The indoor facility hosts lessons, events and tournaments for a variety of ages and skill sets, fostering a close-knit community of sports lovers, owner Joseph Catalano said.
“We have a very ... familial bond with all the players here, and you’ll notice that as people come in. Everybody’s super happy to be here,” he said.
Catalano, who played inline hockey and whose son grew up playing at Houston Premier Sportsplex, had been involved with the business for 11 years prior to acquiring it in February 2022.
The space is important for the local community, especially the children, who frequent the facility, Catalano said. Multiple adult leagues play at the center and youth lessons are offered for ages 6-14.
“For us, growing a youth league keeps kids off the streets and ... we consider this a safe space, and I think athleticism for children is important,” Catalano said.
The sports offered at Houston Premier Sportsplex teach children important life skills like teamwork, said Ray Lamborn, director of the sportsplex’s youth program. To help players get started, sponsors sometimes donate equipment.
“There’s a little bit of an upfront cost to get going with the equipment, and we don’t want that to be a barrier,” Lamborn said.
Catalano said he took over the sportsplex to keep it from closing, and a little over one year later, he already has hopes of expanding. He said he aspires to open a larger facility with a restaurant, pickleball, a women’s league and more youth teams.
Hockey 101
Inline hockey is one of the many sports played at Houston Premier Sportsplex, and although the sport is similar to ice hockey, there are notable differences.
Roller/inline hockey:
Played on a smooth floor
Players wear wheeled skates
A plastic puck with raised points is used
Five players per team maximum allowed
Ice hockey:
Played on an ice rink
Players wear ice skates
A flat rubber puck is used
Six players per team maximum allowed
Houston Premier Sportsplex
221 Barren Springs Drive, Houston
832-767-5589
www.houstonpremiersportsplex.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
