16 Sep 2018
Posted by Caitlin Alwine 
$17.5 million facility will open in October. (Photo: Jesse Fuerte)
HAMMOND, In. – From new basketball and volleyball clubs to youth soccer programs,
Hammond’s new state-of-the-art Sportsplex will offer great opportunities for those who participate in organized sports or leagues.
“Sports in itself is a fun and exciting environment. Our goal is to keep it that way,” Kymberli Roberts, assistant general manager of basketball and volleyball at the Sportplex, says. “We want the Sportsplex to be a place where people want to come back because they had such a great experience.”
The $17.5 million facility at 6630 Indianapolis Blvd., will open Oct. 1 after over a year of construction.
The center will open in the shadow of the now closed Carson’s department store in what used to be the Woodmar Mall shopping area.
The 135,000 sq. ft. complex will feature six basketball courts, two indoor soccer fields, six batting cages, and much more.
When asked what differentiates this sports complex from other facilities, Roberts says there are two regulation size, glass enclosed soccer fields. The basketball courts are also constructed with 52,000 sq. ft. of hardwood maple flooring.
“The Hammond Sportsplex is going to have an AAU youth basketball program contracted to use our facilities. On the soccer side we will be introducing Futsal (soccer played on a hard surface with a heavier ball.) There are also leagues, open play, and training for children to sharpen their skills in the off season,” Roberts says.
Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott is hoping to draw in substantial amounts of people to the area through tournaments that the complex will host.
Roberts commends Mayor McDermott for making this new complex a reality.
“If it wasn’t for Mayor McDermott’s vision, love for sports and creating opportunities for the youth of Hammond, we wouldn’t have this wonderful facility opening soon,” Roberts says.
The complex is also working to build partnerships with local colleges in hopes that all of the community is able to utilize the Hammond Sportsplex to its fullest potential.
