Nationwide Realty Investors, Ltd., an offshoot of the Nationwide Insurance Company, owns & manages commercial real estate throughout the Midwest. Together with their parent company, they have developed several sports venues, including Nationwide Arena, home of the Columbus Bluejackets Hockey Team.
Because of their involvement, NRA was asked to perform a feasibility study for potential conversion of Cooper Stadium into a Fairgrounds & Youth Sports Facility. We were asked to prepare cost estimates for this based on the available schematic plans and scope of work.
Challenges
The Secret Ballpark Story
Because of the sensitive nature of the study, at the time no information was made public and no subcontractor participation—beyond MCR—was permitted:
Confidentiality Agreement
Only 15 days were allowed to gather information, analyze the plans and scopes and prepare the cost estimates for Nationwide Realty and their sponsors
Features
Conceptual Plans For a Unique Blend of Sports & Multi-Function Spaces
45-acre total campus
2 Basketball Courts
Baseball / Softball Fields
Soccer Pitches
Football Fields
Harness Track Racing
Multiple Fairground Structures & Amenities
Parking for 1,500 vehicles
Additional improvements
Results
Sometimes, the Right Answer is “No”
MCR devoted its complete resources to analyzing the schematic plans vis-à-vis the existing facilities, performing a complete cost and feasibility analysis.
The cost study revealed—surprisingly enough—that converting the existing Cooper Stadium to a multi-function Sports Park would just not be feasible given the current conditions—in 2003.
In 2007, these plans were again revived, after announcement of a new stadium to be constructed for the Columbus Clippers.
