New multisport complex proposed for Forward Township
FORWARD TWP — Plans have been submitted to the township’s planning commission for a large, multisport facility proposed for land owned by John and Barbara Cashdollar. The planning commission will discuss them at its monthly meeting Oct. 24.
The Cashdollar family, which is known for selling Christmas trees, made its plans public through a post to their business’s Facebook page in December.
“Church leagues many years ago used to play baseball and softball in the same area you picked your Christmas tree,” the family wrote on Facebook. “Our plan is to return this area to its original state of providing athletic play for many. We hope to break ground beginning the New Year to construct an outdoor and indoor athletic complex. It will be a large project we hope to have ready in the year 2024.”
The proposed complex would be located on Watters Station Road. At the moment, plans for the complex include an outdoor soccer field along with three enclosed buildings. One would feature an indoor soccer field and four pickleball courts, another would feature two tracks for pole vaulting, and a third will contain bathroom facilities.
Combined, the three indoor facilities are estimated to take up over 50,400 square feet of space.
Between the field and the indoor facilities would be the complex’s parking lot, featuring 90 spaces. Both the field and the parking lot would be surrounded by light poles, allowing for night games.
Township manager Tom Hartwig said the plans are under review by the township’s engineering firm Gannett Fleming.
“The next step is that our township engineer will issue a ‘review and comment letter’ outlining deficiencies in the submittal,” Hartwig said. “That'll be taken up by the planning commission at their meeting. It’s in the hands of the planning commission, and they will continue to work with the Cashdollar family, their architect, and their engineering group.”
The sports complex plans can be seen in full on Forward Township’s website at forwardtwpbutlerco.us.
Members of the Cashdollar family could not be reached for comment.
