A vacant tract of land near a South Jersey community college could soon become the site of a regional youth sports complex under a newly approved $6 million deal.
The Vineland City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Feb. 10 allowing the city to purchase more than 108 acres of vacant land owned by Inspira Health Network.
The property includes 100 acres located next to the Rowan College of South Jersey campus, as well as an additional 8-acre parcel just over the border in Millville, the ordinance said.
Inspira Medical Center Vineland is located about a mile from the property on West Sherman Avenue.
Officials said the site sits beside 65 acres of vacant property owned by the Vineland Development Corporation, with frontage along Delsea Drive, making it “an ideal location” for a regional sports destination.
The purchase would be made jointly with the Cumberland County Improvement Authority, according to city documents. Under the agreement, Vineland’s share of the purchase is $3 million, plus half of the closing costs. The council also approved paying half of a $300,000 deposit, which would be credited toward the final sale price.
The Vineland City Council voted 5-0 in favor of the measure earlier this month, with no residents speaking and no comments from council members before the vote.
In the ordinance, officials wrote that building a youth sports facility would help boost tourism and local economic activity in the city.
“Purchase of the property jointly with the Cumberland County Improvement Authority is in the public interest as the development of a youth sports facility would promote tourism, commerce, employment and economic development of the City of Vineland, and would otherwise create economic opportunities for the City and its residents,” the ordinance said.
A feasibility study by the consulting firm Sports Facilities Companies is underway, and the city will determine its next steps once it is complete, Sandy Forosisky, Vineland’s director of economic and community development, said last week.
No renderings or detailed plans for the proposal have been submitted yet.
