A complex sports task 2/3/2010 10:14:46 AM

As the new executive director of the HUB Sports Center in Liberty Lake, Champlin is gathering any and all ideas to make the regional sports complex viable for the long term.

"We're open for business, so to speak. Come bring us your ideas," Champlin said. "Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake don't have a facility like this, so we're filling a void, but no one knows we're filling that void."

His job is to change that.

Champlin recently discussed with The Splash his hopes and strategies for the HUB, a 66,000-square-foot facility at 19619 E. Cataldo Ave.

Q: What challenges is the HUB facing?

A: I don't think the challenges have changed a whole lot (in the last few years). My job comes down to three things: One is to raise awareness that the facility exists; two is to find more events to bring in to use the facility; and last is to find groups and businesses to underwrite the operating costs. I don't think those challenge are unique to me. I've had enough experience on the other side of trying to bring events to a warehouse facility. From what I've seen, the (HUB) facility has been operating on a part-time basis in the last few years. It needs to be a full-time facility, and I think the community can be using it as a full-time facility.

Q: Let's talk numbers for the HUB.

A: Amount to purchase and operate the building: $3.9 million for the purchase and $1.1 million for operating are still the ballpark numbers.

Number of kids and families using the HUB: 2,500 on a weekly basis.

Number of courts: Five basketball courts that can be converted into nine volleyball courts and also used for badminton, pickleball, dodgeball and soccer. There's also a batting cage.

Number of studios for classes: Three.

Square footage: 66,000 square feet with 50,000 square feet of that for court space.

Number of employees: Two full time, two part time.

Q. What changes do you hope to make?

A: Changing the logo/name: We're dropping "regional" and "valley" so it's HUB Sports Center. It's quick.

Signage: We're working on signage for the outside of the building and an awning over the front door.

Web site: We're changing the Web site to Hubsportscenter.org for the continuity and (also) raising the Google ranking.

Purpose statement: The purpose statement was "Providing personal and community renewal through sports." I'm changing that to "Our purpose is to provide events that have a positive impact on the youth in the community." The primary focus is a place for kids.

Sponsors: We've had five or six new sponsors in the last two and a half months.

Classes: We've started group fitness classes and drop-in basketball on Tuesdays at lunchtime. It's fun to see the activity.

Fields: The dream is to take the field space outside and turn it into grass and turf ball fields and then it becomes a HUB sports complex, then it really is a year-round destination.

Q: What events are coming up?

A: We will do an open house on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. In general, we will utilize groups coming in and using the facility already (basketball, soccer, badminton/pickleball, volleyball, baseball, etc). Basically, raise awareness that the facility is here, tell our story. We still need community support to keep this facility going.

Q: What will it take to keep the HUB open?

A: I think that we really need the community and businesses to make a conscious decision to support a facility like this in the community for their children.

I was part of a campaign in college to raise funds for the athletic department. And we said it was about leaving a legacy. This place is about leaving a legacy. To play events like basketball and volleyball and soccer. This building shouldn't become a warehouse. It would be a shame to have it go backwards. I think people don't know that we still need that support, that's the biggest thing. Hopefully if they know we need support, it's not the best time people don't have money laying around, but everyone can do something.

We don't need $1,000 from everybody. But if you want to make a $20 donation per month, it gets us a ways down the road to getting the courts cleaned up or paper supplies. If five people got together and said they'd do $20 a month, that's $100 a month. Basically, it's asking people to do their part. That's really what it's going to take, having some foresight and leaving that legacy.

If everybody waits for somebody else to do it, it's going to be too late. It's not the five-alarm fire yet, but we're not that far either. I don't want to create panic, but they have to know there's a need.

Profiles:
Phil Champlin

Age
38

Family
Married; three kids, ages 8, 6 and 4

City of residence
Spokane, since 2004

Education
Bachelor's degree from University of California Davis in agricultural and managerial economics; master's degree in business from University of Southern California

Job history
Worked for Coca-Cola in sales, then worked 11 years with Skyhawks, which produces youth sports camps, now working as executive director of HUB Sports Center

Been with the HUB
Two and a half months

Hobbies
Volleyball and basketball, coaching kids' teams, spending time with family

Life motto
"I'm a Christian, and I believe in God and believe he has a plan for my life; even though they don't make sense, they make sense in the long run."