Twisters owner opens new sand sports facility
by Cynthia Petersen · July 26th, 2018


John Mangold, owner of Twisters Gymnastics, recently opened another business in close proximity to Twister's current location on Tower Terrace Road.

Sandlot Sports, 4655 Tower Terrace Road, not only offers sand volleyball, but a variety of other fun sand sports, as well as other popular sports.

According to Sandlot Sports representative, Doug Yanecek, Mangold "built the dream and facility to provide the Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Marion metro areas a facility that could support several programs to families, so that they would not have to drive to several geographical locations for their activities and recreation."

Yanecek said Game On CR will operate two buildings. The first is named Game On Sportsplex sport courts, which houses 13,500 square feet of sport turf primarily used by CRSA Soccer Club. It will also include two full-sized high school regulation sport court basketball/volleyball courts.

"The CR Surge and Rapid Spikers Volleyball Clubs are using these courts for their volleyball programs and training," said Yanecek. "They will be sharing time with the Iowa Sting and TNT5 Iowa Prep Basketball programs."

The CR Kennedy Youth Baseball will also share this site, with a 22' x 20' x 90' batting cage for hitting - pitching training and a plyometric wall for arm care and strength training.

Yanecek said a youth program called Little Sport Torts, an introductory preschool sport program, will be operated by Jed Eichhorn to introduce a variety of activities to younger ages for health and recreation.

The second building will be known as Game on CR Courts.

"This is a 24,000-squarefoot facility, which has three high school-sized basketball courts and four high school volleyball courts on 18,800 square feet of grade three hard maple floors."

Yanecek said it will be used by TNT5 Iowa Prep Basketball Club for camps, practice, leagues and tournaments, along with Iowa Sting Basketball.

"We are planning to host several basketball tournaments. The courts building has also been selected to be host for six Regional-State gymnastics meets in the 2018-19 season."

According to Yanecek, the Sandlot Sports Complex is

Iowa's largest outdoor multi-use sand sport facility, currently hosting volleyball leagues for Sandlot Sports and CR Social Club. Sandlot Sports has partnered with EVP Volleyball to host training camps and tournament events for both youth and adult 2-person, 4-person and 6-person teams.

Sandlot Sports is currently working to host a juniors USA volleyball event.

Inside Sandlot Sports is a spacious tiki bar that can be used for special events such as birthday and retirement parties, and even bridal and baby showers.

"It is open during league hours and rental events," said Yanecek. "The tiki bar will be the host for the upcoming American Cornhole League (ACL) and CR Social Club bags leagues, with dates starting in July.

Sandlot Sports Volleyball Director, Michelle Goodall, has started several unique volleyball programs including open play, a parent-child league (to allow parents and kids to compete together), and a mad hatter league in which you come sign up as an individual and lottery-placed on a team.

Yanecek said future plans include a partnership with a training/gym facility to offer athletic and strength training, along with a place for all the parents to work out while their families and children participate in all the other activities.

For facility promotions and leasing information, call Doug Yanecek at (319) 533-1438. Visit Sandlots Sports' website for more information regarding hours and programs at www.sandlotsportscr.net.