It was a slam dunk for three athletic-related new business requests that came before the Crown Point City Council on Monday.
The city council unanimously approved special use allowances for the following: a cheerleading facility at 1055 Troutwine Road; a soccer training facility at 1025 Troutwine Road; and a fitness facility at 1849 E. Summit St.
The city council also unanimously approved a special use to allow townhomes to be built at 1525 W. 96th Ave.
James Hus, from DVG Engineering, said plans are to build single, six-unit townhomes on a parcel of land located at West 96th Avenue and Merrillville Road.
Hus said he didn’t know the exact price range of the townhomes but estimated they would be “north of $250,000.”
Hus said he realizes this is the first of two steps since he will need to come back for city officials’ approval to change zoning of the property from B-2 to R-3.
Once that is completed then construction plans can go forward, Hus said.
Russell Pozen, from DVG Engineering, relayed plans for an 18,000-square-foot cheerleading facility to be built at 1055 Troutwine Road.
Pozen said the indoor-only business would be open during standard business hours.
City Councilwoman Laura Sauerman, R-4th, questioned what standard business hours meant since she envisioned it as more of a “9 to 5” type of business.
Pozen said typically the hours for the facility would be in the evening, from 5 to 9 p.m.
“That makes more sense,” Sauerman said.
Pozen introduced the owner of the proposed 12,500-square-foot new soccer facility to be located at 1025 Troutwine Road.
Owner Andy Bridgman said his facility would specialize in educating young soccer players.
Bridgman said he will work with the Crown Point Youth Soccer organization.
“We want to help their teams grow,” Bridgman said.
Business hours will be primarily from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the weekdays with some personal training and games on Sundays.
Ellen Sistovaris said she plans to open a pilates business at 1849 E. Summit St. that will be named after both of her Greek grandmothers.
“I’m so excited to open this studio,” she said.
The new business, which will feature appointment-only yoga and pilates classes, will be called Leni’s Pilates.
Classes will be held in the morning and early evening and will entail about 10 participants taking yoga and 10 taking pilates.
Deborah Laverty is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.