‘This is where the athletes are’: Warm reception for proposed performance training facility in Lake Zurich

A proposed indoor youth and high school sports performance training facility received the enthusiastic support of Lake Zurich village officials.

Planned for a vacant 5.5-acre site on Rose Road in the Lake Zurich Industrial Park, the Tactic Performance Center would span 55,000 square feet or more.

As proposed, the facility would serve youth and high school student athletes and include turf training areas, strength and conditioning space and appointment-based sport-specific instruction, according to material presented to the village.

Lake Zurich resident Casey Tiesman, operating partner and president of the business, has been in the Lake County market for five years. He currently operates a smaller facility at 353 Enterprise Parkway, near the proposed new site and wants to expand and relocate to a larger permanent space.

“This is where the athletes are,” he explained. “This is where we want to build.”

A special-use permit would be required for that use in the industrial park. As is common practice, Tiesman made his case to the village board in a “courtesy review” to get a sense of whether the idea is acceptable or needed changes before proceeding with the official approval process and public hearing.

Tiesman said he currently trains more than 1,000 athletes. There is a need for an expansive space of this type in town, and he doesn’t want to leave the community, he added.

“We’re not a new business asking for a chance. We’re Lake Zurich’s training partner,” he said.

“We won’t open with projections and hope,” he added. “We’ll open with a built-in community and committed organizations already.”

As planned, the “multimillion-dollar development” would include two main integrated spaces large enough for soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, football, flag football and other sports for athletes at any level, Tiesman said.

Training programs in numerous sports would be held year round, he said, adding that he hoped to host “high-level combines and showcases” for athletes from neighboring towns and other areas. There also would be space for tournaments and banquets.

The building would be a destination the village could take pride in, he said.

Pending approvals, the estimate is it would be about 18 months before the doors open.

“It’s a health and wellness asset for the whole community,” Tiesman said.

Village officials gave enthusiastic endorsements to proceed.

“I'm looking at this as being a destination place at this point, not just another sports facility,” said Mayor Tom Poynton, who encouraged Tiesman to proceed.

“I think it’s a good looking building and a good use of that space as well,” he added.