Hoop Dream: Man Hopes to Bring Basketball Complex to Plainfield

A man is hoping to bring a professional-quality sports complex to the village — and he’s looking for help making it a reality.

William Leach wants to open Premiere Hoops, a sports complex featuring two NBA-size basketball courts, volleyball courts, a fitness center and other amenities, on 143^rd Street near Steiner Road.

Leach, a Plainfield dad and recreation specialist who has worked with area fitness centers, said he saw a need for an athletic complex in Plainfield.

“The parents are really supportive of recreation in this area,” he said. “But it’s really hard to find a basketball space here.”

The facility would offer clinics and camps for basketball players, Leach said, and could be made available for other sports.

“The idea is to give ordinary customers a professional experience,” he said.

Leach has launched a fundraiser website at RocketHub.com to help get the project off the ground.

When completed, he said Premiere Hoops will operate out of a converted 38,000-square-foot barn. Leach estimates it will take about $2.5 million to purchase the property and complete renovations.

Those who donate will also get something out of the deal, according to Leach.

“Basically, what we’re doing is selling pre-memberships for a dirt-cheap price,” he said. Depending on the amount of donations, which can be as low as $1, supports will get rewards such as free day passes, T-shirts, jackets and other incentives.

Once it opens, Premiere Hoops will offer monthly memberships for $87. Athletes can also use the facility for a daily rate.

“We’re hoping to get something going by this time next year,” Leach said, adding the economic downturn has made it tough to find investors and donors to back the project.

“Right now we’re just trying to gather support and take it to the next level,” he said. “It’s going to be family friendly. It’s going to be a great asset to the community.”

For more on the project, visit www.premierehoops.com. To donate, click here.