Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater (SMPA) has been buzzing with a unique, electric energy. From children’s birthday parties to adult workout sessions, the star of the show is the new NinjaCross™ retractable obstacle course – a first in Alabama.
An exclusive three-year partnership with NinjaCross™ has elevated SMPA’s indoor aquatic facility, adding to the 133-acre entertainment complex’s broad range of amenities. More than just a first in Alabama, this addition represents a pioneering move in the entire state’s recreational landscape, demonstrating the innovative spirit that underlies everything SMPA does. “We aim to promote fitness and fun at SMPA,” stated General Manager Brent Boatwright. “NinjaCross™ is next-level aquatic entertainment, and we are proud to pioneer this innovation right here in Albertville.”
The park’s outdoor water park is jam-packed in the summer months. “But indoors, we needed something a little more exciting to do, especially in the winter,” said Boatwright. “A city council member had seen a NinjaCross™ advertisement, and the rest was history.” The facility made the official partnership announcement on October 25, 2023, and subsequently held a ribbon-cutting event in November.
Jessica Ryan, Senior Director of Business Development for SMPA, was among the first to experience the new offering. “I can just tell you from personal experience, the kids love it,” shared Ryan, giving it a resounding stamp of approval. “My middle one had a birthday party up here a while back, and they were all over it. If you ever need to tire your kid out in about an hour, throw them on that ninja course!”
These obstacle courses are reminiscent of what you would see on the popular TV show, American Ninja Warrior– hanging from the ceiling over two lanes that cover a portion of SMPA’s indoor pool. “One lane is for beginner Ninja Warriors, and the next one is far more advanced,” says Ryan. “The advanced course is extremely hard, and we’ve only had about five people complete it so far.”
Despite the challenging nature of the course, achieving victory here means more than crossing the finish line— it’s about sealing your triumph. It’s about slamming the buzzer to freeze the countdown clock on the big screen before you, flashing that record time for all to see.
“Overall, the community has loved it,” said Boatwright. “They’re excited to be able to use it, until they do, and then they’re like, ‘Okay, that was rough.’ But again, it seems to have been received well by the community.” Members and non-members with a day pass can participate for two hours per day. Then, when school is out, the courses will be available for extended hours due to their popularity.
But the plans for NinjaCross™ at SMPA don’t stop at unique birthday parties and fitness sessions. As SMPA continues to enhance its commitment to the community’s mental and physical well-being, the facility plans to introduce leagues, competitions, and other events in the future. This move will not only spur local engagement but also provide a fresh, fun, and competitive platform for fitness enthusiasts.
NinjaCross™ indeed represents a major milestone for SMPA and the community it serves. As the only facility in the state to offer such a feature, it is setting the bar high for recreational innovation. And with its exclusive contract, it’s an experience that will remain solely within the SMPA community for the next few years.
With its year-round availability, NinjaCross™ is more than just a new feature— it’s a commitment to ensuring that members and guests of SMPA have exciting, unique, and engaging fitness options at their disposal all year round, and an excellent way to experience a different type of workout while having fun, of course.
Stay tuned for more exciting news and updates from Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater, the leading name in sports, leisure, wellness, and entertainment in Alabama.
