Local’s sports centre dream dashed for now

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Local resident Alan Kasperski called his vision for the former Scotiabank datacentre on Wright Boulevard a monumental, city-changing one. He wanted to see the site morph into a national sports hub used for training and analytics for two of Canada’s national sports organizations, Rugby Canada and Soccer Canada.

“It’s a very big rock, it's a very steep hill,” Kasperski said about the idea. “But so far nobody ... has said stupid idea. It’s, ‘Can you make it happen?’”

Now, the rock has gotten heavier and the hill steeper. Kasperski was just informed by the property’s broker his letter of intent, with a whopping $15.66 million offer, was not signed by the bank. Instead, it has signed the letter of intent from the City of Stratford, which is eyeing the property as the next Stratford Police Service headquarters. Speaking with the Times, Kasperski said the bank evidently believes the city has a better chance of closing that deal than his National Field Sports Training Centre (NFSTC), as he called it.

The NFSTC would be a worldclass hub for sports teams to attend and train in their off-seasons – as well as a place for locals to enjoy – Kasperski explained. His idea grew incrementally. It was first envisioned as a regional centre for rugby teams (being a lifelong rugby player himself), then for soccer teams as well. Then, after touring the Scotiabank site with engineers, space for sports medicine labs, strength training, accommodations, a sports bar, kitchens, a sporting goods store and childcare spaces were deemed possible.

The lands of the site (which Kasperski says is about five to six acres) were the only hurdle, according to him. Because of the acreage only one full field and a couple half-fields would be possible; however, after speaking with the neighbouring farmer, a potential deal is in the works to supply enough land to put in four full fields and a year-round stadium bubble.

Kasperski issued a letter of intent for the property with the bank, an offer of $15.66 million for the 100,000 square foot space, $1.6 million more than its $14 million asking price.

From conversations he has had, renovations could cost between $40-50 million. Along with additional assets, outfitting and land acquisitions, Kasperski could see the NFSTC costing about $60 million all-in, though acknowledged that the project is fluid.

While he doesn’t personally have the capital to purchase the building, let alone to see the project through completely, he said that he has had serious conversations with both the bank and potential investors that are interested in the project.

As a regular citizen of Stratford, Kasperski said that moving such a huge project forward without financial backing yet was daunting, though was confident that investors and other partners will see the vision and potential of the site.

Now that plans are moving forward with the city, Kasperski’s dream of the NFSTC rests on council’s shoulders. Should they move forward with putting the police station at the site, he would have to look elsewhere and build from the ground up (estimated to cost about $100 million). If council decides to go in a different direction, the bank may re-assess his proposal.

Speaking frankly, Kasperski said that he does not believe the site to be a good location for police headquarters. As well, as the NFSTC the property would remain a “taxpaying, professionally staffed and vibrant commercial hub,” netting a projected $380,000 in taxes for the city and a $5.5 million economic ripple in the community.

Prior to hearing the most recent news about his letter of intent, Kasperski was adamant about the vibrancy of his vision.

“I’m not even going to put myself in the same category as Tom Patterson,” Kasperski said. “But he had this vision of theatre in Stratford about 70 years ago ... I can see a national training centre in Stratford being a real (asset). There’s the culture aspect, there’s what Stratford’s about, and a national training centre for Rugby Canada, for Soccer Canada would add a whole other level, another component to what Stratford is all about.”