Big Dreams for the Dream Sports Center
by Jamie Buning

“New” is the word of the month at Dream Sports Center in Apex, NC. Steve Werner, general manager along with Bob Boucher, Dream Sports Founder, and a select group of faithful customers have formed a new ownership group for Dream Sports Center. With new owners come new programs and new ideas for the future. Werner’s goal for the facility is to provide a safe, fun environment for children and adults to develop both athletic and social skills.

In this day and age, video games, television, and other technology are present in almost every household, but don’t let them suck you (or your children) in! Get out and join a sports team; the benefits are unbelievable. The sports currently available at Dream Sports Center are roller hockey and soccer leagues, lacrosse, and deck hockey. Another sport called floorball that was invented in Sweden is becoming popular in America and has made its way to the Triangle. Dream Sports Center will introduce this sport on November 14 for the Friday Sports Night.  Floorball combines elements of lacrosse, hockey, and soccer with an emphasis on speed, skill, and technique, more than physical strength.  There is no contact allowed in floorball and it’s a great sport for beginners, both old and young. So try something new and give it a shot.

If you want to instill a love for athletics in your children at an early age, consider joining the Lil’ Kickers program; it’s based on the Child Development Theory and is completely non-competitive. Believe it or not, children as young as 18 months up to six years old can sign up for Lil’ Kickers because each class is designed to enhance social, emotional, and physical development appropriate to the age group. To find out more about Lil’ Kickers, come to the open house on December 6 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Dream Sports Center also offers track-out camps, special events, and sports nights. The latter occurs on Friday nights from 6:30 to 10:30 and children ages eight to 14 may attend. Get there early because spaces are limited to the first 200 people. Parents, this is a great way to check out a new restaurant or movie while the kids are getting their exercise, and the best part – it’s only $8! 

On Halloween night, a special event will take the place of regular sports night. There will be a costume contest, games with prizes and sports to play. Tickets cost $8 in advance or $10 at the door, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and ending at 10:30 p.m. So, if your children are too old to trick-or-treat, or perhaps they would rather play sports/games, take them to Dream Sports Center.

To stay updated on the activities at Dream Sports Center or to register and pay for leagues or events, visit www.dreamsportscenter.com. New soccer and in-line hockey leagues will begin in January and you should be on the lookout for more lunchtime programs, such as learn-to-skate classes.  Werner and Boucher also have plans to expand the already large (56,000 square foot) sports center to include an upstairs with multiple rooms. The goal is to have the expansion completed by the end of the year, at which point the rooms can be rented out for birthdays or corporate functions. 

So, while we’re following our favorite NFL, MLB, or NHL teams (go Hurricanes) this season and cheering on the players, learn by their example and join a team of your own. Team sports teach children about respect and cooperation and ready them for the “real world.” For adults, sports are great stress-relievers and provide opportunities to meet new people. So, what are you waiting for? Visit Dream Sports Center today!

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