Spooky Nook, Nation's Largest Sport Complex, Opens

For the new roster of 30 U.S. Women’s National Team athletes the feeling of coming home is perhaps sweeter than a sugar-infused, Amish-baked whoopie pie. By the end of summer, Craig Parnham, U.S. Women’s Head Coach, along with the nation’s most prestigious field hockey competitors are heading to the East Coast to plant roots in Lancaster, Pa. soil at Spooky Nook Sports, the grand new Home of Hockey.  

"This new facility promises to be an aspiration venue for the whole hockey community," said Parnham. "Not only will it be home of our elite programs in which athletes will have access to world class facilities and support services, it will also allow the next generation of hockey players, coaches and officials to share in the environment and take inspiration from it."

Spooky Nook Sports’ doors were officially opened June 3, 2013.  This modernly innovative sports complex is more than 700,000 square feet indoor sports and entertainment as well as 50 acres of outdoor space located less than 20 minutes from downtown Lancaster. Central Pennsylvania is widely known as Amish Country across the United States but today Lancaster has a new attraction, Spooky Nook Sports, the largest sports, entertainment and events complex in the entire country.

At the entrance to this expansive facility stands a 30-foot rock wall complete with an arch, boulder and crack climbing on the right side. On the left side is Clip N' Climb, a unique climbing experience which may thrill even the bravest adults. There are 10 full-length basketball/volleyball hardwood courts, six tennis courts surfaced in the same material as the U.S Open, AstroTurf ® fields for a variety of sports including soccer, futsal, field hockey, dodge ball and more. A full-sized baseball diamond infield, eight batting cages and pitching lanes offer training for baseball and softball players.

The fitness center overlooks the basketball and tennis courts and includes elliptical machines, free-weights, a cycling studio with a projection screen, group fitness classes, personal trainers, child watch and locker rooms.  The sports performance center area overlooks the tennis courts. This professional level strength and conditioning room includes five dual-sided power racks, two jammers, kettle balls, dumb bells and additional functional training equipment.

Spooky Nook offers a vast sport court area that may be used for a multitude of sports including but not limited to basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, futsal, martial arts, fencing, pickle ball, handball, and many other sports.

In addition to sports, the facility offers meetings, events, and team building opportunities. The Nook already accommodated several private events during the soft opening phase, which began in March. These events included the Irish Rumble volleyball tournament, the Lancaster Mennonite Prom, and the Women's Expo hosted by Business Women's magazine.

"Spooky Nook Sports has something for everyone,” said Marketing Coordinator, Stephanie Jordan.  “We are a filled with every sport imaginable however; we want to bring entertainment and events to the community as well.  We hope our facility helps to build the local economy, brings patrons to area businesses and draws tourists to Lancaster County.”

About USA Field Hockey: USA Field Hockey is the national governing body for the sport of field hockey in the United States and is based in Colorado Springs, Colo. USA Field Hockey is committed to providing opportunities for our 23,000 members to participate, develop and excel as players, coaches, umpires and administrators. The U.S. Men's and Women's National Teams strive for competitive excellence in Olympic, Pan American Games, World Cup and other International competitions. USA Field Hockey is a proud member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Hockey Federation. For more information, visit usafieldhockey.com.