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Game On!
Lost Nation Sports Park upgrades indoor turf carpet
By Deanna R. Adams • Today’s Family Writer
 In 1998, when Mike Srsen and his partner, Pat Parker, opened up the Lost Nation Sports Park in Willoughby, there was nothing else like it in Northeast Ohio. There still isn’t.
Twelve years later, and despite economic downturns, the popular multi-sport, family-oriented sports complex is getting a face lift, thus increasing its reputation as one of the largest and most innovative indoor sports facilities in Ohio. And while Parker has since passed away, Srsen, as president and CEO, remains steadfast in responding to customers’ interest and needs, along with keeping up on growing trends.
“The sports scene has really evolved and changed in the past decade,” says Srsen, former treasurer for the Cleveland Browns during the years, 1982 to 1995. “The nature of the sports, and public preferences, has changed from when we started twelve years ago. For instance, the popularity of lacrosse is increasing. More high schools are adding lacrosse varsity and club teams. And the girls’ fast-pitch softball has become standard for nearly all middle and high school programs.”
Back when the sports complex was launched in the former Cleveland Jet Center, the hot game at the time was indoor soccer, thanks to several championships by professional team, the Cleveland Crunch, which has since dissolved. While the sport is still popular, today’s customers have requested a way they can enjoy a greater outdoor experience to the indoor sport. Srsen heeded the call.
One of the biggest changes customers will notice this fall is a new, larger playing field (180 feet by 175 feet) featuring a new turf carpet that is softer and more grass-like, allowing better flexibility and adaptability for such sports as soccer, lacrosse, flag football, girls’ fast-pitch softball leagues and practices, as well as boys’ baseball leagues and practices. In addition, the elimination of the dasher boards allow for a larger, safer playing surface.
“Athletes will find this new surface will have less wear and tear on their joints,” Srsen says. “It’s very similar to what you find at professional sports venues. For adults, especially, the key is less pounding on the joints. As one gets older, that becomes really important.”
Something for Every Sports Enthusiast
The expansive multi-sports park boasts two basketball courts, indoor batting cages with nine different baseball & softball pitching machines, a baseball instructional cage, two volleyball courts, the area’s largest indoor golf complex featuring the newest, state-of-the-art virtual reality golf simulators, a 13-acre outdoor soccer complex, sand volleyball or sand soccer court, plus the new 31,000’ multi-sport indoor turf area
And you don’t have to go far to quench your thirst or fill your belly after a hard game of playing. The massive building also has a beautiful full-service bar and restaurant called, appropriately, The Players Club. It, too, has been recently renovated. “We’ve created a larger seating area and outdoor patio,” Srsen says. “We can accommodate large private parties, host special events, and often have live music and deejays. It’s been well received and our customers seem very happy with it.”
The club has also recently upgraded the virtual reality indoor golf complex with state-of-the-art equipment and better graphics. “Much better than going to a driving range,” Srsen notes proudly.
“We truly have a unique building here,” he says. “It’s large, clean, and has probably the best lighting of any indoor venue. And good lighting is very important with these kinds of sports. When a ball is flying at a rapid speed, you need good lighting for athletes’ safety.”
“We try to take advantage of our inherent strengths,” Srsen adds. “We strive to consistently offer more to the sports marketplace. And that means letting the customers decide what sports are in highest demand. Then we follow that lead.”
Lost Nation Sports will be celebrating their grand reopening weekend on September 11-12. There will be an open house with free munchies and soft drinks, free batting cage tokens and the opportunity to try out the new turf yourself. LNSP managers will be available to answer all your questions regarding soccer, lacrosse and flag football leagues and will be taking registrations for the fall and winter seasons.
Lost Nation Sports Park is located at 38630 Jet Center in Willoughby, just a short drive from I-271. Visit www.lnsportspark.com or call 440.602.4000 for more information.
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