ARB approves phase 1 of Gotcha Athletic Campus; debate centers on roofing and durability
September 14, 2026 | New Albany, Franklin County, Ohio
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The Architectural Review Board voted Sept. 14 to approve phase 1 of the Gotcha Athletic Campus, a proposed 49-acre athletic complex on the former Discover Building site that will include multiple dugouts, restroom/concession buildings and provisions for future press boxes.
The school district and city are collaborating on the project; city staff (S8) said ARB review covered architectural design only and that landscaping, parking and signage would be handled later during permitting. Architect Nathan Gamelis (S10) told the board the project team revised earlier proposals to address ARB feedback and that asphalt shingles were chosen in part for cost savings and because they believed shingles could provide better resistance to object strikes than certain metal roofing options. "Asphalt shingle does reflect the cost savings," Gamelis said. "However, we did think, as a group, district and sort of, city of items included said it had a higher resistance to projectiles such as baseballs." (S10)
Board members discussed the tradeoffs between standing-seam metal and asphalt shingles. One board member suggested choosing a 40-year shingle to gain thickness and durability; the architect said 30-year is typical but 40- or 50-year specifications are possible. The project includes 30-foot-tall netting behind backstops; Gamelis described the netting layout and said facility glazing and roof materials are being selected to resist impact where necessary.
Members also recommended restroom amenities such as bottle fillers and baby changing stations; staff said those items will be sized and included in the restroom buildings. The ARB approved the design with a condition requiring coordination with the city architect on final block and mortar selection and other final details.
Next steps: applicant to coordinate final material specifications with city architect and to submit site, landscape and permit-level plans for staff and planning commission review.
The school district and city are collaborating on the project; city staff (S8) said ARB review covered architectural design only and that landscaping, parking and signage would be handled later during permitting. Architect Nathan Gamelis (S10) told the board the project team revised earlier proposals to address ARB feedback and that asphalt shingles were chosen in part for cost savings and because they believed shingles could provide better resistance to object strikes than certain metal roofing options. "Asphalt shingle does reflect the cost savings," Gamelis said. "However, we did think, as a group, district and sort of, city of items included said it had a higher resistance to projectiles such as baseballs." (S10)
Board members discussed the tradeoffs between standing-seam metal and asphalt shingles. One board member suggested choosing a 40-year shingle to gain thickness and durability; the architect said 30-year is typical but 40- or 50-year specifications are possible. The project includes 30-foot-tall netting behind backstops; Gamelis described the netting layout and said facility glazing and roof materials are being selected to resist impact where necessary.
Members also recommended restroom amenities such as bottle fillers and baby changing stations; staff said those items will be sized and included in the restroom buildings. The ARB approved the design with a condition requiring coordination with the city architect on final block and mortar selection and other final details.
Next steps: applicant to coordinate final material specifications with city architect and to submit site, landscape and permit-level plans for staff and planning commission review.
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