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TURTLECREEK TWP. — Warren County officials hope to complete a deal to buy Armco Park soon because they have big plans for the 310-acre site in Turtlecreek Twp., including a proposed complex to host regional and national sports tournaments.

"I envision Armco Park to be like a Sharon Woods, they have the lake where you can rent boats, and walking trails and ball fields and they have concerts there. I think Armco Park can be like that," County Commissioner Dave Young said. "This would be so much bigger and more comprehensive than any one municipality would have. It would be a centerpiece of a county-wide park system."

Young said he views the sports complex and Armco Park as mutually exclusive issues, but that there is room to put the sports complex at park on Ohio 741 north of Otterbein Lebanon Retirement Community.

The county government and the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau has looked at a number of locations, including the 528-acre farm owned by the Cincinnati Zoo north of Mason in Turtlecreek Twp. However, according to the late Dallas Bowyer's will, that land can only be used for zoological purposes. It can't be sold and it will revert to a trust, if the zoo doesn't develop something out there.

Zoo Director Thane Maynard said zoo officials have preliminary plans to breed rare cats on the property. They have a similar operation in Clermont County, where cheetahs and rare birds and other animals are housed. The Warren County site he said would likely just be for catse.

Maynard said the Cincinnati Zoo needs a new location for a variety reasons and another cat breeding operations would not duplicate what the zoo already does in Clermont County.

"We've had the land a long time, and like anybody we're trying to get our act together. There are two big things, one is cost. If we want to have some operations up there, what does it cost to make sure it has containment for wild animals, water and electricity and all the other stuff you have to do," he said. "So for the sake of discussion it could be a $2 million capital expenditure. What's important to me is, if we are going to bring more stuff, you have to pay for it. It would probably cost about $100,000 to run it. We are at the very early stages of trying to put together that plan."

Shirley Bonekemper, executive director of the Warren County Convention and Visitor's Bureau, said her staff, in addition to considering the zoo land for an amateur sports complex, looked at the Grizzly Golf Course the city of Mason just purchased along I-75, because of its location near the other big tourist attractions. However, that site would have been too pricey to convert. They also looked at other spots, but she said that, if the county buys Armco Park, it would be perfect for the sports complex.

"This sports thing is hurry and wait. But I believe in it," she said "Every year our sports marketing programs grow and get stronger and it is a really fast-growing field around the country. I think this is perfect for our county and I and our board of trustees are committed to see it through."

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4525 or dcallahan@coxohio.com.

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