Thornton is getting a sports playground on a massive scale this summer, as Dick's Sporting Goods prepares to open a 90,000-square-foot DICK'S House of Sport at the Larkridge shopping center. The new location will pair a full retail floor with batting cages, golf simulators, and a climbing wall, all sitting on an 11.125-acre pad along Washington Street near I-25 and E-470.
According to the Denver Business Journal, the retailer plans to build roughly 90,000 square feet at Larkridge and is targeting a summer opening. That report highlights indoor golf simulators, batting cages, and a climbing wall as main attractions and includes imagery showing how DICK'S has staged the format in other markets. The Business Journal characterizes House of Sport as far more interactive than a typical big-box sporting goods store.
The City of Thornton planning portal shows a pre-application for “Larkridge F1 A4 L1C (Dick's House of Sport)” at 16401 Washington St., confirming both the site and the project scale. A local economic development newsletter lists the Larkridge House of Sport as “Opening Q2 2026,” which lines up with the Business Journal's summer timeline. City documents put the parcel at roughly 11.125 acres, giving DICK'S room to blend indoor performance zones with more traditional merchandised space.
What the House of Sport Will Offer
DICK'S House of Sport combines a full sales floor with dedicated performance areas where customers can test gear, book practice time, and sign up for lessons without leaving the building. Tom's Guide described the concept as a “playground for athletes,” complete with in-store simulators and services such as racket restringing and glove break-in. DICK'S emphasizes bookable training spaces and brand activations that let shoppers test products head-to-toe on-site.
Why DICK'S Is Expanding the Format
DICK'S told investors in its Q1 2026 earnings release that “House of Sport and Field House have redefined the athlete experience,” and the company plans to open roughly 14 more House of Sport locations this year. Executives have pointed to longer visits and higher spending per trip at these experiential stores as the main reason for speeding up the rollout. For landlords and regional planners, the format functions as a hybrid anchor - retail plus recreation - that is built to draw repeat visits instead of one-off shopping runs.
Local Impact and What to Watch Next
The project is already leaving a local footprint. DICK'S has posted openings for a Golf Professional and other House of Sport roles tied to the Denver area, indicating hiring is underway. A regional development tracker lists the Larkridge site as under construction, and nearby dining and entertainment tenants suggest the center is shifting into a suburban activity hub rather than a simple shopping stop. Expect additional permit filings, more job postings, and a formal announcement from DICK'S to lock in a grand opening date as the summer target approaches.
For now, the planned 90,000-square-foot House of Sport at Larkridge is on track to become a new destination for drop-in practice, equipment demos, and lessons in the northern suburbs. Residents will be watching for DICK'S and city officials to roll out grand opening details and community programming as the project moves toward the finish line.
