Volo Sportsplex rises to meet community demand

From tiny ballerinas rushing in from the cold for their dance lesson to a traveling girls volleyball team practicing on NCAA regulation-size courts, the Volo Sportsplex is a revolving door of athletic activity on any given night.

“We have families that are here every day of the week doing different activities,” said Deliah Glasby, general manager.

Open just a year, the Volo Sportsplex has been a welcome addition to an underserved area, and the brainchild of owner Brian Maze, whose day care business, A Child's Place, flourishes next door.

Maze, a former professional soccer coach with experience managing sports facilities, said the Volo Sportsplex has been growing day by day as more residents discover it and spread the word.

“I think it’s going well. We’re close to being profitable. We can’t complain for our first year.”

The facility offers programs for children, adults and seniors, ranging from team sports and fitness to dance and art. In the past year, they've partnered with Lions Martial Arts Academy of Grayslake, Firehouse Gym of Johnsburg for tumbling and Wauconda-based Crystal Nicole Designs for instruction in canvas and wood painting.

“I have instructors doing all kinds of programs and a lot of space rentals,” said Glasby, a former banquet hall manager who maintains the Volo Sportsplex’s hectic schedule while fielding frequent inquiries from traveling sports teams in search of practice space.

She also finds time to plan special events at the facility, such as the recent holiday craft fair featuring more than 25 vendors, a bake sale, concessions, raffles and an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

“I’m about doing things for the community,” she said.

While the after-school and evening hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. are pretty packed, Maze said they hope to attract more daytime clients, including stay-at-home moms and seniors.

The “Forever Young” senior program, which is just getting off the ground, offers bingo and game days, crafts, low-impact fitness, even Tai Chi and line dancing.

“We have a lot offered, but we need to get people to bite,” Maze said.

Residents can also rent gym and multi-purpose room space at the facility for birthday parties and other events. Next summer, they hope to have a small, ongoing farmers and vendor market. They’re also planning a preschool program.

The Volo Sportsplex, located at 26705 W. Commerce Drive (at the corner of Routes 120 and 60), is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Open gym is on Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information on programs and pricing, visit www.volosportsplex.com.