LakePoint was envisioned as simply a better place where kids could come play and families in sports travel would be comfortable. From the beginning the partners realized fields and venues needed to be the best. Additionally, for LakePoint to be the premier tournament vacation choice, considerable conveniences would need to be a part of the destination.
The new LakePoint Sporting Community is off I-75, just north of Atlanta. In spite of a premier location, it’s almost impossible to talk about the 1,400-acre project without admiring the initial challenges. Moving 12 million cubic yards of Georgia red clay dirt and rerouting a state highway were not going to get in the way of LakePoint.
Baseball
In partnership with Perfect Game, respected throughout baseball as producing the highest-level player showcases, the first four major league baseball fields were opened for play in spring 2014. More than 7,000 players, coaches and scouts were hosted during 56 straight days of competitive baseball.
When completed, the LakePoint Perfect Game facilities will feature 16 fields, two quads of four fields on both the South and North campuses. Each venue is entirely surfaced with high-tech Shaw Sports Turf synthetic turf allowing them to be played immediately after rain. The LED field lighting from Musco allows competitors to clearly track the balls flight, avoiding possible injury from loss of vision. Batting cages and enclosed bullpens adjoin each field.
At the center of each quad is a scouting tower featuring live video feeds from every LakePoint field. The North Campus will include a showcase stadium field with seating up to 7,500.
Neither the 13u baseball stars of tomorrow nor girls’ fast pitch softball have been forgotten. The North Campus will be home to 12 fields, including two that will be designated for championship games. Six of the fields will feature traditional dirt infields for softball, while all fields are covered with synthetic turf. All the amenities of the major league fields will be featured in the smaller fields, including LED lighting and digital scoreboards.
Soccer/Lacrosse
The Braveheart Soccer/Lacrosse Complex comprises 14 multi-purpose fields, of which 13 feature the synthetic turf technology from Shaw Sports Turf. A brand new HydroChill turf maintains temperatures 50 degrees cooler than other synthetic turfs. The 6,500-seat stadium field is natural grass in line with international play. All fields include LED lighting and digital scoreboards.
The North Atlantic Soccer Association (NASA) and its 4,000 members had a successful 2014 season utilizing the complex for league games, practices, camps and tournaments. LakePoint is also home to the Georgia United Soccer Alliance, one of only 80 clubs in the United States that are part of the US Soccer Development Academy Program. The NASA tournament in summer of 2014 attracted more than 400 teams.
Partnering with LB3 Lacrosse, LakePoint will be the site of as many as 40 lacrosse events annually. LakePoint will also be the site of the Casey Powell Academy and the John Galloway Goalie School. The synthetic turf fields at the Braveheart Complex are easily converted from lacrosse back to soccer. The Major League Lacrosse (MLL) 7×7 Festival Championship was a huge success on LakePoint’s turf field.
Volleyball
Rally Volleyball, co-founded by seven-time World Champion Sinjin Smith, is devoted to advancing volleyball through increased competitions and development. Their partnership with LakePoint was realized with the opening of 10 sand courts with onsite showers and bathrooms. LED lighting allows play into the evening. Spectators can enjoy action on all the courts under the shade of a two-level cabana. After a full summer of competitive events LakePoint will be hosting the Collegiate Sand Clash & Bash on November 14-15, 2014. A Sinjin Smith Clinic will precede play on Saturday morning.
If you’re planning a grass volleyball tournament, the 81 synthetic turf courts at LakePoint are for you. The fields drain rain at 18 inches per hour, so there’s no setback of quality play, or injuries due to wet courts. The LED lighting provides excellent nighttime vision and the new HydroChill turf technology keeps the competitors feet comfortable. The Dragon Slayer Tournament by Angry Dragon will return to LakePoint in 2015.
Still wanting more volleyball competition, LakePoint’s Indoor Pavilion will feature 24 volleyball courts. Fully digital scoreboards and a unique netting support system provide a positive experience for competitors and spectators. The venue is easily converted into a championship court with seating for 5,000. The multi-use Pavilion has been designed specifically as an indoor sports venue.
Cable Wakeboarding
Terminus Wake Park
Located on the South Campus of LakePoint Sporting Community is Terminus Wake Park. Wakeboarding is growing in popularity nationwide and especially with competitors and families visiting LakePoint. Experience is not necessary for first-timers to enjoy wakeboard and with certified instructors it’s safe and fun. The good news is a boat isn’t needed and with three cables on each lake, there’s more time on the water at less expense. Like all recreational activities, there are all skill levels from the beginner to the advanced. Terminus Wake Park has already hosted the 2014 Monster Energy Wake Park Triple Crown, planned and sanctioned by the World Wakeboard Association.
More to come
It’s a marvel that so much has been accomplished in just two years. However, we’ve just seen the tip of the iceberg at LakePoint Sporting Community. Construction is well underway on both the South and North campuses and will eventually provide venues for 40 sports. An additional 12 Perfect Game major league fields are planned with opening of four in time for 2015 play. Construction of LakePoint baseball and softball fields is underway.
The 300,000-square-foot, two-gymnasium LakePoint Indoor Sports Pavilion will host basketball tournaments on its 12 courts, as well as volleyball, wrestling, performance competitions and gymnastics. The Pavilion will also be home to the POWERADE® Advanced Hydration Lab, presented by the Coca-Cola Company.
Opening in late 2015 in partnership with LakePoint will be the Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy. The North campus facility will have indoor training bays with the latest swing technology analysis, custom club fitting, a Cybex equipped gym, practice tees, bunkers and greens. On-site classrooms and online programs round out the educational program. A nine-hole, par three, lighted course, clubhouse, and restaurant/bar, along with the Academy facilities, provide a true golf experience.
There are just 103 IAAF Class 1 certified track and field venues worldwide. The LakePoint Complex will be the fifth in the United States. State-of-the-art timing equipment, a nine-lane competition track and three-lane warm-up track and LED lighting will enhance the experience for competitors from youth to elite. Permanent seating for 2,500 spectators can be expanded to 10,000 people for major events and digital scoreboards are perfect for the fans’ enjoyment.
With accommodations coming in 2015 and LakePoint’s Entertainment Village, along with restaurants, shopping, a bowling center and arcade, Carmike Cinemas and rope course with a zip line, this premier sports vacation destination for competitors and families is rapidly taking shape.
To learn more about LakePoint Sports Community, visit online at lakepointsports.com. For tournaments and events information, email michael.grade@lakepointsports.com.
By Dave Bodle
