Sports
Maple Grove Youth Sports Groups Get New Place to Play
A new domed sports complex is coming to Maple Grove and is scheduled to open in early November 2011.
A new sports complex is coming to Maple Grove to service year-round activities for local sport organizations as well as students in the Osseo School District.
The facility will accommodate games and training sessions, serving as an outdoor playing field in the summer and as an indoor "domed" facility in the winter.
The Maple Grove Sports Dome complex is designed to serve sports such as football, soccer, lacrosse, softball, baseball and other activities.
It will be located behind Maple Grove Senior High and, according to the city of Maple Grove Superintendent of Recreation Mark Saari, it will be ready for use at the end of high school fall sports season, in early November.
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"Conceivably, soccer teams could practice four at one time," Saari said. "There will also be a walking track in place."
Once in use, Saari said, the facility will be rented by the hour.
Two groups have already committed to using the complex - the MapleBrook Soccer Association and the Maple Grove/Osseo Athletic Association. These groups have each committed to funding 10 percent of the building's construction.
"Each group has committed to rent a minimum number of hours," Saari said. "Each group has committed to renting 500 hours and beyond in dome season."
Saari said the dome will be in place six months out of the year.
John Travis, president of the MapleBrook Soccer Association, said they have made arrangements with the city to use the dome in the wintertime.
"It's exciting to have that type of facility close to us, close and local," Travis said.
While soccer season typically runs from Sept. 1 to Oct. 15, Travis said the sports dome will serve as training and skills development for the organization in the winter months. He said the organization plans to work with the city to help promote the complex to other leagues. He said there are 50 teams within MapleBrook Soccer and all teams will use the facility at various times.
Saari said city staff will be on duty to monitor the facility at times when it's being used.
