A little over a year ago, I wrote a Voices article about how Portage is truly a Port of Opportunity. This past year has shown, Portage is living up to that slogan.
Last week; the City’s Plan Commission, Development Review Committee and City Council, all gave unanimous approval to a project on our Northside that will be an economic driver for the entire region, not just our great City. I was proud to cast a vote in support of this project as a member of the City Council. If all goes to plan, Portage will be home to the first-in-the-nation Sport Resort. This is an exciting time for Portage.
Catalyst Lifestyles LLC, headed by managing partner, Tony Czalpa, will begin construction shortly on a $75 million investment in the Portage community to open the unique Sport Resort. This development is slated to include a 165,000 sq. ft. sport dome that can house any sport you can imagine (with multiple courts) and up to 130,000 sq. ft. of convention floor space. The complex will also include an indoor waterpark, indoor drive in movie theatre, a 150-room hotel, a cable wakeboard lake, two adventure towers, a KOA campground and multiple baseball/softball complexes. This will be the shining example of a resort geared towards youth and amateur sports, which is a $9 billion industry, according to Czalpa.
Imagine the massive economic impact this development could have on Portage, and the surrounding area. I am excited for the future of Northwest Indiana because of all the potential behind this development.
When the casual observer looks at this project, it is clear that there will be an economic impact from just the development itself. But, what excites me more, is the potential outside of the Sport Resort. Imagine, for a moment, a convention or sport tournament that brings thousands of people every weekend to Portage, Indiana. Where are they going to stay? Where are they going to eat? What are they going to do for entertainment? The answer, we are not sure yet. But, rest assured, the Sport Resort will undoubtedly spur development all along US 20 and the I-94 corridor. Between more hotels, restaurants and entertainment possibilities, Portage has the potential to become the go-to weekend destination for families in every state, and potentially, other countries. Not to mention what we already offer; the Indiana Dunes, Portage 16 IMAX and convenient access to the South Shore Line running between Chicago and South Bend.
It is important to note, this will transform our Northside. My hope is, that in a decade or less, the Portage Northside will be unrecognizable from its current state; albeit in a good way. Additionally, it is now our duty to be responsible stewards of your City, which means making improvements to our aging infrastructure all across our growing community. Trust me, the concerns of residents on the west and north portions of the city have been heard and are being addressed as we speak. My other goal is that in the next few years, Portage will see an even stronger housing market and new commercial sector for our residents to shop at and spend more of their hard earned income here in Portage.
So, a year ago when I called Portage a Port of Opportunity, I was not referring to this new development because I, and most residents, had absolutely no inkling of what it would become. Now, we know and I could not be more excited about Portage’s future. Portage’s best days are yet to come!