MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Manatee County commissioners voted Tuesday to put a hold on plans for an indoor sportsplex in Lakewood Ranch.
The commission was considering a proposed $80 million indoor sports and entertainment complex that would bring a 250,000-square-foot facility to Premier Sports Campus North in Lakewood Ranch.
The proposal, called Project Grace, would be built on about 22 acres and include four hockey rinks. The facility also would host tournaments for sports such as volleyball and include event space with food, retail and training areas, according to developers.
In a statement released Tuesday, officials said the Board heard public comment and discussed Project Grace, a proposed indoor sports multiplex.
“Following the discussion, the Board approved a motion directing staff to suspend discussions and explore alternative locations for the project and return with additional information that addresses citizen concerns and provides options for future Board consideration,” the statement read.
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The project has drawn support from some families who say it would expand local access to youth sports. Tom Barilla, a Lakewood Ranch resident and youth hockey coach, said the complex would give his children more opportunities to play closer to home.
Barilla said his family currently travels to the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, which has the only two ice rinks in Manatee County.
“We’re in Star Farm. So going just a couple developments over and being able to have the complex that’s proposed to be there,” Barilla said.
Barilla said he grew up playing hockey and now wants his two sons to have similar experiences.
“Scoring some fun goals and having my teammates come and enjoy that, and some of those goals we still talk about now as adults,” Barilla said. “So I’m really excited to be on the ice or on the bench to see my boys have those same memories.”
He said he believes hockey can teach young players life skills.
“One thing about hockey that’s really nice is it’s a little violent, it’s a little physical,” Barilla said. “And I think that that’s a good thing for young men and women in this country to learn a little bit more grit.”
But not all nearby residents support the proposal.
Rosella Stromberg, who lives near the proposed site, said she is concerned about traffic, noise and safety if a large venue is built in the area.
“Not everybody ice skates and plays hockey,” Stromberg said. “And I just worry about the sound because I know the generators and the machines to keep the ice cold are very noisy.”
Stromberg said she is especially concerned about a Solera neighborhood bus stop across the street from the proposed site, where her grandson waits.
“It’s scary, absolutely,” Stromberg said.
Stromberg recently started a Facebook group and a petition against the project. She said she plans to share her concerns with the Manatee County Commission.
“We want to see studies done on this area,” Stromberg said. “I think there are other locations in Manatee County where this could go.”
The next major step is expected in August or September, when the Manatee County Commission is set to consider a land lease agreement for the project.
Site plan approval could come between October and December. If approvals move forward, groundbreaking is targeted for January, with completion expected by summer 2028.
Julia Hazel
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