A new sports training facility coming to southeast Ocala received approval last week to sell beer and wine at the snack bar within the planned complex, which will feature synthetic fields, a weight room, meeting space, and locker rooms.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners approved the special use permit during its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 20. The item was included as part of the board’s zoning consent agenda, which is enacted with one vote.
Football Factory will be situated along Baseline Road/SE 58th Avenue, between SE 41st Street and SE 38th Place.
The new facility will be approximately 1,000 feet from the Marjorie Harris-Carr Cross Florida Greenway and is just northeast of the Rotary Sportsplex of Marion County.
Owned by Jay Fratello, the property is comprised of four parcels totaling approximately 3.61 acres. The largest of those parcels (3137-002-15) is 2.77 acres. The special use permit application describes the Football Factory as a “small sided soccer complex with meeting space and weight training.”
Last month, the Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the special use permit request.
According to county records, the beer and wine will be served at a snack bar that will be inside of the athletic venue. It will not operate independently, according to the county. The snack bar will also serve light fare, snacks, smoothies, and other beverages.
“The snack bar/cantina is intended to be an amenity to the athletic venue and is not intended to be a singular destination for dining or beverage service,” reads the staff report.
According to county records, several permits have been issued for the site, although no street address has been assigned yet.
When complete, the building on the site will be comprised of a weight room, meeting space, locker rooms, a hallway, and the snack bar.
“The idea is to serve beer and wine as an ancillary product to the soccer and athletic training” the facility will offer, according to the application.
According to the application, the facility will be used by adults later in the day for leagues and training. As a result, the business will offer food items, smoothies, packaged products, and sports drinks into the evening.
