Sports complex is mostly training, but entirely fun
While summer sports seasons are months away, a new Lake Zurich training facility provides an outlet to improve your game.
Golf, baseball and softball are the focus of a new 36,000-square-foot enterprise, the Lakeside Family Sports Complex. The business offers a wide range of services at 143 E. Main St., just off Route 22.
The sports complex features batting cages for baseball and softball, batting tunnels, dirt pitching mounds and infield rentals.
In the golf zone, there's a short game area with chipping, sand trap and putting ranges, as well as two golf simulators and an 18-hole miniature golf course.
Gino Fontana of Lake Zurich and Bill Murray of St. Charles own and operate the new facility. They have a roster of 12 employees who specialize in all aspects of the three sports. PGA professional Craig Bertrand of Lake Zurich is on staff with Jimmy Karr, who serves as manager and lead clinician in the baseball area.
The goal of the facility is to provide a healthy and responsible outlet for youths, families and organized sports affiliates. The business offers educational and developmental programs including workshops, clinics, leagues and private lessons.
"We have nothing like this in the area. We're trying to fill a void in the community," said Fontana, 42.
The owners, who both have children active in sports, realize there is an interest in this type of facility.
Fontana and his wife, Kristin, are raising three sons in Lake Zurich: Anthony, 11; Nicholas, 9; and Jonathon, 6.
Murray and his wife, Diane, have five daughters: Emily, 15; Jillian, 14; Maura, 12; Jacquelyn, 5; and Shealyn, 1. Diane works as a hospital administrator.
The owners got to know each other years ago while working at a leasing company in Des Plaines. Fontana was a purchasing director while Murray, 41, continues to work as a quality director.
The new sports complex, which housed a printing press company in the past, also features a small pro shop, a conference room for team meetings and an area for students to do their homework while waiting for a class. Some strength and conditioning classes are offered as well as an in-house chiropractor.
The complex will soon accommodate Jazzercize classes as well.
Parents can purchase an annual family or individual membership starting at $375 for baseball. This allows for discounted lessons and unlimited use of batting tunnels and pitching mounds.
"It's a sports complex for the entire family. Some aspects of it are fun and it's also a serious training facility," Murray said.
The complex is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (847) 550-9750 or check out www.lakesidefamilysports.com.
• Kim Mikus' column appears Tuesdays and Fridays. She welcomes comments at (847) 680-5502 or at kmikus@dailyherald.com.