Big sports complex approved in Buford

A multimillion-dollar sports and training megaplex is coming to Buford.

The City Commission on Monday approved rezoning of 55 acres along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, paving the way for Elite Sports Academy to build a training facility for young high-performance athletes and teams and sports enthusiasts.

The $33 million complex, expected to break ground in 60 days, would include a 90,000-square-foot training center with two indoor soccer fields, two basketball courts that double as volleyball courts, a junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, and a large fitness center, said Massoud Roushandel, one of three partners involved in the project.

“We want it to be a multisport facility,” he said. “We’re very excited about it.”

The facility, which would be a half-mile north of Highway 20 on Peachtree Industrial, also would have eight full-sized, lighted fields for sports such as soccer, lacrosse and flag football, he said.

The fields should be ready by spring, with Phase 1 of the project expected to be finished within the year, he said.

A 100-room dormitory or hotel is envisioned for Phase 2, Roushandel said.

“It’s still a bit of a work in progress with some moving parts,” Roushandel said. “It’s something that’s going to provide a huge economic impact for the area.”