BIRTH OF AN SR SOCCER DREAM COUNTY'S FIRST INDOOR
FACILITY GROWING
Published on February 1, 1997
© 1997- The Press Democrat
BYLINE: Bruce
Meadows
Staff Writer
If you really let your imagination wander, it looks a little like
a brilliant emerald surrounded by sea of white clouds.
So green, so flat ... so dry.
But there is no denying that this is indeed a soccer field, the
first indoor soccer facility of its kind in Sonoma County.
``It really blows people away when they walk in the door,'' said
28-year-old Andrew Rowley, a successful soccer player/coach and one
of three investors in Sports City, located at 921
Piner Rd. in northwest Santa Rosa.
Sports City, which includes a 175-foot by 76-foot
indoor soccer field as well as two volleyball courts on a Sportcourt
surface, opened for business in December, a little earlier than
Rowley would have preferred.
``There was and still is work to be done,'' Rowley said. ``But it
was time for indoor leagues to start, and with the weather we had,
we wanted to get it open.''
The response, he said, has been amazing, even by Rowley's
optimistic standards.
``People walk in here and can't believe how big it is,'' he said,
explaining that indoor leagues in this area play on basketball gym
floors. ``And once they actually get out on the field, you should
see the look on their faces.''
Besides having a state-of-the-art synthetic surface with a
forgiving one-quarter inch pad beneath it, the facility is also
completely surrounded by a curved white wall, similar to what you
would find at a Major Indoor Soccer League arena.
A small pro shop will be operational within a week. There is also
a team/birthday room and snack bar.
Down the road is a possible second deck so bleachers can be
installed. Presently, there is not much room for spectators.
And way down the line, said Rowley, is the possible addition of
some kind of adult cafe, although that's on the back burner for now.
One apparent shortcoming at Sports City is a lack
of shower facilities, a problem that probably won't be solved at the
present site.
But for anybody who has searched in vain during wet weather for a
place -any place -- to practice a team for State or Association Cup
play or winter tournaments, the field is the thing, a place to get a
ball on your foot, a chance to work on moves, defense or set plays
... soccer.
``We're not really surprised because there are so many kids
playing soccer in this area on gym floors, and this surface is far
superior,'' said Rowley. ``But the adult program is taking off, too,
and we think it's going to grow.
``We're 100 percent full for leagues ... 140 teams, with all ages
and abilities.''
Rowley emphasized that recreation players should not feel left
out, that the facility is there to serve not only select and
upper-house teams.
``They should know that they can sign up as individuals and be
put on house teams in our leagues,'' said Rowley. ``The select teams
and B teams are usually taken care of, but we want any kid who wants
to play to have that chance.''
Rowley realizes that youth team demands will subside when the sun
comes out for an extended period of time. But he figures by that
time, when kids head outdoors, he'll have built a strong program of
adult leagues.
And from what he's heard so far, soccer players aren't the only
people showing an interest.
Rowley has talked to representatives for lacrosse, flag football,
fast-pitch softball, bocce ball and even an indoor putting contest
about use of the turf. The volleyball area has been eyed by
basketball, indoor tennis, karate and boxing and jazzercize groups.
Facility use is, apparently, only as limited as the imagination
of the community it serves.
Rowley was an outstanding prep soccer player at Terra Linda in
Marin County and climbed the ladder of state and regional Olympic
Development teams. He played a year at San Diego -- Eric Wynalda was
on the team -- but a series of knee injuries kept Rowley on the
sidelines.
He tried his luck in England, where he played for Sheffield
Wednesday's second-division team, but his physical problems
continued.
``My knee didn't hold up,'' said Rowley. ``I was spending too
much time on the training table.''
He ended up at Sonoma State, where he got a degree in business in
1992.
Rowley has enjoyed success as a youth coach, handling a Marin
County team -the Dixie Stompers -- for nine years, including an
Under-16 state title.
He recently spent two years in Hawaii coaching the Tsunami of the
United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues, winning the Western
Division title two years ago before losing to a Tony Meola-led New
York team in the national finals.
During a trip to the indoor nationals with his youth team, Rowley
was awed by an indoor/outdoor facility in Atlanta.
``They had a full-size indoor field like ours, but also a dozen
outdoor fields, an incredible place,'' said Rowley, adding that much
of the staffing was done by players who were part of the club.
``That's my ultimate goal here: an indoor/outdoor (lighted)
facility run on a club concept.''
Sports City occupies a 25,000-square-foot warehouse
-- Rowley said rent is about 35 cents a square foot- and it took him
two years to find the clear-span (no poles) site, which formerly
housed a lumber and drywall operation.
Rowley and his partners -- Wally Lordeaux, a Marin developer and
soccer coach; and Rick Herbert, who co-owns Sonoma Marina along with
Lordeaux -have a three-year lease with 10 one-year options, so they
may stay put a while. After all, the field alone cost $100,000.
But Rowley is always on the lookout for other sites, where he
might build his dream complex.
``We talk about building a 75,000-square-foot, double-deck
facility with a full restaurant, weight room, maybe open 24 hours,''
said Rowley. ``Who knows?''
Teams belonging to Sports City leagues get a break
on field rental. A one-hour group or team drop-in is $70 for a
league team, $85 for members renting the field for a non-registered
team and $100 per hour for non-members and non-registered teams.
Cost of individual drop-in play Monday through Friday, noon-2
p.m., is $4 for members, $8 non-members. Hewlett-Packard rents the
drop-in slot Thursdays.
Annual memberships are $10 for youth (17 and under) and $20 for
adults.
There are leagues for just about everyone, including mothers and
fathers who want to gain a better understanding of that strange
sport their kid enjoys so much. Leagues are available for
outstanding players, and for those who simply want to learn the
game, regardless of age.
There is a Little Kickers program, an eight-week session for age
groups 4-5, 6-7 and 8-9 that meet once a week for eight weeks. The
next session starts Feb. 14.
Birthday and team parties range from $100-$220, and include an
hour of field time -- for any regular activity, not necessarily
soccer -- and an hour in the party room. Cost varies based on what
is provided in terms of cake, drinks, decorations, T-shirts, etc.
Basic rules have to be followed at Sports City,
including no foul or abusive language, no outside food or drinks in
the facility, and those using the soccer facility must use balls
provided by Sports City.
Soccer rules are enforced with two-minute penalties for
infractions like boarding (knocking an opponent into the boards),
spitting, indecency toward officials or opponents, retaliation or
unsportsmanlike conduct.
No specific soccer shoes are required, but footwear must be
flat-soled with no molded cleats or black-soled shoes.
In the case of Sports City, one look is worth a
thousand words. Rowley wants players, coaches, parents -- anyone --
to check it out and judge for themselves.
``We have a lot of big plans, but we're also realistic,'' he
said. ``A lot of what we do in the future obviously depends on what
happens here this year.'' Members of under-10 teams the Blitz, left,
and the Terminators play at Sports City on Piner Road.
The stadium, Sonoma County's first indoor facility, opened in
December. There are teams for players of all ages and skill levels.
PHOTO: 2 color by Chad Surmick/Press Democrat
1 color by Annie Wells/Press Democrat MAP: b&w by Press Democrat
Graphic
1. Scotty England takes a break on sideline. (teaser A1)
2. Members of under-10 teams the Blitz, left, and the Terminators
play at Sports City on Piner Road. The stadium, Sonoma
County's first indoor facility, opened in December. There are teams
for players of all ages and skill levels.
3. Juventus' Luke Oberkirch tries to stop an unidentified Croatian
National indoor player in an exhibition game earlier this week at Sports
City won by the Croatian team, 8-3. |
