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Address: 1841 N Laramie Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, United States
Phone: (773) 232-6400
Website: Intentional Sports Website
Instagram: @intentionalsports
Hours Of Operation:
6 am to midnight, 7 days a week
In October 2021, Plei expanded into our 7th market, Chicago, Illinois. 💜
We are proud to announce that we have officially partnered with another local facility known as Intentional Sports. As part of our new blog series, we will be highlighting all of our partner facilities in every region where Plei has touched down. 🛬
Keep reading to learn more about this recent addition to our Chicago Soccer Network! 👇
That’s the case when it comes to Intentional Sports, a 150,000 square foot indoor and outdoor center, located in the North Austin neighborhood of Chicago, in between communities like Belmont Cragin, Humboldt Park, and Hermosa.
A non-profit organization, Intentional Sports’ mission is in their name. Their goal is to provide equal opportunities to the local community that holds roughly 300,000 residents within a 1-2 mile radius of the center. This includes inspiring the youth through sports, wellness, arts and education in an area where many of these resources are just not as accessible or attainable.
Hence the name “Intentional Sports”. Not just playing sports for the sake of playing sports, but to execute a deeper meaning and plan of real change in society. That’s why everything this facility does is rooted in excellence, respect and service.
The project, thanks in part to a partnership with By The Hand Club for Kids and Grace Revival Center, has the end goal of closing the opportunity gap for the youth in Chicago’s less fortunate west side. How are they doing it exactly? Keep reading to find out.
An official grand opening just a couple months ago in February meant that the wait to make a difference in Chicago was finally over. Across this huge sports “campus”, as it’s being called, you’ll find something for everyone.
The big hit of this venue is easily the 100 by 70 yard indoor turf field, officially the only FIFA regulation full-length pitch within Chicago city limits. 11v11 games can be played, but it can also be split in two (2) halves, or in quadrants, supplying a total of seven (7) different field options to accommodate smaller pickup games.
This turf fieldhouse, officially named the Chicago Fire FC Field, can accommodate various different sports as well, namely American football, lacrosse, baseball and softball. Speaking of baseball, calling this fieldhouse home is the Jason Heyward Baseball Academy. Aspiring young baseball and softball players will be able to practice their craft in world-class net spaces in the same way as Heyward himself – who currently plays in the MLB for the LA Dodgers - would.
Two full-size basketball courts feature NBA-grade wood, which double as volleyball courts as well. Nearby is a full-fledged gym space that is equipped with Beaverfit fitness equipment, so you can get in a nice workout using the top-of-the-line machines. 🏋️
If physical sports are not your thing, why not try your hand in the virtual realm? A fully furnished esports room is located within Intentional Sports, known as the Riot Sports Esports Lab. Here you can compete and play your favorite video games on state-of-the-art PC equipment and even learn coding and programming while you’re at it. 🎮
Let’s head outside for a moment.
Parking can always be a problem in big cities like Chicago, but here it isn’t. Two separate dedicated lots for visitors are available on-site and boast hundreds of designated spaces, so you won’t ever have trouble parking your car. 🚘
Two (2) mini fields outside will be launched closer to summertime and can be used for very small games of 1v1 or 2v2 for adults or youth training exercises. And finally, a larger field adjacent to the mini ones will be able to accommodate 6v6 and 7v7 games, but construction of this field has not begun yet. 🚧
Back inside, you’ll find plenty more amazing amenities. Upon entering the facility through the main entrance, one of the first things you’ll spot on your right is a fueling station, sponsored by Gatorade. Here you can grab water, juice, Gatorade (obviously 😅); anything you need to recharge your batteries, either when you arrive or on your way out.
Directly across from here is the entrance to a full auditorium/multi-purpose room/theater that can be used for all sorts of big events and gatherings.
Continue down the lobby and at the end of the corridor you’ll find a weird-looking turf grass area with a bunch of white squares on it. This is known as the SpeedCourt, thanks to a partnership with German company GlobalSpeed. ⚡
Here athletes of all different sports can train their reaction time, quickness and agility, which all contribute to cognitive development. You’ll play various different mini-game type scenarios while following the commands found on a screen. If played with a partner, it also works as a great way to build communication and teamwork skills. 🤝
Scattered throughout the rest of the facility are various classrooms, a second floor study hall equipped with tables and chairs which doubles as a spectator’s lounge. The hallways throughout this second floor also feature various couch chairs, so it’s really up to you to decide where you want to hang out.
Partnerships, community service, financial support from like-minded individuals who want to bring positive change upon a city; these were the building blocks that helped to bring Intentional Sports to life. This type of support has made it so a lot of the services provided by the facility can be completely free of charge for locals in the surrounding area. In fact, the center will be offering around 20 hours per week of local programming for kids and families to take advantage of!
A child on the west side of Chicago is 6 times more likely to quit sports because of how expensive it can get at times. It’s a huge problem, but Intentional Sports has arrived to solve issues just like this one, and close the opportunity gap once and for all. With leagues, camps, clinics, tournaments, afterschool programs and the ability to rent out basically any of their fields, courts and spaces, the opportunities for North Austin locals, kids and adults alike at Intentional Sports are truly endless. 👨👩👧👦
Check out their website to learn more about all their offerings, and follow Intentional Sports on their Instagram and Facebook pages to keep up with all announcements, like when they will officially open up their outdoor fields to the public!
We’ve landed in Chicago! Be sure to catch a pickup game at the first facility we are partnering with in the region, Intentional Sports. Download Plei from the App Store or Google Play today! ⚽💜
