Construction continues at the new 434 Sportsplex located at 1915 Vestal Parkway West in Vestal, N.Y., with an anticipated opening set for the end of March. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
The construction of a large sports complex in Vestal, N.Y. is nearing completion. According to owner Chris Riley, the opening date for the 434 Sportsplex, located at 1915 Vestal Parkway West, and soon-to-be neighbor of Chuckster’s Family Fun Park, is anticipated by the end of March.
The Vestal Planning Board approved the 434 Sportsplex project last summer. It was initially communicated that the facility would open by November or December last year.
Riley foresees the 434 Sportsplex draw visitors to the southern tier from all over New York State, and from northeast Pennsylvania.
Despite a delay, Riley’s enthusiasm remains, and commented, “I’ve always wanted to build an indoor facility.”
Construction continues at the new 434 Sportsplex located at 1915 Vestal Parkway West in Vestal, N.Y. The facility, an indoor multisport sports complex, is anticipated to draw from all over New York State as well as northeast Pennsylvania. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Riley, a native of the southern tier, is the founder of the Riley Development Academy, a youth soccer academy he formed in 2010. He still plans to offer those classes and will also continue his role as Head Coach for the SUNY-Broome Community College Men’s soccer team, a position he took on in 2015.
A graduate of Union Endicott High School, Herkimer College and Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, Riley played both high school and college soccer.
Riley’s resume includes time on the professional circuit, too, with pro teams like the Charleston Battery and the Wilmington Hammerheads, along with the Western Mass Pioneers and Pittsburgh Riverhounds. In addition, Riley’s career encompasses several coaching and management positions in the greater Binghamton area and beyond.
At the 434 Sportsplex, Riley stated that there would be a staff of three full-time employees and about eight to ten part-time employees. Jon Thomson has been named as the General Manager of the facility.
As of Feb. 13, work crews were in the final phase of wall construction at the new 434 Sportsplex located at 1915 Vestal Parkway West in Vestal, N.Y., and located next to Chuckster’s Family Fun Park. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Thomson, who has worked for the Riley Development Academy since its inaugural season, also has multiple years of coaching experience and played soccer at Susquehanna Valley and St. John Fisher College.
The 434 Sportsplex, a 53,280 square foot metal building, will house multi-use athletic fields for both adult and youth players to participate in a variety of team and individual sports. Featured at the Sportsplex will be soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, baseball and softball, along with batting cages and a fitness center.
Going forward, Riley explained that there would also be a full outdoor soccer field, with plans to install outside basketball hoops. Accommodations for parking are set at 198 spaces.
Riley described a virtual tour of the new facility; first, when you walk in the main entrance, there will be a lounge and seating area featuring a café’, along with rest rooms and offices. One floor above, a 3,500 square foot weight room and an area showcasing three batting cages will be available for use.
As for the majority of the space, Riley described an 82 x 58 yard turf playing surface, which in turn can be set up to accommodate four small fields, two medium fields, or one large field. Look up, Riley said, and you’ll see forty-foot ceilings, and then all around the playing areas will be column-free space, which eliminates any obstructions.
The facility will cater from small to large events, along with special activities such as health and fitness days, sports camps, yoga and Pilates, and private lessons and personal training, just to name a few. Availability to rent the facility will be by the hour, day or individual event.
“There is a lot of potential,” Riley said.
One appealing aspect of the entire project is the fact that the building will be heated. A thirty-foot energy efficient “monster heater” was placed and double-layer building insulation will be installed.
Riley commented, “It should never get below 60 degrees in the building.”
Riley is excited about the facility’s completion and shared, “I cannot wait to open the doors to our community.”
For more information, visit the 434 Sportsplex page on Facebook, or visit www.434sportsplex.com.
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