The Sparta Sports Dome in Crown Point offers many great opportunities for training, leagues, tournaments, special events, indoor camps and youth programs year-round regardless of any weather conditions. With over 120,000 square feet under one roof we offer a state-of-the-art, climate controlled environment with the best playing surface in the Midwest.
The Sparta Sports Dome in Crown Point went up in December of 2014 and opened in late January of 2015. Since that time, it has become the destination for athletes, sports teams and tournaments that are looking for a place to practice and compete year-round.
For owners Jacqueline Chang-Stroman and Tae-Ni Chang, opening the Sparta Sports Dome didn’t come without its hurdles. After some ups and downs, the couple was able to work with the City of Crown Point, the Regional Development Company and People’s Bank to get the project off the ground and moving forward.
“For a while it was a little crazy because we had some water issues once we got up and we couldn’t get the turf down right away,” said Chang-Stroman. “Once we got the turf down, the city granted us temporary occupancy so we could at least get the kids on the field. It was winter, and everybody wanted to be in here.”
“That was a lot of fun, because several colleges came to play their softball games here before the end of spring because the weather was really bad that year. It was really, really neat to see buses driving up. That was great!”
The versatility of the Sparta Sports Dome cannot be understated. Whether it’s baseball, softball, soccer, rugby, private parties or a myriad of other activities, the Sparta Dome can accommodate most any event that includes teams, organizations or employers.
“We’ve had a lot of different things in here,” Chang-Stroman said. “Even things like customer appreciation events and corporate team building events, and those are really exciting. Subway even did a corporate team building exercise in here, and Leeps did a customer appreciation event that was really neat.”
“In early December, we actually have SoccerViza coming, and there will be different professional teams coming to recruit and watch players for their professional teams.”
Having the Sparta Dome right here in Northwest Indiana allows organizations like SoccerViza, who works with players, agents, and professional clubs to guide them in the direction of positive development, to come to the Region and scout potential professional talent.
In the beginning stages of planning for the Sparta Sports Dome, Chang-Stroman visited a range of banks before hooking up with the Regional Development Company who runs the Small Business Administration 504 Loan Program, among other programs.
“We went to a lot of different banks,” Chang-Stroman said. “I looked at the SBA programs because I heard about it through other banks but it was People’s Bank that made it happen with the RDC and the SBA.”
“It was a really good experience,” said Chang-Stroman. “The RDC was honestly really great, and it’s been nice working with them.”
Erica Dombey, Executive Director at the RDC, echoed Chang-Stroman’s sentiments in saying, “Clearly the Sparta Dome is a great example of public/private partnership working to improve the community, and everyone has truly put their heart and soul into the project.”