We have made it to our final facility of Zero Gravity Basketball's Top Ten Facility List, and no better way to finish off our tour than with the largest indoor sports complex in North America, Spooky Nook Sports! Located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, this mega facility has over 14 acres of space under one roof, as well as 50 acres of outdoor space! The Nook truly has to be seen to believe.
The vision of owner and founder Sam Beiler, the former owner of Auntie Anne's Pretzels, originated after traveling across the country to his daughter's volleyball tournaments and events for years. Sam had the idea of opening a 10 court basketball/volleyball facility that offered more than any of the facilities he visited - quality customer service, more healthy food options, great playing conditions, and more activities for the family.
Sam was on a mission to find an existing building suitable for running sports and activities in their community. After falling in love with the space of an old Armstrong World Industries distribution center in Manheim, PA, plans changed, and his project became a lot bigger than anticipated. His vision became a reality when Spooky Nook Sports Complex opened its doors in 2013 as the largest indoor sports complex in North America!
As the largest and most innovative indoor sports complex in the country, Spooky Nook Sports has become the ultimate destination for families, athletes, businesses and events of all sizes. With more than 700,000 square feet under one roof and over 50 acres of outdoor facilities, the Nook Sports facility has the unique capacity to simultaneously host clubs, leagues, tournaments and large events throughout every season. They pride themselves on the fact that if a family has to come for the weekend, they want to cater to every member of that family. Let me tell you, there is something for everyone at The Nook!
The indoor facilities include 10 hardwood basketball courts, four field hockey courts, 10 volleyball courts, and six soccer fields, as well as a 200-meter indoor track and a full-sized baseball infield. They offer over 20 sports, including basketball, baseball, volleyball, field hockey, lacrosse and softball. The Nook also encompasses a fitness center, a climbing center, numerous meeting and party spaces, a food court, a 60 game arcade, ninja warrior course, and much, much more.
It was important to Sam Beiler, who was born and raised in Lancaster County, to build a facility that would give back to the community that has given him so much. It's hard to quantify just how much of an impact Spooky Nook Sports Complex. Not only on the lives of the thousands of customers who walk through their doors daily, but also through the jobs and economic drive it has provided to Lancaster County. The complex currently employs over 700 people. In 2018 alone, The Nook had over an $80 million economic impact on Lancaster County, through restaurants, hotels, bars, jobs, shopping and more. The vision Beiler had almost 10 years ago has become a pretty special reality, and I advise all of you to take a visit to The Nook soon! I will tell you, it is worth the trip.
Right around the time Spooky Nook was being built, USA Field Hockey was looking for a new home. They were able accommodate everything USA Field Hockey needed - an outdoor pitch and climate-controlled dome, offices, meeting spaces, locker rooms, and more!
Spooky Nook Sports has accommodations available on-site at the Warehouse Hotel. Housed in a former Warehouse, this 135 room hotel offers a unique green, reclaimed decor. Guests who stay in the hotel receive access to the Nook Fitness Center and group exercise classes. If your team needs hotel rooms close to our Manheim, PA, location, they couldn’t ask for anything more convenient. The team can roll out of bed and onto the court or field. When you need some downtime during the tournament, your hotel room is just a short walk away!
Spooky Nook offers 700,000 square feet of event space for events of all sizes! From small to intimate, to large corporate seminars, their event space can be customized for your needs. Events include tournaments, corporate meetings & parties, birthdays, school outings, trade shows, weddings & more! Their in-house food service staff are capable of catering banquets of any kind. They will also make arrangements with their vendors to ensure you have any equipment needed for your event.