West Dundee building targeted for more than a sports complex

Corey Kelly envisions Lifezone 360 in West Dundee as much more than a sports complex.

Yes, it has space for practices, events and tournaments. Plus, there's the potential to draw thousands of people for such regional events as gymnastics, karate, soccer and lacrosse, said Kelly, part owner and construction manager.

But unlike other sports complexes, he said, Lifezone 360 will also serve as a daily gym, a training space, a restaurant and a gathering place for families and community members.

"We have the opportunity to create not only a sports atmosphere, but a health atmosphere," Kelly said. "We're looking at each area to be a stand-alone. That's the difference."

Plans for the new enterprise, housed in the former Target building at 999 W. Main St., are coming together, General Manager Barb Potter said. Two large turf fields are ready to be installed and will begin operating next month, she said, noting that various soccer and lacrosse teams reserved space months ago.

The rest of the facility is expected to be fully functioning by spring.

Toward the front of the building, a GMO-free restaurant serving food and alcohol will be open from mid-afternoon until closing. Kelly said it will offer healthy alternatives to normal pub food that "kids won't shy away from" - for example, sweet potato fries instead of regular french fries.

He added that alcohol consumption will be prohibited outside restaurant and event spaces.

A complementary plant-based juice bar, which will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., will offer vegan food, smoothie and juice options free of common allergens, Kelly said.

Additionally, rental spaces of various sizes and shapes near the front of the building will be used for parties, meetings and other functions, such as after-school programs.

Other features include a physical therapy center, recreational and multipurpose rooms, a yoga studio and a full gym and weight room. Another smaller turf field will also be used for personal training or group clinics. Both memberships and daily passes will be available, Potter said.

Three smaller turf fields will be installed in the back of the facility, which was rented out last month as a temporary haunted house. In the future, basketball and volleyball courts might be added, Potter said.

"There are a lot of things going on under one roof in this building," she said. "We're trying to make it a real fun, attractive place where there's something for everybody in the family to do."

In addition to creating a healthy environment, operators are trying to be sustainable, Potter said. Some of the building materials come from the ongoing demolition of part of Spring Hill Mall, which is undergoing a $37.8 million renovation.

Lifezone 360 also could expand into another massive building - the former Best Buy building next door, Potter said. Those details, though, won't be finalized until early next year.

"We're creating a community inside one giant building," Potter said. "That's the whole idea."