Joe Johnston, our favorite East Coast vault maniac, is the subject of a new profile by the Orlando Sentinel. (Here’s one from 2011.) This week’s story reviews the history of his backyard “Joe Dome” vault center. But it’s in disrepair and “critters” are using it to crash. So now he’s looking to build an indoor vault facility. But county authorities are balking. (They say his 5,000-square-foot needs are too big.) The Sentinel says: “Despite his recent setbacks, Johnston has no doubt that his dream will someday become a reality” and quotes Joe, 72: “Like most things in my life, it doesn’t happen quite as quick as I want it to but it’ll happen.” We know it will, Joe. Hang tough. Here’s the video.

Joe Johnston shows off Joe Dome to a young reporter in latest video.

And for sake of posterity, here’s the story:

Back in the 1980s, Joe Johnston and his buddies jumped the fence into Showalter Field in Winter Park nearly everyday.

That was until an officer spotted the rebels who were armed with unusually large sticks and told them to hit the road.

“That was the end of that,” said Johnston.

But it was just the beginning of a dream that would follow Johnston into his 70’s.

The unusual sticks were equipment used for pole vaulting and Johnston and his crew were sneaking in to grab a few jumps on the field.

“We had nowhere else to go,” said Johnston.

For fear of any further police interaction, Johnston began building his own pole-vaulting facility in his backyard in Apopka.

“I put down concrete and started buying some boards,” said Johnston.

That’s how the Joe Dome was born. The open-air building looks more like a worn barn than an athletic center.

Almost everything inside is homemade including a rolling staircase, pole vaulting pit and various drill stations.

It’s safe to say the Joe Dome has seen better times. Holes in the roof cause leaks when it rains and nearby wildlife often take refuge inside.

“I spend nearly 10 hours a week on maintenance,” said Johnston. “I could be using that time to pole vault.”

Within the last year, Johnston saved enough money to upgrade his dome into a high-class indoor training facility.

“It’s been a life long dream to have an indoor vault facility,” said Johnston.

Vaulters both young and old currently come to the Joe Dome for free lessons and Johnston says that would only grow if he could build the upgraded facility.

“It’s like Christmas when you give someone a gift and they like it. It just feels good,” said Johnston.

But unlike the fast sprint needed for a good jump, Johnston is facing issues that are slowing him down to marathon pace.

“According to the codes I can only have 1000 square foot accessory building and this thing would be 5000 square feet,” said Johnston.

Johnston has been working with the zoning board on possible solutions as well as looking at properties out of town.

“I just want to walk out the back door and go do it,” said Johnston.

Despite his recent setbacks, Johnston has no doubt that his dream will someday become a reality.

“Like most things in my life it doesn’t happen quite as quick as I want it to but it’ll happen,” said Johnston.