Appleton, Fox Valley Provides Event Space For “Champions”
Space. Lots of space. A space for athletes. A space for parents. A space for referees. The Community First Fox Cities Champion Center is providing a space for an experience.
Eight volleyball courts with nets coming down from the ceiling with electronic scoreboards.Matt Ten Haken, Director of Sports Marketing for the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau talked about how this new venue and the design will make it one of the premier event spaces in the Midwest.
“We spent a great deal of time during the design phase of this project making sure that the Champion Center is one of the best sports tourism venues in the Midwest. There are a number of features that make the building special, but it is best to see it in person once we open in November,” said Ten Haken.
In the Fieldhouse, there will be eight courts with ceiling-hung Porter Athletic net systems. Seating in the Fieldhouse will be in the mezzanine level, players will be 14 feet below the fans. We also have the Seasonal Arena that will be an ice rink in the fall and winter and in the spring and summer there will be portable hardwood flooring in that space for six additional volleyball courts. Outside of the competition areas, we will have concessions, a cafe, a parent's lounge, on-site medical services, a pro shop, locker rooms, 600 parking stalls, and ample gathering space in the common areas.
Speaking of space, there will be 20 x 40 feet areas off the sides of the Fieldhouse floor for players to gather before they play and reduce the amount of traffic along the end lines and sidelines of the courts. Officials will have a dedicated room in the Fieldhouse to gather in between matches and store their gear. Fans will have a variety of vantage points from which to watch the action, including standing room areas, bench seating, and stadium chair seats.
After a touring the facility this week it is evident this will be a major gamechanger for events of all kinds throughout the region. With the opening set for November, Prep Dig will be the first major volleyball event the Champion Center will be hosting, kicking off January 4 and 5, 2020 with the Prep Dig Resolution Tournament for Girls ages 13-18 and will be adding a Boys Division for 14s, 16s, and 18s.
Walking through the large double doors there is a wide-open lobby where you turn left and see the main fieldhouse at the mezzanine level overlooking the eight courts. As you continue through the lobby there is a parent lounge that will sell beer and wine with a wall of windows looking out that also includes four big-screen TVs with one being a camera out onto the courts.
The concessions area will have a variety of food which will include healthy snacks and breakfast options for early morning tournaments. The eating area will feature low and high top tables where each side has windows looking out into the ice hockey rinks (with one changing to hardcourts come April). Prep Dig will be using 8 courts for the Prep Dig Resolution and will expand to 13 to 14 courts for the Prep Dig Battle of the Valley held on May 9-10.
But Why Appleton?
“Convenience and affordability top my reasons to bring a team to an event at the Community First Champion Center. The facility is less than two miles from Interstate 41. Within 10 minutes of the venue, teams will find over 70 dining options, 2,000 hotel rooms, Fox River Mall, Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium, and dozens of stores and attractions,” said Ten Haken
The area caters to families having plenty of options for dining, lodging, and entertainment within their budget.
Appleton To Milwaukee - 1 hr. 40 minutes drive
Appleton To Madison - 2 hour drive
Appleton To Chicago - 3.5 hour drive
Appleton To Minneapolis - Just over a 4 hour drive
Resurfaced floor with 4 full courts or 6 practice courts.FC Elite Takes Over The Barn
A renovation in space and to the club, FC Elite looks ahead to a big year with teams and their facility. FC Elite took over the LakePark Sportszone, the former home to Wisconsin Volleyball Academy, which will also be host to Fox Valley Performance Volleyball Club. With the renovation to the lobby, gym, and locker room, the new name of “The Barn” will be another spot for teams to practice and compete. Prep Dig will be using the facility in addition to the FC Champion Center for the Prep Dig Resolution Tournament.
Renovations Include:
Self Serve Smart MarketRefinished floors which will house six volleyball courts or the option of four full courts for volleyball and basketball.
Water hog carpet to reduce the traction of ice and salt being carried into the gym.
A self serve Smart Market for healthy food and drinks during events and practices.
60” TV in the revamped and spacious lobby which is connected to cameras located in the gym to view practices and events.
FC Elite will also be expanding the number of teams under the direction of new club director, Brett Damrow. This upcoming season will feature 13 teams from 11s to 18s, up from seven teams in 2018.
