and 10,000 square feet of office space available for meetings and party rooms.
Maloney said that they currently have two tenants, Christian Life Center and Dayton Strength and Conditioning. He said that it is because of these tenants they have not generated a financial loss through the four-year process of constructing the facility and will be looking to attract other tenants in the future.
Witker pointed out that their per square space rate is competitive and any business looking for space would have to pay rent somewhere. However, renting space at McAfee would also help to support a facility that benefits the community.
Those wishing to volunteer or learn more about rental opportunities should contact Maloney at 937-369-1037 or e-mail at tommaloney@prodigy.net.
He said that they are still in need of groups who want to come in and volunteer to help get the facility ready for opening day.
“In the future we will also need a technology representative, someone who is familiar with Twitter, Facebook and can update our website. We are also looking for someone from a communication point of view. I’ve often been told it would be great if we could send out a monthly communication,” said Maloney.
Witker said that they are also still looking for financial sponsorship some of which would involve certain naming rights.
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