WHOLE LOT OF FUN. The new Complexx at Wagner’s Lanes offers year-round volleyball on three sand courts. It’s located on what used to be a shortcut between Brackett Avenue and Fairfax Street in the building’s parking lot.

If you’ve been to Wagner’s Lanes recently or have just driven down Brackett Avenue, then you probably noticed the giant white dome – 35 feet tall at its highest – sitting next to the bowling alley in the parking lot that used to be the unofficial shortcut between Brackett and Fairfax Street.

This is The Complexx, Wagner’s newest addition, which includes three indoor sand volleyball courts, a tiki bar, and enough space to house 500 people for multiple types of events. With more than 130 teams already signed up for winter volleyball leagues and plenty of events planned, Paul Wilkes is very excited about what the Complexx can offer Eau Claire.

“It’s one more thing to put Eau Claire on the map,” says Wilkes, the marketing and sales director for Wagner’s. The Complexx is a venue that offers entertainment to the area in more than one way and gives much more back to the community. While Wagner’s is a bowling center first, The Complex will offer winter volleyball, concerts, and themed parties, all of which Wilkes believes will be beneficial to the local economy. “We’re trying to help keep Eau Claire relevant and bring a lot of multicultural things that will bring people to Eau Claire and spend money in our city,” he said.

Eau Claire has a strong volleyball presence, Wilkes said. Before now, people who wanted to play volleyball usually went to Loopy’s in Chippewa Falls. Now they can play much closer to home, which will be more convenient and put fewer people who want to have a drink in bad situations. “We thought it would be the perfect location to build it, and a strong enough presence that the one in Chippewa would still be busy and we would be busy as well,” Wilkes says.

Wilkes explained that The Complexx is a very unique structure as well: “The Complexx and Loopy’s are the only two indoor sand volleyball court facilities in the Midwest.” This not only shows the Valley’s passion for volleyball, but also something else that can put it on the map.

Environmentally speaking, The Complexx is a green facility. Since it’s made from removable fabric, Wagner’s can take advantage of the weather during the warmer months, when the dome will be taken down. This will cut down the strain on operational resources, and add some additional outside space for folks to enjoy in the summer time.

The Complexx has been received quite well by the community. Aside from the popularity with volleyball teams, the new facility has drawn in people with events as well. A Halloween grand opening – which featured 500 party-goers and a live band – was very successful.  More recently the new venue has hosted dueling pianists and country singer Chase Bryant and has booked numerous private parties. “It’s getting out there and people are excited to have this facility around,” Wilkes says. “We look forward to getting a lot of special events rolling.”

Whether you’re a company looking to have a meeting or event or just looking for a way to spend the evening, Wilkes invites folks to come and check out The Complexx. It’s a new and exciting place with a great atmosphere and a great place for companies to break out of the holiday party mold.

The Complexx at Wagner’s Lanes • 2159 Brackett Ave., Eau Claire • (715) 833-6700 • www.facebook.com/WagnerLanesandSportsComplex