Duluth Welcomes Elite Sports Complex: A new indoor sports complex is set to open in the Oneota neighborhood of Duluth, featuring state-of-the-art indoor pickleball courts. The Elite Sports Complex will offer a wide range of athletic facilities and is expected to be a hub for year-round sports training and recreation.
New Facility for Year-Round Sports
The Elite Sports Complex, located at 4510 W. First St., will feature five indoor pickleball courts, along with six batting cages, pitching mounds, a basketball court, and two lanes of turf for lacrosse, soccer, and football. The complex will also have concessions and retail spaces on its upper level, ensuring a complete experience for visitors.
The complex is the result of a partnership between Herb Gibson, general manager of the Duluth Huskies, and Aaron Larson, a retired military veteran and owner of Dr. Juice USA. The facility is designed to meet the growing demand for sports spaces in the region, particularly for pickleball enthusiasts, who will benefit from the indoor courts during the winter months.
“Me and his son, who deployed to Iraq together, took over the company. It’s been about 15 years, and now I’m the sole owner. Greg is still on the board. Now it’s phased into more of a management company. It runs Dr. Juice, which is its own brand and trademark, but we manage other things, like a sports card store and this facility. With that, we hire veterans.” – (Larson)
Community Impact
Gibson and Larson recognized a gap in the community for indoor sports facilities, especially for pickleball.
“That’s kind of what fueled me to do this. We couldn’t find indoor turf time anywhere. We got a total of three hours last year.” – (Larson)
With the new complex, athletes will have access to high-quality pickleball courts and other athletic spaces year-round.
“Once we started, we immediately started seeing the snowball effect of people wanting to be involved, and the community coming together to get this thing up and running.” – (Larson)
Elite Sports Complex is set to serve athletes of all ages and skill levels. The $1 million personal investment in the complex aims to support regional sports associations and provide a top-notch environment for training and competition.
The Elite Experience
The Elite Sports Complex’s pickleball courts are ready for play, and the restaurant, called The Kitchen, is under construction. The Kitchen will offer a variety of concessions, including beer, wine, hot dogs, and nachos, providing a relaxed atmosphere for fans and players.
“This is kind of our viewing area where you can hang out and come watch your kids play sports.” – (Larson)
Additionally, the complex will host retail spaces with brand-name athletic gear, and fans can purchase fan gear for local high schools and sports clubs through a partnership with Big Frog of Duluth.
With the opening of this new pickleball facility, local athletes can look forward to a year-round space for sports and events. The complex’s versatile design will also support pickleball tournaments, team practices, and community events.
News in Brief: Duluth Welcomes Elite Sports Complex
Elite Sports Complex will open in Duluth’s Oneota neighborhood, offering five indoor pickleball courts, batting cages, a basketball court, and turf for lacrosse, soccer, and football. The facility will also feature concessions and retail. It’s set to become a hub for year-round sports activities and events.
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