CANTON – The newest leaders spearheading the football-themed Hall of Fame Village are eager to let their work speak for itself.
“As a private company, you’re going to hear a lot less than as a public company, but our goal is for everyone to see a lot more and let our actions and our opportunities for events and other things really showcase what we have to offer going forward,” said Michael Cantor, sports and entertainment managing director at Sterling Project Development (SPD).
SPD, a global development and advisory firm based in New York City, is behind numerous stadiums and sports-related attractions — including Titletown in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Cantor oversaw the construction of Titletown near the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field. The multi-use development includes an outdoor park, hotel, restaurants, office space and apartments.
“It is known as one of the top examples for sport-adjacent development in the country, so it became a logical conversation of small markets,” Cantor said. “Green Bay is pretty similar in size and scale to Canton, Ohio.”
SPD is part of the new ownership group, which was formed at the start of this year.
Developer Stuart Lichter, who has been involved with the Village since its start over a decade ago, proposed a stock buyback that took the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Co. private under HOFV Holdings LLC, an affiliate of Lichter’s Industrial Realty Group.
Cantor said the water park is about 65% complete and that 100 to 140 trade workers are on site each day. He declined to share current figures for the water park’s estimated costs and the company’s debt — which amounted to more than $300 million by the end of 2025.
Cantor lives in Green Bay but said he will be in Canton as often “as needed” while juggling family duties and T-ball coaching. He described the Village’s early transition period as a time to listen and learn, with action ramping up soon.
The goal is to focus more on the community and local organizations to draw more year-round visitors, Cantor said. He added that the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a key asset to incorporate into plans.
“It’s a one-of-one, and making sure what we develop really wraps around that one-of-one and is supportive of that ecosystem.”
Jim Porter, president & CEO of the Hall of Fame, described a positive relationship with the new ownership in a prepared statement.
“The communication between the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Hall of Fame Village has never been better,” he said. “We appreciate the vision, background and business acumen Michael Cantor brings to the project.”
Gameday Bay and onsite hotel
The Gameday Bay water park is expected to open late in the first quarter of 2027, with a nearby hotel expected to open by the end of 2027.
The 140,000-square-foot water park with 90,000 square feet of wet space will have a swim-up bar, wave pool and lazy river. The Village has posted updates, including photos of the installation of indoor-outdoor slides, on social media as part of an ongoing “Waterpark Wednesday” series.
The Village recently announced that S&L Hospitality will operate the water park on the southeast corner of Fulton Road NW and Champions Gateway. The Wisconsin-based company has managed hotels and water parks, including the Great Wolf Lodge brand, across the United States.
There is no formal groundbreaking planned for the hotel, which was announced in 2022 alongside the water park as a 180-room Tapestry by Hilton.
“We’re more about just getting to work and less announcements,” Cantor said.
Repositioning retail, rides
In addition to finishing the water park and hotel, Cantor said, the Village is also “pursuing a new retail strategy.”
“The Gridiron Gastropub has been shut down for the moment,” he said. “The goal is to have that repositioned to a new concept by about the time the water park is opening.”
Cantor declined to share specifics but said there are active conversations about potential, family-friendly restaurant, entertainment and retail options. The Fan Engagement Zone currently includes the Build-A-Bear Workshop, Visit Canton Welcome Center, The Brew Kettle with Topgolf Swing Suites, Smoosh Cookies and Heggy’s Nut Shop.
A zip line and drop ride that were part of the Play Action Plaza have been sold and removed. The Red Zone wheel is still at the Village and remains for sale.
What will fill the empty space is not yet determined, but Cantor said the goal is to increase community engagement with repeat, free events and activities.
“We’re working through some open-space concepts, no specific details yet,” he said. “Those will be forthcoming in time, as we get them solidified.”
Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.com
This article originally appeared on The Repository: New exec says Hall of Fame Village water park, hotel are progressing
Reporting by Kelly Byer, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kelly Byer, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
