USA offers indoor activities for students
HYDE PARK – A venue for indoor soccer and rock climbing, the Ultimate Sports Arena provides outdoor enthusiasts an indoor experience.
Ragnar Hartzheim is the manager of the arena. Hartzheim came over from Germany four years ago. He graduated from Utah State with a degree in marketing, met his wife and now makes his home in the Cache Valley.
The busy season is just starting for the arena, Hartzheim said. Most people tend to do these type of activities outdoors in the summertime.
“Mostly, we get a lot of church groups and scouts coming in or college kids bringing dates in,” Hartzheim said.
Monday marked the beginning of indoor soccer league.
“Currently there are four teams in the league and always room for anyone who wants to play,” he said.
They have both youth and adult leagues for all that want to participate.
“The National Soccer Federation (NSF) has contacted us and wants to hold a tournament in February or March,” Hartzheim said.
The NSF sent flyers to other western states, Hartzheim said, such as Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado, inviting them to compete in the tournament.
“We have also been contacted by an arena in Ogden that would like to start up some league play with us,” Hartzheim said.
Hartzheim said the arena can easily be converted into a volleyball court on request. It may be the future site of a dodgeball league shareholder Brian Olsen said, who got the idea from a league started in Provo over the summer.
“I saw what they did in Provo and would like to try it here,” Olsen said.
Olsen said he also plans on putting on a soccer clinic for children who want some fine-tuning or would like to learn more about the game.
The climbing wall offers a variety of trails for the experienced and those who are just beginning.
The arena also houses a snack bar for patrons to refuel throughout the day.
Rick’s Cards and Collectables, a Collectables shop inside the arena, has a wide variety of items ranging from a Lebron James rookie card to a signed poster of Babe Ruth. Hartzheim said they will be having trade nights where collectors will be able to see what their cards and items are worth or trade for items that catch their eye.
“He has a lot of cool stuff,” Ragnar said.
Located at 3985 N. 75 West in Hyde Park, the arena is open from 1-8 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m – 5 p.m. Saturday.
-mlglade@cc.usu.edu