Construction wrapping up at Zone Sportsplex

Published 10:00 am Wednesday, November 29, 2006

POULSBO — As early as January of next year, the Zone Sportsplex may take North Kitsap out to a whole new place for the ball game — the great indoors.

The $3.5 million indoor sports complex project is wrapping up its final stages of construction during the last week of November while its sporty amenities will be installed in early December. That is an awesome feat, Zone general manager and co-owner Ted Thetford said, considering Drury Construction crews were unleashed at the site — on Urdahl Road behind Olhava — beginning in July.

“To get this property — five acres — done in 5 1/2 months is pretty amazing,” Thetford said. “By the end of the year, we’ll have everything done.”

Featuring baseball, fastpitch, soccer and lacrosse, the Zone is a climate controlled multi-sport arena that will allow athletes a winter season venue and beyond.

The Sportsplex will feature three automated batting cages, a live pitching/hitting tunnel, a 10,000-square-foot baseball/softball turfed in-field/shortened outfield and a near-16,000-square-foot soccer field.

In addition to those sports venues, the Zone will also be trying to create an excitingly athletic atmosphere for the community during the day.

“Our goal was not to compete with other local providers, there are plenty of programs and people whose needs are not being met,” Thetford said.

Zone co-owner and programs director Kelli Yeowell Crabtree has compiled a list of daytime programs that should provide an athletic outlet for post-pardum mothers and infants as well as senior citizens during the daytime hours.

“Music-n-Motion” is a program for kids ages 18 months to 4 years old that will focus on building balance, gross motor skills, and hand-eye coordination. While the “Walk to better health” hour will serve as a healthy and dry way for the community to start out the day.

There will be many similar daytime events to draw in both the older and younger generations. For more information and to check out prices, visit www.zonesportsplex.com.

In addition, helping to create its atmosphere, the Zone will also feature a full-service cafe, a small arcade, more than 10 pull-down TV/video screens and an extensive speaker system.

“During the day, it’s going to be a lot about the kids, it will be a fun atmosphere,” Thetford said. “Then, more towards the night, we’ll be getting into leagues.”

The Zone will be offering league play and instructional classes for both adults and youth in the fields of lacrosse, softball, baseball, fastpitch and soccer beginning in January 2007.

Each team will have a “season” of eight games, participants will be able to sign up either individually or as part of a team. For more information, visit the Web site.

The Zone has already formed community partnerships with the North Kitsap Soccer Club, North Kitsap Little League, the Kitsap Youth Lacrosse Association and Bainbridge Island Youth Soccer Club.

“We’ve looked around and we’ve seen what some of the more successful programs have had to do to get a good product on the field,” said KYLA president Ed Flowers, noting the importance of off-season practice.

“They’ll be able to get in and get some practice in before the weather breaks,” Thetford said. “What we get in return is a way to communicate with their members.”

The tentative date for the opening of the building is Dec. 16, while the tentative date for the grand opening/ribbon cutting ceremony is Jan. 4. Thetford said the Zone will be offering a trial run for area teams and organizations during the month of December where they can come in, use the Zone facilities at no charge, and provide feedback about their experience.

The Zone

21291 Urdahl Rd NW Poulsbo Phone:

(360) 697-ZONE (9663)

Web:

www.zonesportsplex.com