Chandler sports park offers new ways to beat summer heat

CHANDLER, AZ (AZFamily) — Just in time for the desert summer heat, a new indoor attraction is open in the East Valley.

Founded by former NBA player Casey Jacobsen, Arena23 is a sports amusement park offering eight sports under one roof.

“I’ve been working on this concept for five years,” Jacobsen said. “It first started as just a seed. I love sports, but how can I bring sports and make it more entertaining?”

He said he wanted to open a space for kids to learn and play multiple sports instead of being under pressure to excel at just one.

“What happened to sports being just for fun?” the former Phoenix Suns player said. “That’s what this place is.”

The sports it offers are “QB1″ football, skiing, tennis, boxing/MMA, baseball, soccer, “dunk jam basketball” and human foosball.

“This is not a virtual reality place; you do not wear goggles here,” Jacobsen said. “You are authentically playing the sports where technology is just aiding the experience. You’re going to be throwing real footballs, hitting real baseballs, kicking real soccer balls.”

After you run out of energy with all the sports options, Arena23 has cereal and soda bars to refuel. All ages are welcome.

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