Scriba Athletic Complex: Resident Concern and Insight from Rich Burritt
SCRIBA, NY – On Wednesday evening, the town of Scriba hosted their monthly town hall meeting at the Municipal Building.
Members of the OswegoNow team traveled to the meeting to gather information on the proposed Athletic Complex, financed by Oswego Entrepreneur Rich Burritt.
The indoor complex is expected to be a 3.7 million dollar project, covering 130,000 square feet. It’ll be built upon the existing property, which resides just off of Route 481, on 80 Dutch Ridge Road.
Should the plan be approved, it would include amenities like batting cages, golf simulators, and jiu-jitsu, with plenty more areas for adults and kids alike.
During the meeting, residents of Scriba had the opportunity to voice their opinions on the future complex.
For some time, the safety of Dutch Ridge Road has been discussed. Those who live close by were vocal about their concern of excess speed.
“Traffic on that road is now nonstop,” Said a resident on Dutch Ridge Road, “Coming out of the dome is now an issue… there is a significant blind spot” Residents reported that many people drive at hazardous speeds, and there is no speed limit sign. This is especially dangerous as school busses and large trucks travel along this road.
We spoke with another resident who lives closer to the existing complex on 80 Dutch Ridge Road. He touched on many issues, such as the dangerous speeds, extra trash, and his concern with foot traffic on his property.
“I’m perfectly find with the development…I don’t want more of a headache maintaining my property value.” Residents express these concerns, but they want to see if this construction can help out with pre-existing issues, hoping it wont make things worse.
Rich Burritt was adamant that he’ll advocate with the town and the neighbors as a coalition to get the situation resolved.
He made sure he met with those who attended the meeting. “The individuals that you’re referring to with their concerns, I just had a one-on-one conversation with them right outside of this meeting.” said Burritt. “I live right there, so I share their concerns with traffic…This issue started a few years ago, and think they’re looking at this as the opportunity to help fix that, which I’m on board for.”
Photograph by Evan Schombs
When asked about hosting major events, Burritt explained, “Yes, it’s designed as a training center. So what we’re developing is a place for the community and larger to come to and certainly we’ll be hosting some tournaments to draw people in. We’re looking for high level recruitment, high level education, business training, sport training, and it’s a one-stop shop for basically every sport but hockey at this point.”
Amenities will serve all ages, with plans for full fitness workout facilities that are geared towards youth and adults. as well as some extracurriculars like a 40-person sauna, spas, and cold/hot plunges to create an experience where both kids and adults will have plenty to do.
If this project is approved, the goal is to have a vendor for construction, and to be beginning the first phases by November of this year.
Burritt discussed partnership with different youth programs, “My team is funding this program, so we’re really working with organizations to make that as low cost as possible. We’re really working to be taking their kids’ lives and hopefully changing them for the better, so these people will see this as a good investment in their kids’ future, and we’re happy to be part of that.”
