Residents Torn Over Proposed 21 Acre Sports Complex In Mattituck

MATTITUCK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A state of the art gym, pool, and turf fields are at the heart of a debate on Long Island's East End where a 21 acre site in a tiny hamlet is being eyed for a huge sports complex.

Mattituck is a North Fork hamlet with fewer than 5,000 year round residents. The jewel on the inlet in the heart of wine country has a quaint downtown, sprawling farmlands, flower and fruit stands, livestock, open space, and peaceful ways.

"People look at each other, they smile, they hold the doors open, they say hello," Victor Dipaola told CBS2's Jennifer McLogan. "I don't want any changes."

But change is afoot.

"Going to be a place for everyone to go. Old, young, that's what we need," Sandra Lazar said.

Some say there is a dire lack of recreational activities, especially during the bleak winter months.

"I have to ride my horse outside during the winter," Bill Fallon said.

Right off Main Road on a 21 acre plot, a private indoor-outdoor sports facility is being proposed.

A gym complete with swimming pool, yoga studio, batting cages, basketball and tennis courts, and soccer fields, would be part of an 82,000 square-foot complex.

"This is all sports related stuff and health related, that is the biggest thing that we are bringing to this town, yes concerns of traffic, but at the end of the day we are proposing a healthy alternative," Paul Pawlowski, Sports East LLC said.

Pawlowski grew up in Mattituck, and said he and his partners are listening to what locals want and need. The PTA is backing the plan as a way to keep kids away from drugs in a constructive, active lifestyle.

"The property originally was going to be developed as a small strip mall," Ron Dobert said.

"The architecture and the planning is important, how it meshes with traffic," Art Tillman added.

Southold Town will conduct a traffic flow study on the tiny two lane road.

"For the regular Joe like me and my husband that are retired and on fixed income, we couldn't afford to go there," Patricia DeRiddler said.

However, developers have promised tiered memberships with affordable options.

It is now zoned as residential, a special exception permit is needed to build the complex. Developers will apply in the coming weeks.

Developers will leave 14 of the 21 acres as green space, and include a modern wastewater treatment system.