TOMS RIVER – A sports complex including batting cages, virtual golf, pickle ball and a shooting range is coming to the busy intersection of Fischer Boulevard and Hooper Avenue.
This property has been vacant for a number of years. It had been a mainstay restaurant, Baiamonte’s Italian Restaurant and Pizza King, which Tony Baiamonte later remade into Mugsy’s Sports Bar. The golf driving range came around this time.
Currently, the 7.53-acre property has a one-story restaurant that is 5,915 square feet, a one-story gym that is 4,000 square feet, and a two-story golf range.
A new restaurant will move in. All of these buildings will remain, albeit with some upgrades, according to the Planning Board resolution that approved the new construction.
The existing driving range will be renovated to establish a second floor area bar and lounge. There will also be family-oriented virtual golf booths. The first floor will remain a driving range.
A 20,615-square-foot, one-story indoor gun range with 3,640 square feet of retail floor area will be built closer to the Hooper Avenue side.
The last building to be constructed will be 14,850 square feet. This will house 11 batting cages or four pickleball courts, which can be configured as needed.
The existing 4,000 square foot gym facility will be converted to retail sales and a business office.
Some of the access to the site, as well as parking, will be reconstructed. Some of this will be changed for flow of cars, some will be changed for aesthetic reasons. There will be new lighting.
It was noted that the remains of a gas station also exist at the site, but no gas station is planned at this time.
Some variances were allowed. These are when a rule exists for the property but the land use board allows the rules to be relaxed. The O-10C Office Zoning District requires buildings to be 100 feet from the street. However, the buildings are currently 42 to 75 feet from the street. These pre-existing conditions will be allowed to continue.
The signage on the property is also too large, but they will also be allowed to continue.
There is no township code for parking spaces for this kind of use. It’s estimated to need between 243 and 252 spaces. There are 240 proposed, plus 10 EV credits.
The hours of operation are expected to be as follows: Golf range: 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Restaurant: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Shooting range: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Pickle ball/batting cages: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.; all seven days a week.
The official address is 1675 and 1699 Hooper Avenue, also known as Block 442; Lots 7, 22, 34, and 40. The applicant is 1675 Hooper Avenue, LLC.
