$92M Kings Park sports complex to add dome, proceed with less parking

The Smithtown Town Board has approved modifications to a $92 million sports complex under construction in Kings Park, including the addition of a bubble dome and a reduction in the number of parking spaces.

The developer, Prospect Sports Partners LLC, also would be allowed to increase the height of one of the planned buildings at Destination KP Sports Park from 35 feet to 62 feet, according to project documents, once the modifications are finalized.

The about 44-acre facility being built on a former industrial site on Old Northport Road is expected to be a destination for athletic events and operated by Agape Community Sports Services. The project broke ground in December 2024. 

The developer is building a 64,800-square-foot multifloor indoor sports facility, along with seven outdoor athletic fields and medical and commercial office space. The entire property spans 100,000 square feet and initial plans for it date back more than a decade: The town gave early approvals in 2014 and 2015.

The town board signed off on plans to build a 28,000-square-foot bubble earlier this spring. The updates also cut the number of parking spaces required by more than half — from 2,413 to 1,016 — modified plans for several buildings, and reduced the setback of sports lighting on the property from nearby homes to 710 feet from 750 feet.

Yuliya Viola, of Certilman Balin, which represented Prospect Sports Partners at a hearing earlier in April, said the dome would be used for indoor lacrosse, soccer and basketball games. It "will not have any adverse impact to adjacent properties," she said, and will be "far removed" from homes. 

Residents who spoke during the hearing said they were worried about the revisions. 

"We’re concerned about the noise level, the lights, the height of the buildings and our property values," said Susan Simon, a resident in the Country Pointe development in Kings Park. "We’re all condo owners, and that’s what we’re concerned about."

Viola said the updated number of parking spaces was “adequate,” and the lights will still be far enough from nearby properties.

Representatives for Prospect Sports Partners didn't return requests for comment.

Gerard Cairns, president of the Kings Park Country Pointe Homeowners Association, said at the hearing that property owners already had “some anxiety” about the project and were concerned about the height of the lights and halving the parking requirement.

However, Cairns said last week that the developers have since met with nearby residents about their concerns and the group is working to satisfy them. "We have an excellent relationship with them so far," he said. "They sound like they're very receptive. They want to work with their neighbors."

He added, "I think we're on a good path here so far."

The developers also were scheduled to meet last week with residents to discuss adding shrubbery around the edge of a property line facing residential homes that would serve as a buffer from the sports lights. 

The town board voted 5-0 at its April 23 regular meeting to approve the modifications, but the planning department must sign off on changes to the site plan. Once they are approved, the developer can seek changes to building permits and proceed.