Staff Report
BEAVERCREEK — Years in the making, the McAfee Sports Center announced on Thursday it will host a Grand Opening celebration from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 20 at the brand-new facility located at 1321 Research Blvd.
According to the facilities’ website, the building will offer four regulation basketball courts, five regulation volleyball courts, and space available on its 25,200-square feet of hardwood for any sport that can be played on maple flooring.
“The building also houses Christian Life Center and Dayton Strength and Conditioning. There will be building tours, scrimmages every hour, prize drawings and information about our home team sports programs—Beavercreek Stars and Air City Volleyball and Miami Valley Adaptive Sports. The Minute Men Wheelchair Basketball Program will be on hand to play from 12-1 p.m.,” according to a brochure touting the Grand Opening.
Kettering-based McAfee Heating and Air Conditioning obtained the naming rights to the facility in 2013. According to the website, the facility was initially scheduled to open in November of 2014, but sponsorship funding at that time came up shy of the $720,000 goal. Funding was needed at that time in order to complete the hardwood flooring.
According to the website, the McAfee Sports Center got its start in February 2012 when the all-volunteer non-profit corporation known as Ohio South Youth Sport Space (OSYSS) began raising money for the $1 million project. The site explains that OSYSS “is made up of a group of Beavercreek parents, coaches, military leaders,(sic) & business leaders.”
Craig Witker is listed as the OSYSS President; Tom Maloney is the group’s Vice President and Treasurer; while Ed Mechenbier, Jim Alt, Larry Phillips, Shane Mueller and Tim Minnich are listed as OSYSS board members.
McAfee Sports Center says it will be a non-profit organization dedicated to the growth and development of competitive sports in the Miami Valley area.
“… The gym will be able to host volleyball and basketball tourneys, summer camps, and will be the new home of the Beavercreek Stars youth basketball program. …” the flyer said.
The McAfee Sports Center’s amenities include year-round climate control, ample seating for all courts, full-service concessions, a 3,000-sq. ft. weight training facility, indoor batting cages, 10,000 sq. ft. of office space, meeting and party rooms, and the facility is wheelchair and handicapped accessible under Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
