Recreational youth sports aren’t just good for athletes. The parents of the youngsters can often find a friendship or two in the program. TC Lewis and Sammy Black found business partners in each other.

The two Peachtree City residents are now co-owners of Score Indoor Sports, a new facility in Fairburn that boasts two-and-a-half, state-of-the-art indoor athletic fields. Lewis and Black are both former youth soccer coaches, and the fields will certainly draw a large number of athletes who love “the beautfiul game,” but both men think that the fields will also be used for sports such as lacrosse and flag football.

The first season of soccer will start at Score Indoor Sports, located at 1245 Oakley Industrial Boulevard in Fairburn, early in March, and the owners feel that their location, right off the exit from I-85, will attract athletes from all over the southside of Atlanta.

Lewis, a native of Trinidad, and Black both have military backgrounds. Lewis flew helicopters and airplanes all over the world for the U.S. Army before retiring after 20 years of service. Black is a member of the Alabama Air National Guard as the 100th Fighter Squadron commander. During his tenure with the Guard, he has participated in five combat deployments to Southwest Asia, three of which have been in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They have also served in the trenches of the Peachtree City Youth Soccer Association as coaches. Now, their children are being coached by others in the Lightning Academy programs and they are focusing on opening a facility that they think is unrivaled in the Southeast.

The two main fields feature a turf similar to what the Atlanta Falcons play on and each one is lined with glass walls that get the crowds close to the action. There is a smaller field for younger players and for training sessions, and there will be camps and clinics offered soon. Both Lewis and Black also think the facility is a good place for functions such as birthday parties, exhibitions, trade shows and more. They have already had someone call to schedule a family reunion in the facility.

Score Indoor Sports will certainly benefit from a soccer-heavy area such as this, but perhaps the biggest asset it offers is the flexibility that two fields affords them. A lot of people can fit in the building, and Lewis and Black estimate that they will have over 100,000 people pass through their doors each year playing one sport or another. Lewis stated that the facility will employ between 50-75 people, including referees, and mentions that there are openings available.

The pair have had a lot of help in getting ready for their opening, praising the Bank of Georgia and the City of Fairburn for their work in assisting them as they get the facility off the ground.

“We’re looking forward to providing all of the families and sports lovers of the Atlanta area with a clean, comfortable, and fun-filled facility to enjoy a full range of sports competition, training and recreation,” Black said.

Score Indoor Sports is shooting for a March 1 opening and league play will start on March 10. For more information on the facility, leagues that are forming and classes and clinics, visit www.scoreindoor.com or phone 770-357-2670.

login to post comments