Taylor Sportsplex

Taylor Sportsplex
Interactive map of Taylor Sportsplex
LocationTaylor, Michigan
Coordinates42°12′33″N 83°16′00″W / 42.2092°N 83.2666°W / 42.2092; -83.2666
OwnerCity of Taylor
OperatorCity of Taylor
Capacity1,000
SurfaceMulti-purpose
Construction
Opened2001
Tenants
Detroit Waza (PASL) (2009–2013)
Eastern Michigan Eagles (GLCHL) (2011–2024)
Detroit Thunder (CIFL) (2013)
Website
www.taylorsportsplex.com

The Taylor Sportsplex is a sports facility owned by and located in the City of Taylor, Michigan. The indoor facility contains four arenas that host a variety of sporting events—especially ice hockey and soccer—and a variety of special events.

History

In March 2012, the ice arena at the facility had to be evacuated due to over 80 people, including around 30 hockey players participating in the state midget major championships, became sick with flu-like symptoms. Investigators concluded the symptoms were caused by a norovirus and closed the facility for three days until it had undergone a professional cleaning. In April 2012, the city council attempted to sell the sportsplex to JRV Consulting, a sports facility management company based in Mount Clemens for $6 million to pay off a $14 million bond debt for the complex but negotiations had ended in September 2013 with the city voting against selling the complex. On December 3, 2015, a shooting took place in the arena parking lot. 57-year-old Timothy Nelson Obeshaw opened fire with a handgun on the car of Sharon Elizabeth Watson, wounding her and killing her 7-year-old daughter, Emma Watson Nowling. "He struck the child first and then opened fire on the mother, and then turned and shot and killed himself," according to Taylor Police Chief Mary Sclabassi. Obeshaw was a family friend who actually lived with Emma, Watson, and Emma's father for the past year or so in nearby Belleville. He had recently moved to a home in Taylor, where police say he lived with at least one other person. Witnesses and family members told police Obeshaw had recently displayed signs of mental instability, and that he believed someone was out to 'get him'.

Facilities

The Taylor Sportsplex is a premiere sports facility owned by the City of Taylor, Michigan. It contains four arenas—two are used primarily for ice hockey and figure skating; the other two are used primarily for indoor soccer. The Belle Tire Hockey Program and Eastern Michigan University are the main hockey tenants. The facility also is used for trade shows, high school graduation ceremonies, mixed martial arts and major sporting events.

Notable events

From March 15, 2003 to March 21, 2003, the Professional Bowlers Association hosted the PBA World Championship bowling competition at the complex with Walter Ray Williams Jr. winning the championship. Until 2017, the Detroit Red Wings used the complex as a home away from home practice facility for upcoming games. From 2004 to 2006 and in 2013, the complex hosted the Tournament of Roller Hockey Series Championship, a roller hockey championship which featured various hockey teams from the United States and Canada.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Komer, David (April 17, 2012). "Sale of Sportsplex to be proposed at City Council meeting". The News Herald. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  2. ↑ Laitner, Bill (March 17, 2012). "Taylor Sportsplex outbreak was norovirus, officials say". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  3. ↑ Chimenti, Carl (March 12, 2012). "State title games delayed, Taylor Sportsplex evacuated due to unexplained illness". MiHockeyNow. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  4. ↑ Komer, David (March 15, 2012). "Sportsplex cleaned, reopened today". The News Herald. Retrieved September 3, 2012.[permanent dead link]
  5. ↑ "SPEAK OUT: After low appraisal, should Taylor still sell the Sportsplex?". The News Herald. August 27, 2012.
  6. ↑ Komer, David (September 3, 2013). "TAYLOR: Despite building appraisal, council votes against sale of Sportsplex". The News Herald.
  7. ↑ "7 y.o. Dies after Taylor Sportsplex shooting". WXYZ-TV. December 4, 2015.
  8. ↑ Jameson, Alastair (December 5, 2015). "Girl, 7, Shot Dead by 'Paranoid' Family Friend in Taylor, Michigan". NBC News.
  9. ↑ "Williams Wins PBA World Championship". The Ledger. March 10, 2003.
  10. ↑ Mantey, Craig (March 10, 2003). "Toledo loses right to host PBA World Championship". Toledo Blade.
  11. ↑ Runkle, Anne (November 8, 2015). "Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars practice at Taylor Sportsplex". News-Herald.
  12. ↑ Merchant, David (June 22, 2004). "Big-time roller hockey tourney hits Taylor". News Herald.
  13. ↑ "World's best teams plan Taylor return". News Herald. June 11, 2005.
  14. ↑ "TORHS & 2HOT4ICE MERGE". torhs.com. November 10, 2012.