'Hit Doctor' Project Running Behind?

Tonight's Township Planning Board meeting has been canceled, meaning the board's review of the first phase of the much-hyped "Hit Doctor" sports and entertainment complex has been pushed back until at least May 10.

The was a topic of discussion at Monday's Township Council meeting, as many in the community have been asking the question: When will construction begin?

It initially was expected that the first-phase review was going to happen at the Planning Board's April 12 meeting, which also was canceled due to a dearth of applications.

The township still has not received an application seeking Planning Board review of the first phase—the $7 million ball-fields phase—of developer Gloucester Township Sports Complex Urban Renewal Partners' sports and entertainment complex.

The ball fields are to be built on Williamstown-Chews Landing Road, near Cross Keys Road, on the former Nike missile radar base.

"The new sports complex at the Nike base is still happening," Council President Glen Bianchini said during Monday's Council meeting.

Mayor David Mayer previously had indicated he expected the fields to be completed by June.

That seems unlikely now, given the Planning Board is next scheduled to meet May 10.

At Monday's meeting, Mayer expressed optimism the fields will be ready in time for the township to host a Cal Ripken Youth Baseball tournament in August, as scheduled.

"We're talking about fields—four artificial-surface fields," he said. "We're not talking about building a hotel in three months."

While he wouldn't say as much, it was evident Mayer is eager to have the "Hit Doctor" application before the Planning Board in May. He noted the developer will still have to get state Department of Environmental Protection and various other permits for the project after earning the board's approval.

The mayor said the township will help where possible to get the project underway.

"We're going to do everything we can as a government to help the 'Hit Doctor' make those deadlines," he said.

Plans released in January show the sports complex is to include four lighted, artificial-turf baseball fields, which will be designed to resemble those of four stadiums the Philadelphia Phillies have called home over their long history—Baker Bowl, Connie Mack Stadium, Veterans Stadium and Citizens Bank Park. It will also include a clubhouse.

Future project plans include construction of a hotel and restaurant nearby the ball fields and an entertainment complex with a movie theater to be built on the 19-acre Nike missile launch site on Cross Keys Road, according to township officials.

Local baseball guru Joe "The Hit Doctor" Barth, who lives in Erial, is a principal in Gloucester Township Sports Complex Urban Renewal Partners. He has hired Ripken Design for design and construction management of the $7 million project, which included $1.35 million to purchase the Nike missile base from the township.

Ripken Design is owned by National Baseball Hall of Fame member and Baltimore Orioles great Cal Ripken Jr. and brother Bill Ripken, who also played Major League Baseball.

During the Council meeting, using the township's new eGov Access email questioning service, conservative activist Tom Crone asked whether the "Hit Doctor" project would result in jobs for township residents.

Mayer indicated it is hard to say, given the complex is a private project, but noted area firms will likely being doing the work.

"I do think it's important to note ... the jobs that are created by bringing people into our community who will spend money at our stores and at our restaurants," he said.

Check back with Patch this afternoon for more from Monday's Council meeting, including a report on a proposed amendment to the 2011 township budget.