North Fair Oaks to Vote on 'Disneyland' of Indoor Sports Complexes

Developers are hoping to gain a vote of confidence from the North Fair Oaks council Thursday on what would be on the Peninsula.

But even before the Board of Supervisors has viewed the proposal, the developers have already contracted out with superstar athletes and local restaurants for catering for a tentative spring 2012 grand opening.

Developers say this 75,000 square foot “Disneyland” of sports facilities complete with a sports bar, café and upscale arcade would not only be a community hub, but offer programs that would give kids after school activities that would take them off the streets. They said the long process has allowed them to secure contracts with softball superstar Maureen Brady, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s sister, as the director of the softball program and a catering contract with Astaria restaurant in San Mateo.

“We’re just hoping for a blessing from the North Fair Oaks council,” developer Joe Fernando said.

One final meeting with the North Fair Oaks council this Thursday at 7 p.m. will be the last chance for residents to provide input and address any concerns.

The proposal will then go to the county Planning Commission on Nov. 16 and finally in front of the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 13.

Maita Beer Distributors and Fernando, the former owner of billiards and volleyball club The Players in Belmont, teamed up in September to build the complex in the recently emptied former Maita Beer Distribution Plant at 3151 Edison Way.

An initial community concern was potential traffic that the facility may cause.

However, a county traffic engineer said the facility had adequate parking spaces, a problem that has plagued other development proposals, such as the .

One last point developers hope to resolve is the hours of operation. The county prefers the sports facility to close at 10 p.m., like the , whereas they hope to operate till midnight. However, developers are saying that that facility is public, while this complex should be run like the across the street that is open till 2 a.m.

Developers may ask for a conditional use permit that would allow them to operate until midnight for six months, after which time the county can determine if there are any problems with this later closing time.

“We believe this complex will make a bigger positive impact on the community than some people think,” Fernando said.

Indoor sports programs would include soccer, lacrosse, flag football, volleyball and dodgeball. In addition to the 11,000 square foot combo baseball/softball training facility, the developers are hoping to build a 3,000 square foot indoor swim school.

The swim school would target disadvantaged children and those with disabilities, Fernando said.

“By working with the Sheriff's Activitities League, we are proud to introduce our non profit "arm" of the business which will promote participation in our programs for underprivileged kids,” Fernando said.

Two other community meetings were held in February and May of this year.