Plan for Beach indoor sports complex moves ahead

Posted to: News Virginia Beach

By Richard Quinn
The Virginian-Pilot
© April 15, 2008

VIRGINIA BEACH

A major league plan to build an indoor sports complex for amateur athletes took another step forward Tuesday when a city agency agreed to sell the land the facility needs.

The Virginia Beach Development Authority voted to sell seven acres at Dam Neck and Landstown roads to a group comprised of current and former Major League Baseball players. The price was $875,000, plus 7 Cities Development Company LLC has an option to buy another three acres of adjacent land. The deal needs City Council approval, which could happen this summer.

Plans show the facility as a venue where baseball players could train on a regulation-size infield, and batting and pitching tunnels. The proposal also calls for a sports therapy component to help amateurs in different sports improve their agility, and physical rehabilitation.

Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson, who sits on the authority board, said the complex is an extension of the athletic village concept at Princess Anne Commons, a development corridor along Princess Anne Road.

Tim Hummel, a retired major leaguer who played at Old Dominion University, said his group chose the Beach because “this is everybody’s hometown.” Hummel’s partners include current MLB stars and locals B.J. and Justin Upton, Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Cuddyer.

how much of a tax break are

Submitted by keithh48582 on Tue, 04/15/2008 at 9:29 pm.

how much of a tax break are they going to get from the city and how much will this waste of tax dollars cost the homeowners is what this should have addressed im all for it if i dont have to pay for a group of has beens to relive there glory days that should be done at the house over a few beers with friends and grand children go ahead city throw more money into a sinkhole im glad i got a contract on my house and am moveing south into the country because after 25 yrs in va beach i do gotta say that im grew tired of all the big money handouts to big bussiness that this city throws each time someone with a pipedream comes down the highway