Just off of Stagecoach Road in Portage there are acres of trees and green grass, untouched and a perfect place for something new. That’s what Catalyst Lifestyles Resorts, LLC. had in mind for their dream project - a vast multipurpose sports and activity resort. The resort, which has already made waves in Portage, is planning on a 2017 opening but on Tuesday afternoon Catalyst made their first mark on the land with a groundbreaking ceremony. With dozens of attendees in tow, Catalyst, Mayor Snyder and other dignitaries finally marked an official start to building the resort.
The journey to making the resort a reality has been a long one. Tony Czapla, Managing Director at Catalyst Lifestyles Sports Resort, LLC., explained that there have been many different trials to get the project off the ground, but now that the project is on its way to being built the groundbreaking is a thrilling and sweet moment for him and his team.
“To have this all come together is mind-blowing. It’s really amazing to see the support for this project and today really brings that to reality,” Czapla stated. “We’re so excited to build the resort here in Portage. The geography is perfect for what we need, and Portage has been so welcoming to everything. This project, though, can do a lot for the entire region. It’s something that can bring a lot of activity to this location. We’re happy to be the ones to do so.”
Before Czapla and the people of Catalyst got out their shovels, attendees from Portage and around the region gathered together to talk over their own excitement for the project. With the location bringing a 165,000 square foot sports dome, restaurants, a drive-in theater, recreation areas, batting cages, and so much more it’s easy to understand why there’s been so much chatter about the resort. Chris Rohaley, a senior at Portage High school who attended as a part of the school’s student government, explained that as a life-long Portage resident he’s looking forward to being able to do more in town than he has before.
“Seeing Portage starting to blow up and becoming a powerhouse in the region is really great to watch, and to be a part of,” Rohaley stated. “I’ll definitely be using this next year once it’s complete, and I know that all the rest of the people I know will too. Having the resort here really brings a sense of growth to the city and I can’t wait for it to continue.”
The resort will certainly bring traffic to Portage, but it also allows the city itself to grow. Nancy Simpson, Executive Director of the Portage Chamber of Commerce, explained that the resort will not only drive development, but will give many a chance to cut down on travel and take advantage of the opportunities at home.
“This is an incredible opportunity for Portage. It’ll help the residents, bring business to the ‘Mom and Pop’ shops, and drive development for a lot of higher-end business that will come due to the resort,” Simpson stated. “It also brings a lot of chances for people in the region to do things that aren’t easily accessible at the moment. There’s wake-boarding, a water park, places for sports tourneys, and a lot more. It’s exciting not only for the kids that will be able to use the facilities, but the parents who will have something close.”
In the end, the resort is a win-win situation for the people and the city. It will garner growth and attention to the region, and allow the city to have something else to broadcast out to the region. Andy Maletta, Director of Portage Economic Development, explained that the resort will truly be a shining beacon for Portage for years to come.
“This is truly a catalyst for Portage. Think about all of the people who will be coming in to Portage for this resort - they will be eating, sleeping, and playing here. This resort is really going to benefit the entire city from one end to the other. It’ll put Portage on the map,” Maletta stated. “Things are really coming together for development in Portage. It’s great for the residents because we’ve lived in this jewel of the region for a long time, and it’s great to have things like this coming to Portage to really show what there is to offer.”