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North sports plans pending



Redevelopment of land behind the former Wescott Construction will include a health club, multi-sports complex and retail buildings. At least one ice rink is planned as part of the project by developer David Cannata.




Complex being proposed for site next to ex-Jolly Cholly
NORTH ATTLEBORO - Long-awaited plans to redevelop the crumbling Jolly Cholly property apparently won't happen anytime soon.

A sports complex eyed for one of the only undeveloped parcels in an otherwise commercially choked stretch of Route 1 is proposed for 18 acres adjacent to the former amusement park.

Developer David Cannata, who owns 35 acres behind the former Wescott Construction and next door to Jolly Cholly, has applied for a special permit to develop a health club and multi-sports center, along with retail buildings, one of which he said would likely be for an economy car dealership.

The dealership would require a special permit through the zoning board.

The Jolly Cholly property is owned by David Cannata's sister-in-law, Lisa Cannata, and is not set for redevelopment.
Proposals for David Cannata's property have been a work in progress.

Plans for the sports center were initially scheduled to be heard by the planning board Thursday, but Cannata requested to extend the opening of the hearing.

The proposal is now scheduled to be aired before the planning board on Aug. 7.

The first phase of construction, according to Cannata's latest plans filed with the planning department, include construction of a 74,770-square-foot building, which he said in an interview Thursday would include 25,000 square feet for a Work Out World, which that company's owner, Steve Borghi, said is a family health club.

The business partners said negotiations are underway to include multiple sports offerings, perhaps basketball or baseball, in a second phase of construction that would add 40,920 square feet to the center.

At least one ice rink is planned as part of the project, Cannata said. He and Borghi also said there is the potential for the installation of turf outside the building for lacrosse or other uses.

The first phase of the plan would also include construction of a 4,000-square-foot retail building near the proposed entrance to the property, which is before the Wescott property on Route 1 and abutting the old Kai Lua and Right Touch properties.

Plans also include construction of a 25,000-square-foot retail building. Cannata and Borghi said that building would likely be for the car dealership.

Cannata and Borghi declined to comment on whether Borghi would lease the building or own it.

Cannata will need a number of approvals from various town and state agencies for the plans, including the planning and zoning boards, conservation commission, the state environmental protection agency and state highway department. The plans will also need to be reviewed by the Army Corps of Engineers.
The property includes about five acres of wetlands. Curb cuts on Route 1 for access to the site also will need to be approved by the state.

The plans on file at town hall also include residential development for another part of the property that might be pursued at a later date, but Cannata said Thursday he has no plans at this time to build the housing.

The application before the planning board at this time does not include a housing development.

Cannata said he expects local and state approval to take about a year, with construction planned to start as soon as approvals are received. He estimated the first phase of construction would take about five months.

 



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