 For
decades parents in this area have complained, "there isn't anywhere nice
for the kids to play." So seven local visionaries, Tom Attick, Joe
Bowling, Joe and Nila Straka, Tom Mohler, Bernard Winkler and Chip
Jowett have pulled their resources to bring Southern Maryland a seven
million-dollar indoor sport environment that should make kids and adults
happy.
"How bout we start you off on the 30-foot wide by 30-foot high rock wall
designed with a challenging overhang," says part owner Nila Troibio
Straka. "We'll harness you up to the automatic belay system and dual
safety harness and let you find a path up. There is a course for the
beginner, intermediate, or advanced rock climber."
The Clubhouse's biggest features are the ice rink and dry rink that
mirror each other. Party and locker rooms separate the rinks on the
lower level with bleacher seating above. The NHL sized, 200 by 85 foot
ice rink is fitted with dasher boards from the Capital Center, complete
with a Zambonee by Olympia, netting to the ceiling, a four-sided
scoreboard, official's rooms and a heated seating area.
The dry rink can be used for volleyball, flag football, soccer, futsal
(a form of soccer with a smaller, harder ball), lacrosse, baseball,
softball, wrestling, inline hockey, and field hockey. Individuals from
three years old to adult leagues can sign up for clinics or court time.
Leagues run eight to ten weeks and results are posted on the web site.
Open skate is also available as well as drop-in soccer, roller hockey,
and volleyball.
Another feather in the Clubhouse cap will be managers, Ty and Melissa
Newberry. Ty is a former National Hockey Coach and has lent a hand to
Olympic team training in Utah. Melissa is experienced in figure skating.
"We're very happy to offer day camp," says Nila. "Kids can be dropped
off from six a.m. and picked up at six p.m. We will have activities
before and after the clinics to round out their day. We also offer
holiday camps and clinics."
A recreational rink for the younger kids is upstairs and can be used for
futsal, off-ice training, team training, cheer leading practice and
other clinics.
Party rooms can be reserved to accommodate any group. You can reserve
clinics back to back and make arrangements for the Clubhouse to bring
food to your room. You could start with an ice skating clinic, break for
a bite to eat then get changed for rock climbing. Or your group could
have a friendly game of basketball then switch to soccer.
The concession stand will offer an array of snack food such as subs,
salads, soups, hot dogs and pizza. Picnic tables provide a perfect place
to view the action on the rinks. Also sharing space in this huge
facility is a 3500-square-foot World Gym Express that overlooks the dry
rink and will be open 24 hours a day. Mike's Sporting Equipment can
outfit you for ice hockey, roller hockey and has team sales for all
other sports. Skater's Paradise is in the figure skating business. They
fix boots, mount blades, sharpen skates, and make custom made boots.
Spectators are welcome to any of the Capital Clubhouse events.
"We've seen the growth and know the need for a safe, clean, well run
professional environment," says Bernard. "and we're here to meet the
demand for more active play."
Capital Clubhouse, Waldorf, Maryland, 301-932-4348, Info@capitalclubhouse.com,
www.capitalclubhouse.com |
