Rome News-Tribune

Lakepoint Sports to host “Fansgiving”

♦ The Bartow County facility will offer music, games and more at the free event.

- By Tom Spigolon, @Tspigolonn­br

Assorted games, food trucks, a car show and live music will be among the attraction­s Nov. 9 as Lakepoint Sports hosts its inaugural Fansgiving event to thank the “supportive community” surroundin­g it.

The free event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the campus of the 1,300-acre youth sports and recreation facility at I-75 and Old Allatoona Road in Emerson, a news release stated.

Lakepoint Sports CEO and President Mark O’brien said the facility “is grateful to be surrounded by a supportive community and the Fansgiving event was created as a small way to say thank you for helping make everything here at Lakepoint possible.

“We also realize that November is a time to celebrate family, friends and veterans. We are excited to open our campus to host our ‘extended’ Lakepoint Sports family in a get-together to enjoy music, food and fun, while getting to honor our local veterans,” O’brien said

Shottenkir­k Honda vehicle dealership also provided a donation for a raffle for a new Honda Civic, with all the proceeds benefiting a local veterans organizati­on.

The facility boasts eight Major League-sized baseball fields; and three multi-use fields for soccer, lacrosse, rugby, football and more.

It also features a 170,000-square-foot Champions Center – with 12 fullsize basketball courts that convert to 24 full-size volleyball courts – as well as accommodat­ions for gymnastics, cheer and many more indoor sports and events. Lakepoint Sports is the official home of the training camp of the Harlem Globetrott­ers, and it features partnershi­ps with Prep Baseball Report and Playsight Interactiv­e.

Officials with Lakepoint recently announced constructi­on of a 200-room hotel adjacent to the Champions Center.

A new road, Lakepoint Parkway Extension, also opened recently and will link the existing campus with a new North Campus that Lakepoint is planning for additional developmen­t of the sports and entertainm­ent complex.

Cindy Williams, CEO of the Cartersvil­le-bartow County Chamber of Commerce, said, “Our local businesses fuel the economic engine of Bartow County, and Lakepoint Sports is one of the biggest contributo­rs to our success.

“Lakepoint Fansgiving will be a celebratio­n of the progress our community has made as we look forward to continued growth and shared prosperity,” Williams said.

Since college football will be in full swing, Lakepoint will broadcast some of the day’s top games with tailgating, music and other games.

Ellen Archer, executive director of the Cartersvil­lebartow County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said, “Lakepoint Fansgiving is not only a celebratio­n of our local community, but yet another opportunit­y for Lakepoint Sports and Bartow County to shine for all those who come to visit with us that day.

“We’re excited to be a part of this community-focused event that we’re certain will become one of our newest traditions.”

For more informatio­n, visit www.lakepoints­ports.com/ Fansgiving.

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