Update on NEW Asheville Soccer Center    

Saturday, August 16, 2008 2:11 PM

There are many questions swirling around our close knit soccer community about the new indoor center.  When is going to open?  Where is it going to be? What is is going to be like?   Is there even going to be one?  There is a lot of speculation, so we are here to set the record straight.
 
Since we closed the doors the end of June, many changes have been made to the "old" center.  The lovely bathrooms have been completely finished and the inside where our fields were has been gutted.  The have removed the scoreboards, walls, and turf.  These have been stored on the hotel property for use in the new center.  The hotel staff did NOT throw our items away.  We will be using the same scoreboards, walls and turf in the new center.  They will continue to work on the old center for use of indoor tennis and exhibition center.
 
For the new center, our hopes were to be opened and operated by the start of our Holiday Leagues.  Given the amount of time it has taken to finish out the old center and to obtain permits from the City of Asheville for the new center, our opening has been pushed back.  We are now looking at a 2009 opening date.  Currently we are waiting on permits to be issued which can take several weeks to obtain once plans have been submitted.  The first plans included part of the new center being attached to the old center.  Unfortunately due to the square footage of the new center, part of the building would have been in a flood plain.  So, the new center will be located on the same property but adjacent to the new center where part of the golf course it now.  The golf course will eventuallly be renovated to a nine hole executive course instead of 18 course. 
 
The inside of the new center will be state of the art.  The new structure will include one field with diminsions ?X?.  An outlet for the Arsenal Soccer Shop, space for a snack bar that will include foods like pizza, hotdogs, nachos, etc.  A pro shop for the golfers and a 19th hole that will serve alcohol will also be included.  There will be a lit outdoor field for before game warmups and practices.  The observation area for the games with bleachers will also be included in the space.  The square footage of the new center will be 27,000 square feet.
 
New changes to the way our leagues ran will also implemented.  Each team will be required to select a team color to wear for all games.  All participants in the league will be required to register before games for the season.  Player cards with pictures will be issued and checked for each and every game by the official(s).  Our new software system will allow for cards to be obtained within minutes of registering as well as portable scanners for the officials to use when determining if a player is eligible to play.  The new center will be operated completely online with computers there to allow individuals to go and register there online if access from home or work is not permitted. 
 
We know there are many questions or concerns that you have.  Please do not hesitate to email us with your thoughts.  We are always open to ideas and making your indoor soccer experience the absolute best it can be.
 
Please email us with any questions at ashevillesoccer@gmail.com