THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 11, 1996 TAG: 9609110455
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 76 lines
Two Virginia Beach businessmen plan to build a $4.5 million, 4,060-seat indoor arena on Dam Neck Road near Corporate Landing Office Park that would serve as home for recreational roller hockey, lacrosse, volleyball and soccer leagues.
The Planning Commission, which is scheduled to consider the request today, is expected to postpone its decision for another month.
The Ocean Arena Sports Complex would include an adjoining 686-seat arena. The main arena would feature a restaurant, pro shop, arcade game room, health club and locker rooms.
Stephen Murdoch and Mark Gresalfi say the complex also would host some concerts and professional roller hockey, basketball, soccer and speed-skating exhibitions. Conceivably, they say it could serve as home for a professional indoor soccer team.
``Our primary focus is going to be all facets of in-line skating,'' said Murdoch, who along with Gresalfi owns a pair of Virginia Beach computer firms - USA Systems Inc. and USA Information Systems.
``Nobody else on the East Coast has a facility of this kind.
``It won't have enough seating for RHI (Roller Hockey International, roller hockey's major league). That's not to say it won't be able to grow, but we're not building this for professional sports.''
Rather, the for-profit facility is designed primarily for youth and adult recreation leagues, he said.
The facility will have two standard roller hockey rinks, with boards, glass and plastic skating surfaces. It will also have a 50-by-60 foot stage for concerts, plays and meetings. The main arena will hold about 6,000 spectators for concerts.
Murdoch says his group will form recreational roller hockey leagues. Soccer and lacrosse leagues will be managed by existing local organizations.
``We've already made contact with the local soccer councils,'' he said.
Murdoch says he plans to book exhibitions with the NBA Jamz and NHL Breakout teams - touring pros who play exhibitions sanctioned by the NBA and NHL - and probably will stage in-line skating clinics with the Hampton Roads Admirals ice hockey team.
``We've had conversations with'' Admirals owners Mark Garcea and Page Johnson, said Murdoch, who was president of the Hampton Roads Youth Hockey Association for three years.
Most Virginia Beach City Council members have been briefed on the proposal, and several say they support the project. But before the proposal goes to council, the land must be rezoned from agricultural to business and a conditional recreational use permit approved by the Virginia Beach Planning Commission, said Charles M. Salle, attorney for Murdoch and Gresalfi, and a member of the city's Planning Commission. Salle will abstain from voting on the project.
A Planning Commission vote has been postponed while the group negotiated the exterior design of the building with city officials. Some city officials have pressed Murdoch and Gresalfi to change the building's appearance to conform with that of nearby office buildings.
Councilwoman Louisa M. Strayhorn said she has worked behind the scenes to push the project along. She says she favors the project because it has broad community support and will provide a much-needed recreational facility in the area.
``I hope the process doesn't interfere with them getting the site,'' she said. ``I'm in favor of this. This is a good thing.''
The Planning Commission is expected to vote on the proposal Oct. 9, with the City Council to follow on Oct. 22. MEMO: Staff writer Karen Weintraub contributed to this story. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic and color illustration
CAPACITY: The indoor facility would seat 4,060
LOCATION: Dam Neck Road near Corporate Landing Office Park
USES: Would serve as home to recreational roller hockey, lacrosse,
volleyball and soccer leagues
THE COMPLEX: Would include an adjoining 686-seat arena, a
restaurant, pro shop, arcade game room, health club and locker
rooms. by CNB