Former Disney Exec Turning Football Hall Of Fame in Canton, Ohio, Into A Resort

Plans to build a resort centered around the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, are still on amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The project, headed by former Walt Disney Co. executive Michael Crawford, is on schedule to be completed by the end of 2022 , when live sporting events are expected to, once again, feature live crowds.

“The people’s hunger and desire to consume sports and be in environments like arenas and stadiums and destinations like this will be at an all-time high,” Crawford said, via The Wall Street Journal. “We will be building in a down market and opening in an up market.”

Phase two of Hall of Fame Village construction is targeted to start later this year and cost $300 million. It will consist of hotels, apartments, retail and dining space and a football-themed indoor water park.

Crawford told Yahoo Finance that the future safety of visitors is paramount and his company is working "closely with state and city officials and our operational partners ... to ensure our stadium is in accordance with and exceeding all national and local health measures so that when our fans return, they can enjoy the thrills of football and events in a safe environment."

The first phase of the project included the renovation of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The venue usually hosts the first exhibition game of each NFL season. This year’s scheduled contest between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers was canceled because of coronavirus concerns.

Professional baseball, basketball and soccer have all returned over the last few weeks with games at empty venues.

Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment announced a $390 million deal with Gordon Pointe Acquisition Corp. last year for the project. The companies officially merged and went public last month.

The companies raised $31 million, falling at least $29 million short of their goal after some shareholders backed out, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, reopened at reduced capacity in July after being closed for nearly four months. Other resorts in the United States are still closed or only partially opened.