A Huge New Indoor Sports Complex Is Coming to South Jersey

A proposed indoor sports complex, which has been in the works for nearly three years, received a major regulatory approval, moving one step closer to becoming a reality.

The Lower Township Planning Board unanimously agreed to conditional site plan approval for the Aviation Sports Complex at its July 16 meeting.

The Aviation Sports Complex, a masssive 100,000 square foot domed sports complex, was first authorized to be built on a lot across from the Cape May Airport in Lower Township in January 2024 by the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) Commission.

Parents of children who play soccer, lacrosse, and basketball in South Jersey have been talking for years about the potential for a local facility like this. Instead, many have been driving hours every weekend to similar sports facilities in North Jersey or Pennsylvania.

What the Aviation Sports Complex Will Feature

The complex will feature turf fields to host soccer and lacrosse events, and 60,000 square feet of space for basketball, volleyball, and as many as 22 pickleball courts

Golf simulators, areas for jujitsu and wellness classes, dining options, and a multipurpose space are also part of the facility's plan.

In addition to athletic space, the plans include a 15,000-square-foot welcome center with locker rooms, food service areas, retail space, and accommodations for private functions, such as birthday parties, team gatherings, and special events.

More Avation Sports Complex Details

According to plans presented to the planning board, the dome will measure roughly 250 feet wide, 400 feet long, and 75 feet high.

Engineers said the dome is designed to withstand wind gusts of up to 160 mph and snowfall of up to 3 feet.

The Aviation Sports complex is also planned to include a 15,000-square-foot welcome center with locker rooms, food service areas, retail space, and accommodations for private functions, including birthday parties, team gatherings, and special events.

Developers say work on the complex should begin in the next few months, with an estimated opening date of next winter.