Nike Giving Consideration To Proposed Sports And Fitness Village In Oregon

Nike is considering a spot near Bend for a world class athletic center.

Portland developer Homer Williams and his partners have been working on the project, tentatively called the “World Sports & Fitness Village,” since early this year, The Oregonian reported.

The development would cover 300 acres west of Bend next to Brokentop resort. The site is part of a 1,200-acre tract owned by Cascade Highlands LLC, a company made up of Williams and four other Portland men - Joe Weston, Frank Piacentini, Robert Bobosky and Issac Kalisvaart.

Nike is supportive but noncommittal.

“This is a proposal that we’re interested in, but whether or not we’re going to pursue it, we really can’t comment on at this point,” said Nike spokesman Lee Weinstein.

“It’s a really interesting idea, but it’s far too early to tell what will happen,” Weinstein said. “We’re not committed to it at this point.”

Nike has not signed on, Williams confirmed.

“Unless Nike is at the table it’s just a pipe dream,” Williams said. “There’s no company other than Nike that could make this happen.”

The village Williams envisions would include space for almost every Olympic sport: baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, track and field, cycling, hockey, skating, kayaking, rowing, shooting, archery and equestrian events.

A 7,000-seat stadium, hotels, restaurants and theaters would round out the complex.

Adjoining land could be used for a golf course as well as more hotels and attractions. Nearby ski slopes and trails would provide a competitive world class setting for mountain sports.

The center would be open to the public so budding athletes and weekend jocks could play on the same fields as their heroes, Williams said.

Williams said the project would be financed from a variety of sources, including the state, which could be asked to help pay for roads and other public improvements.