ASHTABULA — Joseph Mayernick, executive director of Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County, calls it “one of the most remarkable stories of giving back that has ever come out of this part of the world.”
It’s Geneva native Ron Clutter’s story and his building of a $100 million nonprofit 175-acre indoor-outdoor sports complex, called the Geneva-area Recreation, Education and Athletic Trust (GaREAT). The facility is under construction near the Route 534 and Interstate 90 interchange in Harpersfield Township.
Clutter shared his story, provided a slide presentation and gave an update on the building of the project to a packed house at the Profiles Breakfast Wednesday morning in the Blue and Gold Room at Kent State University-Ashtabula. The monthly breakfast is sponsored by KSUA and Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County.
Mayernick introduced Clutter to the crowd.
Clutter modestly accepted the compliments and went on to describe the complex, which will cover recreation at all levels, as well as sports medicine. He talked tennis, volleyball, baseball, football, soccer, swimming, basketball, track and more. He discussed his dreams and his vision for Geneva, for Harpersfield Township, for northeast Ohio, for the state, his country and the world.
“Versatility” was a word Clutter frequently used during the 30-minute presentation.
He described the project in phases:
n Phase 1 is a 215,000-square-foot facility in the northeast quadrant of the property. It will be completed in March, he said.
“We already have tournaments booked,” Clutter said. “We have 48 volleyball teams coming”;
n Phase 2 is a 5,500-seat sunken stadium;
“We will have more than high school games here,” he said, noting it will be completed and operational by August. “All the materials we use are nothing but the best.”
n Phase 3 is a 185,000-square-foot indoor track building, which will be completed by October; and
n Phase 4 is an Olympic-size swimming pool, with an additional recreational and rehabilitation pool, which should be completed in 2010.
“The buildings will be connected by a causeway,” Clutter said.
In Phase 4, there also will be a medical-professional facility.
“Athletes will get hurt, and we want a professional staff there,” he said.
Clutter’s plan also includes condominiums for people who want to stay on site. He’s thinking ahead to the possibility of Olympic athletes training at the facility.
“The project has received tremendous support,” said Clutter, who’s also president of Nordic Air Inc.
As he wrapped up his presentation, Clutter told the crowd there are certain things GaREAT will focus on.
“We will be patriotic; we will honor our country,” he said. “We will hang the American flag, and we will play ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’ ... We will provide a drug-free environment.”
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