ATTLEBORO (CBS) – Construction is underway in Attleboro on what could become the state’s largest privately funded sports complex. WBZ business reporter Jeff Brown says developers think this is the next big thing.
It’s more than 100 acres that has long sat unused in Attleboro where investors from 5 Capital Management envision a giant indoor sports facility, soon to be known as New England Sports Village.
Youth sports are an exploding business, and if you’re a parent running a weekend taxi service for your kids, you know keeping things under one roof can only help.
“Our model is to create the programming behind the building and more of a retail frontage in the front of the building so that we have a diversified revenue streams and that relieves some of the stress of maximizing the per hour rates,” says 5 Capital Management co-founder Dave Boucher.
The $53 million complex could be easier on your wallet too. Take, for example a son or daughter who plays hockey and a $2000 bill that comes with it
“We want to create access for those families and its $500 and it’s not a seven month season. It’s a season that can start in December and end in January,” Boucher says.
The Village is not something they came up with overnight.
“The process has been almost five years of research,” Boucher says. “We’ve identified a huge demand, an unmet demand. It’s not just in this local region; it’s in youth sports in general all over the country.”
What’s different about this plan?
“Better facilities, consolidation of facilities having numerous different types of programs all in one place,” he says.
And it’s not just for kids.
“It’s not just youth programs,” Boucher says. “It will be Olympic programs. It will be international programs.”
But this is being designed, really, as a “village.”
“We should have an on-site urgent care facility, physical therapy practice, we’ll have a music lounge, for kids who don’t necessarily play sports but want to hang out with their friends.”
Restaurants and retail will be part of it as will a hotel.
But Boucher thinks there’s a bigger part.
“We do think we will have an educational component on site, potentially have dorms and on site academics,” he says.
Big vision and a big plan. The first building is expected to open this fall.
