AKRON AGREEMENT BRINGS WORK AND PLAY TOGETHER IN SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP

(October 30, 2001)- In the second agreement of its kind for the city of Akron, Mayor Don Plusquellic announced today the City would construct athletic fields on Akron property in Springfield Township as part of the Joint Economic Development District (JEDD). The 25-acre athletic field parcel was part of the Massillon Road Industrial Park complex and will be similar in concept to the athletic field development in the North Turkeyfoot Industrial Park in Coventry Township that was initiated in 2000.

The city of Akron will utilize the parcel located on Pickle Road, adjacent to Schrop Elementary School (2215 Pickle Road) to construct the field game complex just north of Killian Road. The mayor said this morning that while there is a shortage of field game areas in the region and within the township, there are league games where Ellet and Springfield teams play one another. "Some of the girls softball teams play each other already," said Plusquellic, "so it’s only natural for them to come together here as part of this good working relationship that has evolved since we embarked on the JEDD in 1994."

Terry Albanese, Ward 6 Akron City Council representative said, "Athletic field space is at a premium in our community. This will serve our needs by freeing up time at fields in Ellet while some of the league games move to the new fields in Springfield Township."

"The greatest advantage for the township to being in a JEDD comes from the sewer and water improvements," said Springfield Township Trustee Al Schrader. "However, the project we unveiled today will stand as a visible example of the spirit of cooperation between our communities."

Mayor Don Plusquellic made the announcement at a morning news conference, saying, "In the same way residents in Coventry Township and Firestone Park will be able to share the fields in Coventry Township, our JEDD partners in Springfield Township will share these much needed baseball, soccer and softball fields with residents in the Ellet neighborhoods of Akron."

Two businesses, Quality Mold and Aesco Electronics (under construction) are currently located in the industrial park, and the city is setting aside two acres with frontage on Pickle Road for a future fire station to serve the township. Trustee Schrader said he was happy to get the land for the fire station.

Mayor Plusquellic commented, "This is really a regional approach that we have been taking. I hope we can continue working on other joint projects or activities that help build a better overall community for all of our residents."

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