ANSONIA — Ceremonial shovels went into the ground, and a big yellow excavator started digging in the dirt Friday (March 24) to make way for construction of an $18 million sports training complex on Olson Drive.
A groundbreaking ceremony attended by about 70 people took place Friday morning at the 8‑acre site that formerly housed Riverside Apartments. Developer John Guedes, president and CEO of Primrose Companies, is transforming the long-vacant property into two buildings: a 39,000-square foot indoor soccer facility and an outdoor soccer field, which will serve as the home stadium for Ole Soccer.
A second, 49,000 square-foot building has been leased to a nationwide basketball training program, Pick Up USA, and a separate firm that trains lacrosse and football players.
Mayor David Cassetti said the project will improve Ansonia.
“This project is a huge victory for all of us,” Cassetti said. “John Guedes transforms communities. He transformed Shelton, has helped to transform Bridgeport and he will transform Ansonia with an $18 million investment. This project will bring a new level of economic vitality to Ansonia. Economic development is not a spectator sport in the Valley; we play to win. And today, the residents of Ansonia are the real winners.”
Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell, who served as the ceremony’s emcee, an avid soccer fan and former player himself, lauded Guedes and his team for continuing to invest in the Valley.
“Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with 4 billion fans across the globe and this project represents continued growth in Ansonia’s downtown and throughout our entire Valley,” Purcell said. “This will be a regional facility with an incredible draw.”
Ole Soccer President Rodrigo Nunes, a former professional soccer player in Brazil who has three other Ole locations in Connecticut, said he’s anxious to bring his legions of aspiring youth soccer players- from 18 months to 17 years old- to Ansonia.
“I can’t wait to play here; we’re very happy to be here and can’t wait to get started,” Nunes said.
Guedes said the outdoor soccer field is slated to be ready for play this September, while the buildings are expected to be complete next April.
Guedes purchased the property from the City of Ansonia for $510,000 and has approvals from the city to build a private, commercial recreation facility on the land. He told the crowd gathered on Friday that building a sports complex is something he’s been wanting to do for years.
Guedes noted that Pereira Investments is helping with capital for the project, while the Bank of Danbury is onboard as the project’s lender.
The Board of Aldermen earlier this month unanimously approved an amended tax incentive agreement for Guedes, where for the first three years of the 17-year agreement, Guedes will pay no taxes. In years four, five and six, Guedes would pay $75,600 annually, and the taxes then incrementally increase in subsequent years to $79,380, $83,349, $87,516, $91,892, $96,486, $101,311, $106,376, $111,695, $117,280, $123,144 and finally $129,301 in the last year of the tax break.
The city has not collected taxes on the property since 1962 because the land on Olson Drive was previously owned by the Ansonia Housing Authority, which, as a government agency, did not pay taxes. Several top city Democrats had expressed opposition to the tax deal, saying the city was giving away the farm. A lawsuit brought against the city by a resident in connection with the land sale was also tossed out last December by a judge. That decision is being appealed.
Guedes also said his project manager will rebuild the Ansonia Animal Shelter, at the suggestion of the Cassetti administration.
The land sale, which the aldermen approved last July, also included language saying Ansonia residents get a 10 percent discount at any programs offered at the new sports complex. In addition, Ansonia will be able to use the property for some 10 Ansonia events a year, whether it be for concerts, gatherings or other events.
