Published: June 22, 2009 10:46 am      

Work begins on family fun center

Ben Mireles is a little man with big plans.

Mireles, who once tried out for a major college basketball team despite standing well under 6-feet tall, has been in the area less than a year, but he’s already trying to make an impact in the Effingham community.

The San Antonio native plans to convert the entire north end of Village Square Mall into a “family sports center.” The project includes the 57,000 square feet formerly occupied by Rural King, as well as the 18,000 square feet formerly occupied by the Jubilee grocery store.

Mireles said activities planned at the BT Family Sports Center include basketball, volleyball, batting cages, billiards, video games, skating rink, wall climb, washers, horseshoes, computer lab, paintball and simulated golf.

Mireles, 32, admits the project is a big one. Nonetheless, with the help of youth volunteers and probationers doing their public service work, he’s aiming for a target opening date sometime next year.

“My objective is to be open 24-7 and be able to accommodate all ages,” he said.

When Mireles moved to the area for family considerations earlier this year, he saw many area youth seemed to have little to do.

“We’ve got kids out there who don’t get any guidance, who say they don’t have anything to do,” he said.

Mireles said his model is David Robinson, the former San Antonio Spurs star who is now a minister in the San Antonio area. But Mireles said he’s modeling Robinson more for his community service prowess.

“I look at him and what he’s done for the city,” he said. “God is giving me the opportunity to do something special here.”

Mireles began working on the old building about three weeks ago, with the help of some young volunteers.

“Ben is coming in here and trying to develop something that could be used by everyone,” said Tim Greenhalgh of Mason.

Effingham High School sophomore to be Sky Rendahl said she’s creating artwork for the center for the experience — and the free admission once the center opens.

For those not volunteering, membership fees will be $25 per month. Non-members can use the center for $3 per day.

Village Square Mall general manager Betsy Price said the center could help her fill vacant spaces at the mall.

“Of course, it will increase traffic,” Price said. “Parents will have something to do while their kids are in there playing.”

Todd Hull, economic development director for the City of Effingham, said the center would be a boom for the south side business community.

“It would be a big plus for the whole area and bring people to the south end of town,” Hull said.

Greg Curl of the Southtown Business Association said Mireles has “an ambitious plan.”

“I think we all feel that if he is capable of doing this, it would be a benefit to the area,” Curl said.

Mireles also is interested in bringing a minor league professional basketball team to the area. He was part-owner of such a team in San Antonio, giving up his interest when he moved to central Illinois.

Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 132 or bill.grimes@effinghamdailynews.com.