EDGE SPORTS GLOBAL LLC negotiates partnership agreement between ALBANY ROAD REAL ESTATE PARTNERS LLC and 200X85 HOLDINGS LLC to showcase the 200×85 New England Hockey Experience through 2028

Albany Road Real Estate Partners (“Albany Road”, www.albanyroad.com) through their operational partner EDGE Sports Global LLC (“EDGE”,  www.edgesportsgroup.com) is pleased to announce a five-year partnership agreement with 200×85 Hockey (“200×85”, www.200×85.com) to provide an exceptional hockey experience at its nine New England venues.

Brian DeVellis, President of EDGE Sports Global LLC, stated “EDGE is thrilled to match one of the best-in-class tournament and showcase organizers in the industry in 200×85 with the premier venue ecosystem in New England in Albany Road.  The logical partnership will assure that 200×85 has ample facility bandwidth to grow its hockey experience, while at the same time allowing Albany to lock down one of the best tournament groups in the country.

Kevin Mann, President, and CEO of 200×85, added “the slate of facilities that EDGE professionally manages for Albany Road is the perfect assemblage of facilities for our events.  For twenty years, 200×85 has prided itself on providing a complete event experience for all players, coaches, and families. On the ice, it is all about creating a competitive balance. Off the ice, we are always looking to ensure attendees to have memories that last a lifetime.  The EDGE / Albany portfolio epitomizes that goal.  We are thrilled to join forces to make sure we remain the premier provider of hockey experiences in New England.

Tyler Savonen, Vice President at Albany Road, offered the following: “We are very excited to further diversify our athletic facility (youth sports) platform with the successful partnership with 200×85. We feel that the partnership will not only benefit the teams and players associated, but the entire youth hockey industry across New England. Overall, the global youth sports industry continues to grow rapidly as demand for youth sports participation rises exponentially; a concept that continues to fuel the overall investment strategy of this platform.”

In February 2022, Albany Road launched an athletic facility platform with an initial acquisition of five best-in-class athletic facilities across Greater Boston. Consistent with the platform’s original investment strategy to grow in size, scale, fueling operating efficiencies, and expanding the youth sports ecosystem, Albany Road furthered the platform with four additional facilities and five premier youth hockey programs. The Albany Road / EDGE partnership expects to continue to diligently acquire athletic facilities in the future

BOSTON SPORTS INSTITUTE NAMED THE OFFICIAL TRAINING HOME OF BOSTON’S PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE (PWHL) TEAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOSTON SPORTS INSTITUTE NAMED THE OFFICIAL TRAINING HOME OF BOSTON’S PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE (PWHL) TEAM

WELLESLEY, MA (November 13, 2023) – The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has announced that its Boston franchise will call Boston Sports Institute its official home for on- and off-ice training throughout the season. PWHL Boston opens training camp this week, with the inaugural season to begin in January.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Boston Sports Institute as our practice facility,” said Danielle Marmer, PWHL Boston General Manager. “The facility boasts two ice sheets, a rehabilitation center, and a state-of-the-art strength training facility, creating a truly professional experience for our athletes. These resources will not only promote team success but allow our players to commit to their individual growth and development. The Boston Sports Institute has also played a crucial role in establishing a player lounge, office space, and locker room enhancements. These additions will undoubtedly contribute to making our PWHL Boston family feel right at home, and we are sincerely grateful for their support.”

The PWHL officially launched in August with the introduction of six original teams and the foundation to assemble rosters featuring the best women’s hockey players in the world. Among the stars suiting up for Boston are U.S. National Women’s Team members Hilary Knight, Megan Keller, Aerin Frankel, and the team’s third overall draft pick Alina Müller.

“Pairing PWHL Boston with the Boston Sports Institute Wellesley connects the best in class of women’s professional hockey with the premier family recreation and entertainment facility in Massachusetts,” said Brian DeVellis, President of EDGE Sports Global LLC, the programming and operational manager of BSI. “At BSI Wellesley, PWHL Boston will enjoy not only an exceptional facility with unparalleled amenities, but through its partner facilities and programs, will have access to some of the premier youth players in New England to showcase their skills and love of the game to the next generation of players.”

The Boston Sports Institute, a Steward Family Facility, is a multi-use recreation center conveniently located at 900 Worcester Street, Wellesley (Route 9). The facility features two NHL regulation ice surfaces (one fully sled hockey compatible), indoor turf/court field house, competition swimming pool, warm up pool, Boston Sports Performance Center (physical therapy / strength & conditioning), track, and much more.

Fans can stay connected to the PWHL, register for email updates, and secure their spot in line for buying tickets by placing a deposit at thepwhl.com, and follow @thepwhlofficial and @pwhl_boston on all social media platforms.

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Media Contact:
Paul Krotz
PWHL Director of Communications
647-505-8010
paul.krotz@thepwhl.com

Metal Building System Accommodates Different Environments in Boston Sports Institute

Metal buildings are engineered systems that offer construction flexibility, allow for large clear spans and provide diverse building configurations to accommodate sports facilities of varied shapes and sizes. A case in point is the Boston Sports Institute (BSI), a 130,000 square foot multipurpose recreational and entertainment facility located in Wellesley, Mass.

“Special attention had to be given to all sealing details as the building has two very extreme and different environments—ice arenas on one side and pools on the other,” said Tony Barnes, President, Barnes Buildings, the steel contractor for the project.

Brian DeVellis, President of ESG Associates Inc. dba Edge Sports Group which developed the project, noted that metal building technology has evolved over the past 15 years to include insulated panel and roof systems. “It’s come such a long way, and this has been phenomenal for us,” he said.

Embracing Aesthetics

The BSI project incorporated 58,000 square feet of insulated metal panels (IMPs) from Metallic Building Systems in a variety of orientations, colors and designs. The horizontal and vertical strips of gray, white and sandstone panels are aesthetically pleasing and, most importantly, provide an all-in-one, built-in vapor and air barrier plus insulation system.

IMP thermal properties are especially important in maintaining a chilly 55°F inside the facility’s two NHL ice rinks and warm 82°F in the pool area.

Up On the Roof

To heat and cool the facility, three dozen HVAC units were installed on the roof. However, for the rooftop in the pool area, all equipment-supported steel and roof curbs had to be precisely installed for the large units. With no tolerance for error, Barnes said coordination with the HVAC manufacturer and subcontractors were essential to ensure curbs were properly located.

BSI has solar panels on its roof, and the facility has a heat exchange system between rinks and pools. Compressors used to create ice also generate heat, which is then pumped to the pools to warm them.

“Routing eight-inch gas lines and heat exchange pipes was a lot easier with a clear span building. You can hang these instead of having to break through walls,” DeVellis said. “Maintenance and improvements for these systems are easier to complete because they are all open and easy to access.”

In addition, he cited construction durability and ease of design as other benefits of using a metal building system.

“These institutional buildings have to be strong. You have a million kids running through them with hockey sticks and basketballs. We don’t have mahogany-and-gold-plated chair rails,” he said. “These buildings are metal and concrete and durable as hell.”

A Public-Private Venture

DeVellis explained that the recreation center began as a private-public partnership between Edge Sports Group; which constructed, manages and owns BSI; and the town of Wellesley, Mass. Wellesley owns the land, and local schools and community sports groups are given priority scheduling when using the facility.

Typically, in projects like BSI, there is a ground-lease agreement for at least 50 years. For that term, the municipality has locked-in fees and set times of usage.

Total project cost of BSI, including site development, building design and construction, was $26.3 million. It took 18 months from construction start to occupancy.  Dacon Corporation in Natick designed and built the facility implementing sustainable principles throughout to minimize environmental impact and optimize operational costs.

DeVellis explained that actual construction of the building took less time than this, but a gas-line explosion in another part of Massachusetts created a delay because the state temporarily halted all gas tie-ins. ESG also experienced delays in installing traffic signalization through the winter season. Without these delays, he said it would have taken about 10 months from ground-breaking to occupancy.

BSI was designed to be useful for all athletes with the design of a wheelchair-accessible pool and deck and a sled-hockey-compatible indoor ice rink.

“Even though making buildings accessible has been required since the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, sports facilities have always been the outlier. Hockey rinks, for example, haven’t been a model of accessibility,” DeVellis said. “We are one of the only New England hockey facilities that has a fully accessible sled-hockey rink where athletes can actually skate off the ice and into the benches,” he said. “The benches get removed and there is plexiglass that people can see through. So, it’s a great experience for players and spectators. The pools need to have lifts to be accessible according to code, but this is the most accessible facility that we’ve done–and each one we build gets a little bit better than the last.”

Building a Sports Ecosystem

DeVellis uses the term “sports ecosystem” in describing BSI because the venue has sports, leisure and support services, such as tutoring, healthy food services, strength and conditioning and shops that allow users to experience a variety of services. “Often, athletes go somewhere else for physical therapy and injury recovery,” he adds. “We believe that we can do more for injury prevention by having sports medicine on site.” He adds that having strength and conditioning services housed on site is beneficial in terms of training athletes.

“Injury prevention includes things like concussion awareness, yoga and understanding the value of good nutrition and sleep. There is much more emphasis on injury prevention versus treatment,” he said. “So, the sports ecosystem is everything surrounding an athlete.”

DeVellis adds: “Everybody, at some point, is either an athlete, loves an athlete or is a spectator so the demand for these types of facilities is high.”

Project Details:
Building:
 Boston Sports Institute
Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts
Size: 130,000 square feet
Metal Structure: Metallic Building Systems (primary and secondary steel framing, roof)
Metal Panel Manufacturer: Metl-Span LLC, (insulated metal building panels)
Trusses: Rigid Frames by Metallic Building Company
Roof: Doublelok 24 Ga. Standing Seam by Metallic Building Company
Fasteners: Metallic Building Company
Doors & Windows: GC
Curbs: LM Curbs
Architecture, Architectural Engineering & General Contracting: Dacon Corporation,  PDA Associates, Inc.
Structural Engineering: DeSimone Consulting Engineers
HVAC Engineering: Environmental Systems, Inc.
Electrical Engineering: Rivers Electrical Corporation
Metal Building Engineering and Construction: BARNES buildings & management group, inc.
Specialty Pool Engineering and Installation: Weston & Sampson, Myrtha Pools
Fire Protection Engineering: Platinum Fire Protection Services LLC
Plumbing Engineering: GCI General Contractors
Acoustical Engineering: Cavanaugh Tocci Associates, Inc.
Refrigeration: Independent Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Ecological Science: BSC Group
Energy Modeling: Demand Management Institute

 

November 18th, 2022 | Rural Builder Magazine
Source: https://ruralbuildermagazine.com/metal-building-system-accommodates-different-environments-in-boston-sports-institute/

Sports and Fitness Fit the Metal Building Model

Sports and fitness are two related lifestyle industries that focus on leisure options for people of all ages, interests and incomes. They represent many diverse options.

SPORTS & FITNESS INCLUDE:
Gyms and physical fitness centers
Yoga studios
Martial arts training
Dance studios
Natatoriums
Sports courts (volleyball, racquetball,
basketball, squash, etc.)
Indoor skydiving
Bowling
Hockey
Soccer
Football
Neighborhood activity centers

Metal building systems accommodate these types of businesses very well for a variety of reasons.

HERE ARE THE TOP 10…

  1. They meet the criteria of most sports and fitness facility developers. Metal buildings provide business developers with a solution that is quick to construct, long-lasting and low-maintenance. That means lower long-term costs, faster construction that brings the building into service more quickly than other building methods, and minimal facility maintenance requirements over the entire life of the structure.
  2. They deliver a versatile, clear span structure. This means there are no required interior columns to impede the reconfiguration of spaces to accommodate changes in sports/fitness equipment, programs, and consumer expectations.
  3. They are durable. Metal buildings stand strong against extreme weather conditions and catastrophic disasters. They are also exceptionally fire-resistant. Metal roofing, one element of a metal building, has been shown to withstand winds of 140 mph. In seismic zones, low-weight flexible frame options offer higher resistance to tectonic forces.
  4. They are engineered to provide an exact fit for a specific developer’s program. The building layout is defined, the building components are manufactured, then all materials are delivered to the construction site as a complete package—assuring single-source responsibility and prompt product delivery. The standardization inherent in systems-based buildings makes design, manufacturing, delivery and building erection possible in as little as two-thirds the normal time for conventional structures.
  5. They support process-driven development. A metal building is ideal for sophisticated developers because its design-build model is based on process and critical path, increasing efficiency in both design and construction. Interface with computer-aided design, along with the ability to clad buildings in brick, precast concrete, stone, wood, architectural metal or glass allows great flexibility in design aesthetics.
  6. They offer competitive advantages. Advancements in the fabrication of structural elements provide a faster return on investment for a building owner. Since all elements are factory-fabricated, they are pre-cut and pre-punched under precise factory conditions. As a result, quality is increased while waste is decreased. Building erection time and costs are highly predictable since all parts are manufactured and shipped to the site—typically within six to eight weeks from the time an order is submitted. These short build-out times translate to earlier occupancy and a quicker start of business.
  7. They expand easily. When a developer achieves success in a sports or fitness location, there is logically a need to expand. With metal building systems, that potential is already built into the products. Expansion typically involves the simple removal of an end or side wall, erection of additional structural frames, and matching the existing wall androof coverings to the addition. This flexibility naturally cuts costs and reduces the time and inconvenience typically required to expand or add to an existing structure.
  8. They exhibit respect for the environment. Metal buildings are composed of steel and are 100% recyclable. Nearly every metal building component incorporates recycled steel. An independent study also reveals that, for the types of projects where metal buildings are most economical, they typically perform better in life-cycle analyses and have the least material impact on the environment.
  9. They provide design criteria to stifle noise. Sports and fitness facility developers are typically concerned about noise levels generated by crowds, cheering and team-spirited revelry. With metal buildings, the proper use of thermal insulation helps prevent the transmission of exterior sound, while quieting the noise within a building by absorbing reverberating sound.
  10. They allow for design flexibility. When a developer wants to promote a consistent brand that makes a franchise memorable, they will want to use textures, colors and design elements that represent that overall brand. Metal buildings provide versatility to meet each of the branding objectives through the use of cladding products, alternative coatings, specialized steel elements and unique structural formations.

Architects and constructors who specialize in metal building design-build strategies attest to the value, creativity, reliability and speed of delivery that is found in this form of construction. About half of all one- and two-story commercial buildings in America are created with metal building systems engineering. To speak with an accredited design-build architect or contractor in your area, contact mbma@mbma.com.

CASE STUDIES IN BUILDING EXCELLENCE FOR SPORTS & FITNESS

BOSTON SPORTS INSTITUTE

Boston Sports Institute in Wellesley, Massachuetts, is a four building complex offering nearly 102,000 square feet, which provides space for ice rinks, a pool house and a field house with mezzanines for viewing stands and a running track. Other facility features include locker rooms, a warm pool, offices and mechanical rooms. The design incorporates a multi-span gable, symmetrical building and a multi-span gable, un-symmetrical building with an attached single-slope building.

Unique project challenges were addressed throughout the design and construction process. Each required careful coordination among key constituents: the architect, PDA Inc., the general contractor, Dacon Corporation, and the erector, BARNES buildings & management group inc.

One difficulty was the erection of steel over the pool excavation using a 110-ton crane and aerial equipment inside the pool excavation. The challenge was exacerbated by property constraints that allowed only minimal site access on three sides of the building. Another challenge was the installation of the complex iron package, which included a monumental stairway to the mezzanine level, six sets of steel pan stairs, guardrails at the running track and guardrails with wire mesh at all viewing stands, a ships ladder to the roof hatch, a grated tread stair for the pool mechanical room, an elevator pit ladder, a hoist beam, masonry lintels and a galvanized cooling tower.

For mixed-use sports facilities such as this, it is necessary to design the buildings to address high energy demand, temperature fluctuations and humidity-controlled environments related to ice rinks, natatoriums, turf fields and public areas. Operating costs were addressed and reduced by taking extracted thermal energy to keep the rinks frozen and reclaiming it to heat the pools via loop systems with heat exchangers and circulation pumps. Additional energy efficiencies were achieved by specifying LED lighting, high-efficiency water heaters and an ammonia refrigeration system. The 100,000-square-foot roof area and electrical infrastructure are designed to accommodate a 900kW photovoltaic array to reduce electrical grid demand and carbon emissions.

The high interior relative-humidity levels of the natatoriums (60%) and ice rinks (48%) present an increased risk for condensation across the boundaries of adjacent spaces, adding a level of complexity to interior wall construction. To guard against corrosion, all exposed metal parts are stainless steel with wall and ceiling surfaces finished with epoxy. Thermal insulation, window insulation and vapor barriers help to manage the humidity hurdles. One problem was averted when the design team gave careful consideration to minimizing glare in the competition pool, a potential safety hazard and hindrance to competitive swimming. Anticipating the solar geometry, windows were strategically positioned high on the north side, limiting direct sunlight on the water’s surface to only a few hours per year.

With a movable bulkhead, chair lift and drop-in stair, the competition pool can be reconfigured for multiple uses, such as water polo, competitive diving and recreational swimming. Large-view windows emphasize transparency between sports areas, contributing to an awareness of activity throughout the facility and providing spectator viewing.

On the second level, above the soccer/lacrosse turf field, is a two-lane track for jogging and rehabilitative walking.

Critical design features of structure, materials, light and color contributed to project success.

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EDGE Sports Group announces pre-design, development services and facilities management agreement for Mosaic Quarter

EDGE Sports Group announces pre-design, development services and facilities management agreement for Mosaic Quarter, an athletics and entertainment-focused lifestyle center located in Tucson, AZ

EDGE Sports Group (“ESG Associates Inc.”) of Wellesley, MA and Bonita Beach, FL has entered an agreement with Mosaic Quarter Development LLC to provide pre-design and development services, along with operations and management services for the athletic facilities located within Mosaic Quarter, a part of the Kino Sports & Entertainment Complex in Tucson, AZ. Mosaic Quarter’s athletic facilities include MQ Iceplex (3-sheet ice sports facility), MQ Field House (130,000 sf indoor multisport facility), MQ Sportsplex (76,000 sf indoor multisport facility) and MQ Stadium (8,500-seat enclosed multipurpose stadium).

“We are extremely excited to be working with Mosaic Quarter Development to provide predevelopment services and manage its athletic facilities, a project on which we have been advising over the past three years” said EDGE Sports Group president and founder Brian DeVellis. “EDGE has been fortunate to have created an historical knowledge base over the past fifteen years that can support these types of projects. We have brought that expertise to projects across the country; and now look forward to expanding our footprint in working with Mosaic Quarter Development as it creates a unique family sport and recreation ecosystem that will benefit those that live, work and play in Pima County.” It was also recently announced that EDGE Sport Group has signed on to facilitate similar design, development and management services for a 60-acre Sports Campus at Olympus in Clermont, FL.

Frank Knott, senior managing director of Mosaic Quarter Development said “We are thrilled to expand our relationship with EDGE Sports Group. During the past three years we have developed a wonderful working relationship with Brian DeVellis and his team that has positively impacted the design and programming of Mosaic Quarter’s athletic facilities. As we continue to develop Mosaic Quarter, our agreement with EDGE Sports Group will assist us in our mission to create a community-centric, enduring and inclusive recreational, athletic and entertainment experience.”

About Mosaic Quarter

Mosaic Quarter is a 90-acre sport and entertainment-focused lifestyle center that completes the development of the Kino Sports & Entertainment Complex in Tucson, Arizona. With over one million square feet of facilities and amenities, Mosaic Quarter will serve as a destination point for Southern Arizona residents and tourists alike. Mosaic Quarter will provide much needed practice and competition space for youth and adult recreational sports and collegiate athletic programming. As a public-private partnership with Pima County, Mosaic Quarter will promote multiple forms of regional economic development, including 46,000 jobs and $7 billion in economic development activity, with over 92% of economic benefits taking place beyond Mosaic Quarter’s boundaries.

About EDGE Sports Group

EDGE Sports Group (ESG Associates Inc.) was formed to react to the growing demand for public private partnerships that provide year-round athletic venues. EDGE assists clients navigate through public processes at the local, state and federal levels; work with private capital and conventional lenders to obtain financing; and establish the programming and operational framework required to sustain the model. EDGE is a full-service company that brings over 30 years of private and public recreational design experience and offers the full gamut of strategic and operational services in: Assessment, Feasibility & Market Studies; Design, Permit & Construction Management; and Programming & Operations.

In addition to Mosaic Quarter, the EDGE Sports Group-managed portfolio also consists of:

  • Boston Sports Institute … a Steward Family Facility in Wellesley,
  • Thayer Sports Center in Braintree,
  • Foxboro Sports Center in Foxboro, and
  • Hobomock Arenas in Pembroke, and
  • Essex Sports Center in Middleton,
  • Boch Ice Center in Dedham, and
  • Worcester Ice Center in Worcester MA.

 

Media Contact

Tara Burgess

EDGE Sports Group Information Contact 

Chris Collins, EDGE Sports Group 

collins@edgesportsgroup.com  | (951) 440-9397 

Mosaic Quarter Development Information Contact 

Mary Davis, The Caliber Group 

mdavis@calibergroup.com  | (520) 270-9662 

 

Olympus

Olympus Sports Campus revs up for groundbreaking, attracts key partnerships

NHL Legend, Phil Esposito, founder of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and EDGE Sports Group, sports ecosystem specialists, join the Olympus Sports Team

Clermont, Fla. (Aug. 2, 2022) – Olympus, the innovative master-planned community and lifestyle destination encompassing 250 acres in central Florida, is revving up for a 2023 groundbreaking on its dynamic Sports Campus. The campus, uniquely programmed to include a cutting-edge Performance institute, impressive range of multi-sport training and competition venues and  a year-round schedule of amateur, collegiate and elite events, will be bolstered by new and exciting partnerships with NHL Ice Hockey Hall of Famer and founder of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Phil Esposito, and Boston-based EDGE Sports Group.

Esposito, one of the greatest ice hockey players and one of the most influential ice hockey executives of all time, is now the founding member of the Ice Center at Olympus. Estimated to cost $20 million, the Ice Center at Olympus will feature two NHL regulation ice surfaces (including one fully sled-hockey-compatible surface) for ice hockey and figure skating training and competition.

 “Olympus is a truly visionary community and incredible sports destination,” said Esposito. “I’m so proud to be a part of the Olympus Ice Center, which is not only going to energize the growth and popularity of ice hockey in Florida, but also globally.”

Esposito, whose likeness is immortalized on a statue at Tampa Bay’s Amelie Arena, continued, “The Ice Center at Olympus is the perfect platform for teams like the Lightning to deliver exceptional development programs to Central Florida. It’s also the perfect venue for high school, collegiate and professional team training and international competition.”

“From the moment we began planning the Ice Center at Olympus, I knew Phil was the right partner,” said Michael Carroll, CEO of Olympus. “He brings an incredible passion to the Center’s development and programming. I value his friendship, leadership and the important role he plays as a global ambassador for the sport of ice hockey.”

It was also announced today that Olympus has developed a strategic partnership with Boston-based EDGE Sports Group, the premier athletic ecosystem specialists, to facilitate development, design and management of the 60-acre Sports Campus at Olympus.

EDGE is a powerful addition to the Olympus team, bringing over 30 years of experience in delivering on all aspects of sports venue design, development and management,” said Carroll.

Located at the highest elevation on the Olympus property, overlooking the internal lake with dramatic views of Central Florida, the Sports Campus will feature traditional and emerging sports across indoor and outdoor training and competition venues; a year-round schedule of amateur, collegiate and elite events with onsite hospitality and entertainment; and an all-encompassing Performance Institute for top athletes from around the globe.

“We are honored to join forces with Olympus and its team to deliver a self-sustaining, thriving and globally renowned sports hub and destination in Central Florida,” said Brian DeVellis, founder and president of EDGE Sports Group. “Our job doesn’t end when the last brick is laid. We ensure that the Sports Campus at Olympus remains a community cornerstone for decades to come.”

The crown jewel of the sports campus will be a 5,800-seat multi-purpose arena ready to host major sporting and entertainment events. The sports campus will also feature an international soccer center comprised of a 3,500-seat soccer stadium and multiple soccer pitches; the Ice Center; a multi-sport fieldhouse for volleyball, basketball, gymnastics and more; a beach volleyball pavilion; a 4.5-mile trail system for triathlon and other special events; and the largest authentic red-clay tennis court center in the U.S. designed to host large-scale events on par with major international tennis competitions.

“We’re known as the ‘Choice of Champions’ not just because so many elite and Olympic athletes live and train here, but because we carry that way of thinking into our community,” Clermont Mayor Tim Murry said. “Olympus continues to introduce and develop quality and relative partnerships that will allow these athletes even more training and competition opportunities, and that will benefit everyone involved. We are very excited about what is coming soon to Wellness Way!”

The cutting-edge Olympus Performance Institute will help the world’s greatest athletes train, improve, refine and recover with elite-level strength and conditioning, athletic training, nutrition and athletic dining services, and more. Amenities include hydrotherapy, sauna, cold and hot tubs, cryotherapy, and a red-light therapy pod. Additionally, the institute will house an athlete lounge and content creation center giving athletes the opportunity to stay on top of every aspect of their game.

Athletes, fans and guests alike will enjoy the benefits of onsite hospitality at one of four hotels across the Olympus master plan, including a highly-amenitized sports resort and conference center.

Another Olympus partner, Broadcast Service Group, will bring full-service broadcast and video production services to the Sports Campus, ensuring that venues are always broadcast-ready. Broadcast Service Group’s portfolio of clients includes ESPN, NBC Sports, Telemundo, Fox Sports, MLS, Orlando City, US Open Tennis and more.

Already making a significant impact in Central Florida, Olympus is projected to bring more than 2,800 jobs and have an economic impact of more than $1.5 billion at buildout.

To follow the development of Olympus, for more information or to inquire about opportunities, visit olympusorlando.com.

About Olympus

Olympus is designed as a platform for business innovation and economic growth –– a smart, connected wellness community and global sports and entertainment destination. Olympus features a synergistic array of development opportunities in healthcare, wellness, fitness, sports training and competition, hospitality, and residential. These zones of excellence are centered in and around a vibrant Town Center, serving as the heart of the Wellness Way growth area in Greater Orlando. The Olympus development team has created proprietary market drivers –– an innovative master plan, high-value entitlements, world-class partners, a sports campus, and a perfect location. These drivers build business and real estate development within the 243-acre master planned community and destination, which is projected to drive 2,800 direct, onsite jobs and over $1.5 billion in economic value at buildout. For more information visit olympusorlando.com.

Media Contact

Tara Burgess

tara@olympusorlando.com

EDGE Sports Group announces expansion of Pro Shop and Strength & Conditioning Partnerships to BOCH ICE Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 1, 2022

Hockey Gear Pro Shop LLC and Bando Performance LLC, MA set to open within the Dedham athletic complex

Dedham, Massachusetts – The Boch Ice Center in Dedham, powered by SUBARU of New England, is proud to announce the expansion of existing EDGE Sports Group relationships with Hockey Gear Pro Shop, currently operating at the Boston Sports Institute Wellesley, and Bando Performance, currently operating at the Worcester Ice Center. Each tenant partner will operate out of The Boch Ice Center to primarily service the newly expanded Blazers Hockey Club.

The mutual desire of our existing tenant partners to expand operations from other EDGE managed facilities to The Boch Ice Center shows not only the strength of the EDGE Sports Group ecosystem, but the appeal in partnering with the Blazers Hockey Club and its association with the Boch and Subaru of New England brands” said Brian DeVellis, Founder and President of EDGE Sports Group.

“We are thrilled to bring the Bando name and brand to Dedham, and there is no better place to open our third location than in The Boch Ice Center” said George Tavares, managing partner of Bando Performance.  “Our current locations in Woburn and Worcester are a proven concept that joins best-in-class locations with top tier athletic programs and the Bando training system.   We look forward to working with not only the Blazers, but also the youth and high school student athletes to make them better.”

“Launching our third location at The Boch Ice Center in partnership with EDGE Sports Group and the Blazers Hockey Club is a tremendous opportunity for HockeyGear Pro Shop” said its co-owner, Austin Wambolt.  “Building on our positive relationship in Wellesley at the Boston Sports Institute, we are energized by the strength of programming and passion of the Blazers Hockey Club and look forward to servicing its teams and families for years to come.”

Continuing this partnership with EDGE Sports Group is exciting,” said Boch Jr. “We are proud to provide a state-of-the-art space for team building and fun in this community. The success of Boch Ice Center and the Blazers Hockey Club over the years has been incredible, and we look forward to continuing to be a part of their future.”

EDGE Sports Group (ESG Associates Inc.) was formed to react to the growing demand for public private partnerships that provide year-round athletic venues. EDGE assists clients navigate through public processes at the local, state and federal levels; work with private capital and conventional lenders to obtain financing; and establish the programming and operational framework required to sustain the model. EDGE is a full-service company that brings over 30 years of private and public recreational design experience and offers the full gamut of strategic and operational services in: Assessment, Feasibility & Market Studies; Design, Permit & Construction Management; and Programming & Operations.

In addition to the Boch Ice Center, the EDGE Sports Group managed portfolio also consists of:

  • Boston Sports Institutea Steward Family Facility in Wellesley,
  • Thayer Sports Center in Braintree,
  • Foxboro Sports Center in Foxboro, and
  • Hobomock Arenas in Pembroke, and
  • Essex Sports Center in Middleton, and
  • Worcester Ice Center in Worcester.

 

Media Contact

Delilah Knisley, Director Media Relations

EDGE Sports Group / ESG Associates Inc.

delilah@edgesportsgroup.com

Boch Ice Center Extends Naming Rights Partnership With Subaru Of New England And Ernie Boch Jr.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 6, 2022


Albany Road – Sports Complex Investor LLC and ESG Associates Inc. (“EDGE Sports Group”) Negotiate Deal

EDGE Sports Group, on behalf of Albany Road Real Estate Partners, LLC, has expanded the naming rights partnership agreement for the Boch Ice Center in Dedham, MA with Subaru of New England, Inc. through its CEO & President, Ernie Boch Jr.

Affixing the Subaru of New England name on not only the Boch Ice Center, but also on its anchor club hockey program, the Blazers Hockey Club and its 38 boys and girls’ teams, further emphasizes the strength of the branding partnership. The Blazers Hockey Club brand, with teams in both the Eastern Hockey Federation and New England Girls Hockey League, echoes the best-in-class name recognition of both Ernie Boch Jr. and Subaru of New England, and we are thrilled to be able to continue and expand on the relationship” said Christopher Knisley, President of Albany Road Real Estate Partners.

The Naming Rights Agreement extends through 2029, and includes facility naming rights, Blazers Hockey Club program branding, in-facility sponsorship and imaging, as well as in-facility appearances by Ernie Boch Jr. Terms of the partnership remain undisclosed.

Continuing this partnership with EDGE Sports Group is exciting,” said Boch Jr. “We are proud to provide a state-of-the-art space for team building and fun in this community. The success of Boch Ice Center and the Blazers Hockey Club over the years has been incredible, and we look forward to continuing to be a part of their future.”

Albany Road Real Estate Partners acquired the Boch Ice Center in February 2022 as part of a five (5) professional multi-sport athletic facilities portfolio.  The portfolio includes ice rinks, swimming pools, turf fields, basketball courts, strength and conditioning facilities, various physical therapy and medical practices, and pro shops / restaurants / concessions infrastructure, totaling approximately 445,000 square feet. The portfolio aggregation and acquisition was orchestrated by, and will be professionally managed by, EDGE Sports Group, a full-service athletic facility consultant, developer, and manager with over 30 years of experience in the industry.

The opportunity to not only continue, but to build on the partnership with such an iconic New England name such as Ernie Boch Jr. and the Subaru of New England brand was an easy decision for the Boch Ice Center to make,” said Brian DeVellis, President of EDGE Sports Group, the managing partner of the Boch Ice Center.

In addition to the Boch Ice Center, the EDGE managed portfolio also consists of:

  • Boston Sports Institutea Steward Family Facility in Wellesley,
  • Thayer Sports Center in Braintree,
  • Foxboro Sports Center in Foxboro, and
  • Hobomock Arena in Pembroke.

 

Media Contact

Delilah Knisley, Director Media Relations

ESG Associates Incorporated / Boch Ice Center

delilah@edgesportsgroup.com

Thayer Sports Center Locker Room

Promotion Announcement

(Wellesley, MA – April 27, 2022)

ESG Associates Incorporated / EDGE Sports Group is excited to announce promotions of:

Derek Alfama as its new Chief Executive Officer, and

Marybeth Brandt as its new Director of Human Resources, and

Chris Walsh as its new Chief Operations Officer effective April 25, 2022.  

Having served EDGE Sports Group over the past 5, 6 and 7 years respectively, Derek, Marybeth and Chris bring historical knowledge and an in-depth understanding of EDGE’s corporate philosophy, athletic ecosystem model and each’s integration with our valued clients and partnerships.

“I am beyond thrilled to have Derek, Marybeth and Chris take control of our operations component of the EDGE Sports Group ecosystem of facilities and employee base,” said EDGE founder and president Brian DeVellis, who will focus on emerging opportunities and markets while still advising operations on an as needed basis.

“With EDGE’s expansion in the growing markets of Florida and Arizona, along with expansion of its current portfolio partnerships beyond our seven managed properties, our current clients, user groups and partners can rest assured that EDGE Operations will be well served by the steady and trusted team of veteran leadership that has been instrumental in getting EDGE into the position that we are today … as a leader in public private partnerships developing family-oriented athletic recreation centers.”

To learn more about EDGE Sports Group’s current portfolio, please visit www.EDGEsportsgroup.com

Boston Sports Institute

Albany Road JV Nails $86M Sports Package; Brookline Bank Funds ‘Compelling’ Platform

WELLESLEY — It is Game On for Albany Road Real Estate Partners via the Hub-based opportunity fund’s $86.2 million purchase of five first-class athletic facilities in suburban Boston leveraged by $61 million from Brookline Bank. The joint venture with ESG Associates secures 445,000 sf of arena space in an off-market transaction headlined by the gleaming complex here at Boston Sports Institute, a multi-tiered fitness center featuring hockey in its 153,000-sf constitution, an element of all the assets bought.

According to Albany Road President Christopher J. Knisley, the acquisition orchestrated sans brokers is part of a grander vision beyond its inaugural shot across the bow to “a somewhat fractured industry” whose ownership is still primarily individually held and operated. Given his firm maintains “it is no longer a mom-and-pop industry,” Knisley says the partnership “expects this aggregation strategy will generate opportunities to create and/or enhance new and existing revenue streams, and to reduce expenses through critical mass operating efficiencies” and branding of the endeavor.

“This is a unique and compelling opportunity that we are pursuing vigorously yet strategically,” Knisley tells Real Reporter in agreeing the transaction “is like nothing else” in the firm’s investment history which will reach 10 years this summer. Since buying a modest retail plaza in central New Hampshire, Albany Road has acquired over $1.6 billion of assets across the country, most recently via a $250 million fully discretionary fund that has been in business for the past year.

Fund III’s target assets did not match the latest endeavor’s unusual framework, leading to formation of a separate entity to acquire “the Northeast Athletic Facility Portfolio.” Star of the show would be the Boston Sports Institute in Wellesley, constructed in 2018, the two-story building at 900 Worcester St. also offering basketball courts, a pool, pro shop and outdoor fields to accommodate baseball, flag football, lacrosse and soccer.

The Foxboro Sports Center in namesake Foxborough is next in scale, that building turning 20 next year comprising 98,950 sf in a single-story format. Then would be the 90,000-sf Thayer Sports Center in Braintree, also on one level and tricked out as a shiny hockey rink that came on line in 2019. Rounding out the portfolio is the 58,100-sf Hobomock Ice Arena in Pembroke, and the slightly smaller Boch Ice Center in Dedham, a 15-yearold building totaling 44,250 sf.

Having its CRE footprint emerge across the country since 2012, Albany Road concentrated on many bread-andbutter asset classes including industrial, office and retail, but Knisley says Albany Road’s legacy of consistently delivering hefty returns is being challenged of late by intense competition driving up pricing for certain CRE staples, most notably the industrial realm in which the firm has been especially successful with generating aboveaverage results. The current environment is prompting Albany Road to consider alternative and specialty realms to achieve those aims, Knisley relays in detailing why they shifted into a field that has elements of an operating company.

Addressing that complexity is ESG Associates, aka Edge Sports Group, whose President Brian DeVellis launched the group a quarter-century ago as a full-service athletic facility consultant, developer and manager formed to respond to a growing demand for recreational programming from communities, schools and other private and non-private organizations. “Without the comfort and confidence we have in Brian DeVellis and his group, we would not have done this deal,” Knisley declares. “They are by far the recognized leader in this space, and we are very enthused and honored to have them on board as we expand this platform in new and exciting directions.”

The initial quintet of assets are focused on a hockey component, but as noted in the Boston Sports Institute, the holdings do come with basketball courts, swimming pools, strength and conditioning rooms and turf fields, as well as various physical therapy and medical practices plus concession and dining areas, pro shops and other retail units. The properties were purposefully assembled across the southern and western suburbs of Greater Boston, “a region known for its passion for youth sports in general, and youth hockey in particular,” outlines Knisley.

Sharing the passion Albany Road is expressing towards the joint venture is DeVellis. “We couldn’t be more excited about partnering with Albany Road on this new platform, given their reputation, strong track record and ability to recognize real estate opportunities ahead of trends,” DeVellis says in a statement to Real Reporter, adding, “This partnership will allow ESG to not only more efficiently manage and grow this portfolio, but to also pivot quickly to capitalize on future opportunities to create a growing eco-system of family oriented sports, recreation and entertainment centers.”

Further validating the concept was the lending community, according to Knisley, who observes that, “given the continuous cash-flow nature of the portfolio, coupled with the ability to enhance bottom-line net operating income, acquisition financing was sought after by a number of different lenders.” Ultimately, the borrowers gave their nod to Brookline Bank. “We are thrilled to further our relationship with Brookline Bank, given our strong history together and mutual respect for one another—we could not have asked for a better lender to join us on this exciting new platform,” says Knisley.

Deeming the process “a fairly nuanced and complex transaction,” Knisley gave a shout-out to loan officers David L’Heureux and Joseph O’Leary “and the rest of the Brookline Bank team” for putting together the victorious lending package.

In terms of any Covid-related hesitations, Albany Road maintains the pandemic will only serve to inspire recreational pursuits going forward, and have other positive elements such as offering diversification from traditional real estate cycles and product types. According to Albany Road Vice President Tyler Savonen, the youth sports and recreation space “is the ultimate panacea to any remote, work-from-home concern that has dominated real estate since the onset of the pandemic. This portfolio, and this space, are insulated from that concern (because) what occurs at these facilities cannot be done remotely . . . Moreover, the demand for youth sports participation has remained stable during the pandemic, as it has historically during recessionary periods.”

As to growth projections, Knisley says the firm is presently getting its arms around the large assemblage of assets to begin the campaign, but adds he is hopeful the firm can double in dollar volume by year end from the initial $86.2 million commitment. The focus for now will remain metropolitan Boston and concentrating on hockey arenas given a perceived lack of development opportunities from competitors. “We expect positive things going forward with this,” says Knisley.

Offices
Massachusetts Office:
EDGE Sports Global LLC
900 Worcester Street
Wellesley, MA 02482

Florida Office
EDGE Sports Global LLC
28031 Winthrop Circle
Bonita Springs, FL 34134

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