One Great Idea: Nick Sakiewicz, CEO, Philadelphia Union Soccer

"My one great idea - I think it's a great idea - is to create an Olympic training center in the Philadelphia region ... a training center for multi-sports - soccer, football, lacrosse, basketball, baseball, all the sports, even sports like cycling and field hockey and the tertiary sports - to create an Olympic training center where tournaments can be played at year-round, where kids and families and people can come to Philadelphia from all parts of the country and, for that matter, all parts of the world, stay in our hotels, dine in our restaurants, go to our museums, and enjoy Philadelphia while they're here with their kids around a sporting event."

"The thing about the Northeast is, there's no competition right now. There's no other city in the Northeast, and even the Mid-Atlantic for that matter, that has a center like this. So we would have a competitive advantage if we were able to build one. It makes Philadelphia a destination for international sporting events."

Response to Last Week's Idea

Last week, we asked SEPTA to respond to a reader's question about whether a train stop could be added near the Philadelphia Zoo.

SEPTA officials say the tracks around the zoo are in high demand and being shared by Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, and SEPTA. Adding a stop in the area could slow all those services. In addition, there is limited space to build modern, accessible rail platforms there.

But they say they are interested in more transportation to the zoo. They're considering a seasonal shuttle bus from nearby 30th Street Station, though there are no funds available for that kind of service now. The zoo, meanwhile, is examining whether the obstacles to rail service could be surmounted.

The Inquirer and Philly.com have launched a 45-week project to inspire Philadelphians to suggest great ideas for the city and region.

In our "One Great Idea" project, we're asking well-known and less-known people of our region to tell us their single great idea to change Philadelphia. These video interviews will run on Philly.com each Tuesday and on The Inquirer's Wednesday commentary pages.

Post comments, vote on this idea, or share your own great idea at www.philly.com/OneGreatIdea, or write to inquirer.letters@phillynews.com.