One of a kind New complex in Pontiac will offer state-of-the-art soccer experience for all By Mike Moore There are other soccer facilities and indoor fields. But if George Derderian gets his way, when the Ultimate Soccer Arenas complex opens this November, there won’t be another soccer experience like it anywhere in North America. Groundbreaking for the state-of-the-art facility, located at 867 South Boulevard in Pontiac, took place July 2. Derderian, one of five owners and masterminds behind the facility, said the $15 million project will be the “ultimate experience for clubs, teams, players, coaches and families.” “There wasn’t anything we overlooked in putting this together,” said Derderian, a Bloomfield Hills resident. “We went over everything in designing and planning for this. We looked at it from the standpoint of players, coaches, officials, parents, spectators and everyone else you can think of. … It’s going to be in its own world.” The other four owners of the new facility are Thomas Korpela of Bloomfield Hills, Mack Major of Pontiac, Jon Murad of Sterling Heights and Rick Tapper of West Bloomfield. When completed, the Ultimate Soccer Arenas will be the largest indoor arena in North America, covering 266,400 square feet. A mezzanine will connect two regulation-sized fields and a third smaller field — all constructed with AstroTurf GameDay grass. “It’s not going to be a big barn,” Derderian said with a laugh. “The ceiling is going to be 82 feet high. The windows are going to look fabulous, and even when the lights are on. Because of where they are mounted and designed, you will never see a light bulb from the playing field.” Additional amenities include a strength, speed and agility training center, a soccer pro shop, team party rooms, locker rooms, a full-service restaurant and a second-floor patio viewing deck for all fields, to name a few. The complex will also be home to the Michigan Bucks of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League. According to Bucks owner Dan Duggan, the decision to call the new complex home was an easy one. “Ever since we moved to the Detroit area (from Saginaw) in 2001, we really haven’t had a permanent home,” said Duggan, whose team has played home games at various sites, including Lake Orion High, Berkley High, Troy Athens, Rochester High and Oakland University. “Everything this arena brings to the table is appealing to us. Over the course of the year, there may be up to a million people walking through there, so the exposure to the team is awesome. We’re going to sell season tickets for the first time ever, as opposed to selling all tickets at the gate. Not to mention we will finally have a place for our offices.” The only possible hang-up for the Bucks to play in Pontiac was the fact that they would have been the only team in the USL to play in an indoor stadium. But Duggan said all necessary steps have already been taken, and the MLS is on board with the entire operation. Derderian said he hopes it will also field major tournaments, college games and possibly even the Michigan High School Athletic Association state finals some day. Derderian said the idea for the complex came about when he and Murad were talking about what was lacking in the state as far as indoor facilities go. “With the growing popularity of soccer and the lack of a place like this anywhere in the state, it really was a no-brainer,” Derderian said. “Rick (Tapper) went out and found a piece of land for the design, and after that, everything has been in motion.” Derderian said schedules are already being put together for use of the fields, adding that any high school, club or travel team that may be interested should just call to find out about availability. “We’re going to fill this place up,” he said. “There’s no question about that.” For more information on Ultimate Soccer Arenas, please visit www.ultimatesoccerarenas.com or call (248) 648-7000. You can reach Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1038. |
