Bocce isn’t exactly a common sport in Orion Township, but developer Anthony Battaglia hopes to change all that by developing bocce courts and a restaurant on Lapeer Road.
Battaglia, retired from the construction industry, owns Cunningham Limp Company, which has developed projects in the Auburn Hills area. Battaglia has built 80 area Cookers restaurants, and was once to develop Keatington Village before selling it to Stan Aldridge.
Battaglia also designed and built the Orion Kennel Club, which his daughter now owns. He hopes to form Palazzo de Bocce LLC to develop his bocce/restaurant project on Lapeer Road, near Kay Automotive on the property already formerly approved for Dunleavy’s, a restaurant.
“I’m a bocce player, number one,” said Battaglia, who is on the Board of Directors for the United States Bocce Federation. “I’ve won a silver medal for the U.S. Championship. I had the concept of a (Bocce) club here, because there are none, but in Windsor there are 7 or 8 of them…there are lots of them out West.”
The site on Lapeer Road is 5.7 acres, and Battaglia said the building for his project would be 20,000 square-feet. The project would include six synthetic indoor courts and four stone outdoor courts, with a bar/restaurant in the middle that would seat over 100 people.
The project would also include an enclosed court yard of 12,000 square-feet, which required Battaglia to apply for a Special Land Use.
“The restaurant would have a wood-burning pizza oven, and serve Italian food,” he said. “Total, the project will probably require an investment of about $2 million.”
Battaglia said promoting Bocce in Orion Township will also help surrounding business by bringing in spectators and players from around the country and world.
He plans to hold the North America Championships (Canada Versus United States), United States Championship and the World Bocce Championship. Battaglia said an average championship will have 30-40 states bringing teams.
“I’ve applied for the World Cup in 2005…and I’m promised the World Championship in 2004,” he said.
For those unfamiliar with the sport of Bocce, it is a game that can be played with 2-12 people, and the way the game is played is similar to bowling without pins, with the object being to get the large ball next to the little ball.
Battaglia plans to have Bocce team leagues, with open play during the week both afternoon and evenings and open play on weekends.
He will also have individual and corporate outings at various times, along with teaching seminars for adults and children.
“The U.S. is behind other countries in (Bocce),” he said. “One of my goals for this club is having teaching for the youngsters.”
Battaglia has already submitted a site plan to the Orion Township Planning Commission. The plan was accepted and approved for review at the April 16 planning commission meeting, and a public hearing will be held on May 21.
“If I can get through the planning commission, I can start construction in July or August,” said Battaglia. “I hope to open by Thanksgiving.”