Winsted sports dome under new ownership

WINSTED — A new owner is taking over at the Sports Domain on Torrington-Winsted Road, where soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and softball outings have become popular under the lights in an inflated white dome.

New owner Chris Lambert of Hamden said Tuesday that he plans to have a new dome up and running by the end of summer and that he’s already receiving calls to book the facility, which has hosted birthday parties and other social gatherings.

“We took over in April,� Lambert said, noting that the white fabric dome has weathered many storms during the past seven years, including a couple of snowstorms that slowly brought the roof down. “We’ve had a bunch of work to do to get the place back in shape,� he said. “We had to cut up the old dome and try to repair it, plus we’re going through the mechanicals and lighting to see what was damaged.�

Lambert is no stranger to the community sports scene, having been involved with the construction of a dual hockey rink in Cheshire. He said he hopes the new Winsted facility will be able to partner with the Cheshire rinks to attract participants in all featured sports.

“It’s only 35 minutes up Route 8 from Cheshire to get to Winsted,� he noted.

The old Sports Domain, owned and operated by Peter Lawrence, housed softball, soccer and field hockey games, plus golf lessons and parties. The facility grew to include a café and snack bar, while becoming the new home of Northwest Gymnastics this year.

The dome structure itself was created by the Farley Group, a company that manufactures fieldhouse domes. Lambert said he intends to switch to Rye Brook, N.Y.-based Air Structures American Technologies, Inc. (ASATI).

Lambert said Selectman Gene Berlinski has been very helpful in helping get the property cleaned up and prepared for renovations, which will take place during the next two months.

“It takes about eight to 12 weeks for the fabric to be put together for the new dome,� he said. “We should be open in September.�

In the meantime, certain activities and programs are up and running for the summer at the Sports Domain, including Northwest Gymnastics, parties in the lounge and pickup sporting events.

The Sports Domain is located at 147 Torrington Road, Winsted. For more information, call 860-238-7886 or 860-738-7900.

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