Trustees OK new athletic complex

There will be a new place in the Barrington area for residents to work on their jump shots and penalty kicks.

Lake Barrington village trustees recently gave approval for the 26-acre Northpointe Development, which will feature a 175,000-square-foot state-of-the-art indoor sports complex on the east side of Pepper Road in the Lake Barrington Business Park.

"This will be a world-class facility," Lake Barrington Village President Kevin Richardson said.

Tom Laue, president of Field House Development, the company behind the project, said the community has a clear need for this type of facility.

"We are trying to create a Division I training atmosphere for youth sports," Laue said.

The Lake Barrington Field House will feature a single 95,000-square-foot artificial turf playing surface that will accommodate a full-size soccer field, two baseball/softball diamonds and a full-size field for either football or lacrosse.

There also will be 40,000 square feet of hardwood court surface for either four basketball courts or eight volleyball courts.

Lake Barrington Village Administrator Chris Martin said work on the field house will start in the next couple of weeks.

"I know they are chomping at the bit to get started before the first snow comes," Martin said.

A spring 2008 opening is targeted, Laue said.

Response to the new development has been very positive from area youth sports leagues, Laue added.

"The facility is already over 75 percent leased out, and that's before we even break ground," Laue said.

Besides the playing surfaces, the field house also will include space for strength training and athlete conditioning, spectator seating, in-house athletic trainer services, sports injury rehabilitation services, an indoor running/walking track, 10 meeting and party rooms and concession areas.

Besides the field house, Martin said the development will have a 72,000-square-foot building, home to Professional Baseball Instruction of Illinois.

Two other lots in the development will remain vacant for the time being, Martin said.

"They could be for other sports uses, offices or warehouse space," Martin said.

In order to accommodate the increased traffic, Richardson said a stoplight and turning lanes will be added at Pepper Road and Route 14.

"It will benefit everyone that comes into the business park every day," Richardson said of the additional light.

For more details, visit www.barringtonfieldhouse.com.