POULSBO — It is exactly the kind of atmosphere Zone Sportsplex owner Ted Thetford envisioned when the newest indoor athletic facility in Kitsap County opened for business Jan. 27. Thetford said Monday he couldn’t be happier about the positive reception he’s received from residents and visitors since.
“We’re ecstatic,” Thetford said. “The community has really come together supporting it. It’s exciting to come to work every day. It’s worth every second. You get to see a variety of people.”
Between 10-11 a.m. Thursday, the Zone Sportsplex will host a ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating its opening.
The indoor facility gives sports enthusiasts a chance to compete in athletic endeavors when they otherwise wouldn’t be able to do so due to less than ideal weather conditions in the Pacific Northwest. Soccer teams have probably benefited the most from the indoor complex during the winter months.
“Soccer had a really large need in the area. I think we had about 90 teams play in our first session here,” Thetford said. “It’s a really good start.”
The Zone Sportsplex is one of the few places in Washington offering an indoor flag football league. During the first session, eight teams participated. In the second session that began play on April 1, there are 11 teams perfecting their skills on the gridiron.
“I am really excited about our flag football league,” Thetford said. “I think we’re one of the only places in the Northwest that has an indoor flag football league. We have teams coming from Seattle, Tacoma and Everett to play.”
This spring, a wide array of programs are being offered including kids yoga, babes on wheels, booty kick, lil kickers and my little yogi. My little yogi is a unique yoga class for children from the ages of 3 to 6.
“Towards the last 10 minutes of the sessions, they all settle down and lay down on the mat,” Thetford said. “They’re silent for the whole 10 minutes. It’s amazing to watch.”
Perhaps the program promoting the most aerobic activity is the babes on wheels workout.
“It’s a parents and child strollers class. Parents push their strollers around the field,” Thetford said. “It’s a great cardio workout for the parent.”
The fun doesn’t end in the spring, the Zone Sportsplex is just gearing up for the sunshine of summer. Starting in June, the facility will put extra emphasis on summer camps.
“The highlight of the summer will be the camps we are offering,” Thetford said. “We will focus on a variety of different sports for the whole summer.”
