Hungry for sports and want a place to play basketball or volleyball?
Let us steer you to the "Map" — that's The MAP Sports Facility, 12552 Western Ave., in Garden Grove, on the cusp of Stanton.
It's a fairly new facility (two years old), but it's making its mark.
The facility features eight basketball courts that can also be used for volleyball.
Hungry for sports and want a place to play basketball or volleyball?
Let us steer you to the "Map" — that's The MAP Sports Facility, 12552 Western Ave., in Garden Grove, on the cusp of Stanton.
It's a fairly new facility (two years old), but it's making its mark.
The facility features eight basketball courts that can also be used for volleyball.
The raised floors are all hardwood — made of second-grade maple — and the courts have 12 feet of commercial carpet between them, making them ideal for spectators, according to General Manager Dustin Bothwell.
"MAP is home to two of the largest men’s leagues, which are Hoops Unlimited (the longest-running men's league in Southern California) and ABN (Asian Basketball Network), Alley-Oop Youth Basketball League and multiple traveling basketball teams and volleyball teams," he said.
Bothwell said MAP attracts players of all varieties from youth to professionals such as Chris Paul, Michael Cooper, Lamond Murray, Jamal Sampson and Josh Childress.
"During weekends we host youth basketball tournaments that attract teams from all over the country and we have had teams from other countries as well," Bothwell said. "Even during the week, MAP also appeals to players. It's a busy place."
Supervisor Chase Roblee said the purpose of MAP is to bring people in to play basketball as well as volleyball.
MAP was started by investors who are sports fans, as you might guess.
"This place was built to give sports people an alternative to high school gymnasiums and outdoor courts where you never know what the weather will be," said Roblee.
Roblee said Monday through Friday the cost to play basketball or volleyball is $5 per person for as long as the court is available.
Another way they charge is hourly: from $55 to $65 an hour for groups that can play a pickup game without interruption.
"We cater to youth groups who are traveling basketball teams or local National Junior Basketball teams," Roblee said. "A lot of times these teams can't find court space and so have to go outside for practice."
The age range using MAP courts is from as young as 5 years old to the men's leagues, composed of 40 to 65 year olds, on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
"We host men's leagues here Sunday through Friday and it's safe to say that hundreds of sports fans come through here throughout the week and the weekends," he said.
Roblee said MAP started two years ago with three of the eight courts rented out but now the patronage has grown and they are booked from 5 to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends, they are booked through December of 2015.
"Dustin Bothwell, the general manager, has done a great job of getting people interested in MAP," said Roblee. "Dustin is a real sports fan and I am too. Basketball is my sport," he smiled.
Roblee said MAP now has a recurring clientele during both the week and on weekends.
The Orange County Volleyball Club also frequents the courts five days a week and volleyball is MAP's next big thrust.
Roblee said the facility has a youth basketball league starting in two weeks for boys and girls.
"We offer training Monday through Thursday with former NBA basketball player Lamond Murray, who played for the LA Clippers," Roblee said.
That training is $15 per session or four sessions for $40.
"We try to cater to everyone as much as possible and we also work to ensure that people enjoy their experience and we try to be a community focal point, meaning that we want the community to know that they are safe here and can have fun while being active."
The concession stand has munches of all types and even some apples and bananas available for purchase.
For information, visit www.themapsports.com
