Oxford’s former Sea Ray plant is in the process of being transformed into a privately-owned recreation center filled with businesses specifically geared toward kids and families.
‘It’s a one-of-a-kind thing,? said Jennifer Geare, property manager/executive assistant with the Lake Orion-based Mills Real Estate Ventures, which bought the building in September 2014. ‘We haven’t seen this anywhere else in our surrounding area or surrounding states.?
The 208,000-square-foot building, at which Sea Ray boats were manufactured and tested for decades, will become the Legacy Center: Community in Motion.
It’s located on the west side of M-24, north of W. Market St. and across the street from Meijer.
Phase I of the project calls for filling the massive building’s southern half with businesses centered around family/youth-oriented recreation, physical fitness and eateries offering healthier choices, according to Geare.
‘We want it to be a place where people are going to come in and spend the day,? she said. ‘Moms can drop off their kids at the swimming pool and get something to eat.?
The center will house new businesses such as a swim school, yoga studio and music school. Geare said these are all definite tenants.
Other potential tenants include a trampoline park and local gym. ‘Some of them are still in the works,? Geare said.
A 3,000-square-foot pool will be constructed as part of the swim school, but it will be a kids-only facility. ‘It’s not going to be like a high school pool where teenagers and adults can go,? Geare explained.
Franchise restaurants are being sought as tenants, but Geare said, ‘It’s not going to be fast food like McDonald’s or Burger King.?
‘We want something healthier,? she explained. ‘We don’t know for sure who’s going to be there yet, but we’re putting our feelers out for some of the bigger names.?
Phase I of the Legacy Center will include some businesses already housed in the building. Great Lakes Kids Energy Zone, Bullz Boxing Club of Oxford, Will Hill Wrestling and Bryants Karate are all staying.
‘They’re all part of our plan,? Geare said.
Construction to make the Legacy Center a reality has already begun. ‘We just put a whole new roof on the building,? Geare said.
Outside, the building will receive a fresh coat of paint and some facade improvements, plus new landscaping and a parking lot renovation.
Inside, three main entrances will be constructed as well as a network of hallways designed to afford visitors access to all the businesses. These hallways will connect to a 5,000-to-6,000-square-foot common area, according to Geare.
‘It’s going to be almost set up like a mall,? she said.
Phase I construction is scheduled to be complete by October.
Lots of ideas are being considered for Phase II of the project including indoor facilities for paintball, volleyball, basketball and floor hockey, according to Geare.
Geare noted the project is the ‘vision? of Lake Orion resident Christian Mills, owner of Mills Real Estate Ventures.
She said he sees the Legacy Center as something that’s going to draw people from other areas to Oxford.
‘It’s just going to do a lot for the community here,? Geare said. ‘Everybody we’ve talked to about it is super-excited. We can’t wait to get everything up and running. This is our main priority.?
Mills owns multiple properties in downtown Lake Orion including the Ehman Center.