DULUTH — A new indoor sports complex will soon open in the Oneota area, allowing athletes to train, play and compete year-round on its courts, cages and grassy spaces.
The Elite Sports Complex will feature five pickleball courts, six batting cages, a pitching mound, one basketball court, and two grass lanes for lacrosse, soccer, and American football. The facility also has a kiosk and a retail center on the upper floors.
In December, co-owners Herb Gibson and Aaron Larson signed a lease for the building at 4510 W. First Street. The building most recently served as a warehouse for Essentia Health before moving to the Esco Industrial Park last year. It also houses the Vital Living Lighthouse Center, now located downtown.
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This new partnership combines Mr. Gibson’s love of baseball and Mr. Larson’s passion for lacrosse, hosting a dedicated competitive sports association throughout the region and providing the community with a place to practice track and field, especially in the winter. It was something to offer.
Mr. Larson will oversee the building as manager, and Mr. Gibson will lead sales and logistics.
Gibson is the general manager of the Duluth Huskies. Gibson’s P5 business recently relocated from Minneapolis to the Northland region to sell uniforms.
Larson is a military veteran and owner of Dr. Juice USA, a Duluth-based hunting and fishing equipment manufacturer. Dr. Juice was founded in 1980 by Drusian’s Greg Vanbenek with a focus on research and development of wildlife scents. The company’s products are sold at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s.
“His son and I, who were deployed to Iraq together, took over the company,” Larson said. “About 15 years later, I am now the sole owner. Greg is still on the board. We are now more of a management company. We run our own brand and trademark, Dr. Juice. But we also operate the sports card shop and our facilities, and we employ veterans to do that.
As a former president of the Arrowhead Titans Lacrosse Club in Hermantown, Larson was also the founder of the Northern Vortex team.
“That’s what motivated me to do this job,” Larson said. “I couldn’t find indoor lawn time anywhere. Last year it took a total of three hours.”
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Elite owners say the complex fills a void for athletes and sports enthusiasts throughout the region.
“As soon as we started, it snowballed with people wanting to get involved, and we started to see the community come together to get this project up and running,” Larson said.
The new indoor sports facility is a $1 million private investment. The first phase will include a 40,000 square foot sports area and 10,000 square feet of retail space.
Integrity Builders was hired as the contractor for the project. So far, the pickleball courts have been completed, the restaurant addition is underway, and the nets will be in place soon before the final stages of laying the turf are completed.
Elite Pro Shop sells branded sporting goods and apparel. Elite Sports also has a contract with Big Frog in Duluth for fan gear for area high schools, associations and clubs.
Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group
Elite Sports and Collectibles carries sports and fantasy trading cards, as well as autographed sports memorabilia.
Beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, hot dogs, nachos and other perks are available at The Kitchen, a restaurant named after the pickleball term for center court. Located on an upper floor balcony overlooking the property.
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“This is kind of our viewing area where you can come and hang out and watch the kids play sports,” Larson said.
A soft opening is scheduled for Feb. 1, pending approval of a certificate of occupancy from the city. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with pickleball courts opening at 6 a.m.
In addition to open court hours, individual and association memberships are also available. Our expert coaches provide lessons to athletes of all levels.
Gary Meader / Duluth Media Group
