AUSTINTOWN Group hopes funding for complex will fly

The sports and conference facilities would be available for rental.
By IAN HILL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, is seeking federal funding to help pay for construction of a sports complex in the township.
The $11.3 million complex would include indoor sports fields with synthetic turf, outdoor sports fields and a conference center.
DeWine spokeswoman Amanda Flaig said the senator has asked to include money for the complex in the federal appropriations bill for the departments of Commerce, Justice and State this fall. She wouldn't say how much DeWine is seeking. DeWine is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Flaig noted, however, that federal money for projects like the sports complex could be scarce this year because of the deficit and financing of the war.
"There is only so much money to go around," she said.
Hopes for funding
The creator of the sports complex proposal, Jeff Magada, executive director of Flying High Inc. on Mahoning Avenue, said he's hoping to receive about $8 million from the federal government. The rest of the $11.3 million would come from foundations, grants and private donors, he said.
Magada said although he has yet to receive any funding for the complex, he has several prospects and would welcome donations. He added that he is looking for people experienced in seeking funding for major projects to serve on a capital committee for the complex.
Flying High Inc., a not-for-profit corporation, provides services to help young people, including tutoring in reading and math, arts and crafts programs, and football and basketball leagues.
"I'm not a dreamer," Magada said. "It's one thing to have a desire [to make the complex a reality]; it's another thing to know how to do it. Flying High knows how to do it."
Working in stages
Magada and township Trustee Bo Pritchard recently met with DeWine in Washington, D.C. to discuss the project. Pritchard, who also serves as president of Flying High's board of trustees, said he thinks it would be nearly impossible to obtain all $8 million from the federal government at once.
He noted DeWine suggested breaking the project into smaller phases.
Once the first phases of the project are under construction, there will be a greater chance that the rest of the project will receive funding, Pritchard said.
Magada said he is considering breaking the project into phases. He added that the complex would allow Flying High to raise revenue and expand its services, and that he is looking to buy land in the township for the project.
Plans for complex
The heart of the sports complex would be a 141,525-square-foot building Magada calls the "Character Dome." The building would house a synthetic turf field big enough for three four-on-four flag football fields, each 60 yards long by 25 yards wide.
Flying High sponsors flag football leagues and tournaments through its League of Champions sports programs. Magada said the program provides mentors for young people while also involving them in positive activities and providing recognition for their achievements.
About 65 youths between the ages of 12 and 18 participated in Flying High's summer football league at St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church on Kirk Road this year, Magada said. Six-person teams paid $60 each to participate in the league.
"Show me a kid who's involved in a positive activity, and I'll show you a kid who has less chance to make a bad decision," Magada said.
The Character Dome fields also could be used for youth soccer, which is growing in popularity. Pritchard noted that there are few indoor soccer facilities in the Mahoning Valley, and that many young people are forced to leave the area to play soccer in the winter.
Magada added that the Character Dome also would house an indoor track and space for weight lifting and boxing.
Rental space
He also noted that community members and organizations would be able to rent the dome and other complex facilities when Flying High isn't using them. A for-profit corporation formed by Flying High would manage the facilities, Magada said.
The for-profit corporation would then donate the revenue collected from renting the facilities to the not-for-profit corporation, he said. That revenue is needed to expand Flying High's services, Magada said.
The complex also would include a 49,500-square-foot conference center and 14,400 square feet of retail space. Magada said Flying High would use the conference center to train other agencies that offer services for at-risk young people. As an example, Flying High recently began working with Victory Lutheran Church on Glenwood Avenue in Youngstown to develop an after-school program at the church.
Flying High also would partner with businesses in the retail center to provide job opportunities and training for young people, he said.
Magada plans to have outdoor football fields in the complex, as well as a 515-spot parking lot, 10,500 square feet of office space for Flying High and 9,800 square feet for tutoring and other services.
Organization's background
Flying High is housed in a 2,000-square-foot building just west of the new Ruby Tuesday restaurant on Mahoning Avenue.
Magada traces the history of Flying High back to 1988, when he coached a flag football team for at-risk youth in a league sponsored by Mahoning County Juvenile Court. In 1993 he formed his own league, the League of Champions, and in 1997 he started Flying High to provide educational services.
Magada had served as supervisor of the township police department's juvenile diversion program for 13 years before resigning in 2001 to devote his time to Flying High.
hill@vindy.com