Holyoke residents voice concerns over proposed sports complex

HOLYOKE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – Just months after city leaders announced a new sports complex possibly coming to Holyoke, some neighbors are concerned about what this could mean for their neighborhood.

“We’re not just talking about the sports center.  We’re talking about the biggest asset Holyoke has,” said Cesar Ruiz, leader of the USA International Sports Complex group.

Developers with big plans and big dreams for the birthplace of volleyball.

“We believe with its current assets, in this new home of the Volleyball Hall of Fame, that we will have the ability to bring the world to Holyoke,” Ruiz added.

Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia and others are looking to bring an Olympic-style sports complex to the Paper City. The 140,000 square foot indoor facility will bring entertainment, basketball, soccer and of course volleyball along with it. Developers announced plans to buy and build on the Wyckoff Country Club and the potential payoff could be big for the city.

“Nowhere can you have two major hall of fames within eight miles of each other. The economic impact could be huge,” Ruiz explained.

Estimates suggest the complex could bring millions of dollars to the city.

“The economic impact for the region, just on year five will be close to $22 million,” said chief operating officer Andrew Melendez.

However, some residents aren’t completely sold on the idea.

“I can’t imagine having this huge sports complex here, I really can’t,” said Jackie, who lives in the area. “As a homeowner abutting this place, it doesn’t make me happy having a concreate jungle in my backyard.”

On Thursday’s public input meeting, developers shared some preliminary plans with the community and started a dialogue on what this newest project could mean for them and answering their questions.

“It sounds like, there’s a lot of implication it’s already being done,” added Kelly, who lives in the area. “You have yet to address the construction traffic.”

“My job is to find a solution to those things and then come back as we begin finalizing the design,” Ruiz noted.

Developers are planning to finalize the sale of the country club by the end of the year. As for when we could the construction project completed, that will still be years in the making.

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