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Residents urge township to preserve Island Athletics recreation as airport lease talks continue
Summary
Dozens of residents urged township leaders on Oct. 27 to preserve Island Athletics recreation at the airport hangar, noting health and community benefits.
Dozens of residents and regular users of Island Athletics told the Grosse Ile Township Board Oct. 27 that the airport hangar has become an important local fitness and social hub and urged township leaders to ensure continued recreational activity there.
Speakers described a range of activities at the hangar — from pickleball and tennis to senior aerobics and group fitness classes — and said for many older residents the facility reduced medical visits and provided crucial local access to exercise. “It went so well with the help of these ladies that I decreased my visits to U of M, by twice a year,” Joan Jacobs said, describing improved health outcomes after using Island Athletics.
Several speakers also asked for clearer, faster communication from township staff and the Airport Commerce Park about a proposed new operator. Mike O’Donnell and other commenters said they had seen notices about a potential new fitness center and requested details so users can decide whether to remain with Island Athletics.
Township staff and board members said negotiations with a prospective tenant were active but not finalized and cautioned that the township could not publish firm details until a lease was executed. Brian, representing the Airport Commerce Park, announced a special meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday in township hall to consider approval of a lease for 9251 Grow Road — the former Nate’s / Island Athletics building — and invited interested residents to attend.
Why it matters: The building houses activities used regularly by older residents and others who said proximity and low travel burden matter. Residents urged the township to encourage a solution that preserves drop-in recreation and senior programs.
Next steps: Staff said they would ask the airport manager about issuing a public statement as soon as a lease is executed and encouraged residents to attend the announced special Airport Commerce Park meeting where the lease for 9251 Grow Road will be considered.
