BETHEL – A 20-year varsity volleyball coach at Ridgefield High School has opened a sports complex that offers athletes of all ages a year-round facility to practice volleyball, pickleball, and basketball.
Stars Labs, which opened in August, is in a 16,000-square-foot climate-controlled facility at 185 Grassy Plain St. It includes three volleyball courts, six pickleball courts, and three basketball courts along with a weight room and a spacious lobby where parents can watch their children play.
“I love coaching and helping point young athletes in the right direction,” said owner Lidania Cibere. “Giving them an outlet in my gym where it’s a safe space for them to be who they truly are gives them an opportunity to become better athletes. Our mission is to foster a community that encourages growth, teamwork, and excellence in sports.”
That mission has led Cibere to build a powerhouse volleyball program that has earned four state championships and two FCIAC titles at Ridgefield High.
Stars Lab is home to the CT Stars Volleyball Club, a premier youth program in the region for K-12th grade run by Cibere since 2012.
“We’ve grown exponentially over the last few years and amassed 25 teams that travel both locally and nationally,” she said. “We’ve coached top players in the state and some have landed at top D1, D2 and D3 (college) schools.” Cibere herself has played Division I volleyball at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain.
Along with Cibere, her staff includes Chantheara Chuk, facilities manager and Brookfield High School volleyball coach; and Chrissy Casagni, an in-house pickleball professional.
In addition to being home base for the CT Stars and offering both in-house and travel volleyball programs, the complex offers basketball and pickleball instruction, provides open adult volleyball programs, is open to the public daily for pickleball, clinics, and offers basketball and pickleball court rentals for groups. This winter it will add kiddy basketball programs. Pickleball memberships are also available.
Cibere, who is leasing the property from JAR Associates, is grateful to have a space to offer athletic programming for children.
“I’m proud that I can give back to the town that provided me with so much growing up,” she added. “I played and captained the volleyball, basketball, and tennis teams at Bethel High School so I’m proud to be a Wildcat.”
“Being a business owner that grew up and lives right in town sets us apart. Bethel is such a sports town so creating this space to help with the need we have for more courts is an amazing opportunity.”
Cibere’s long-term vision is to become a staple in the Bethel community and the entire region. “With multiple sports offerings, my goal is to help kids of all ages and older athletes create a healthy lifestyle,” Cibere said. “It’s the relationships and all the growth I’ve seen from my athletes that brings me joy.”
