New field turf has been installed at the Soccer First Indoor Sports Center in Arlington. The center took on a new look and a new feel for all interested in competing in the indoor sports sessions this fall.
Owner Phil Bartlow planned the remodel and worked diligently to get the proper kind of materials. He chose an in-filled rubber turf, similar to the field turf at Quest Field or Husky Stadium.
Its a synthetic blade with crumbs of rubber on top, said Bartlow. The old astroturf was basically like playing on carpet in your house. The astroturf gave people rug burns and was a much harder surface for joints.
The blades of synthetic grass are 3 1/2 inches long, with three inches of rubber underneath.
Its a lot better for the knees and ankles, said Bartlow. It still hurts a little bit to fall down on, like it would with regular grass, but its much softer than the astroturf.
Bartlow breathed new life into the center when he purchased it.
I was looking to actually build my own facility from the ground up but that turned out to not be financially viable, he said, It would have cost about $5 million to do it that way. I had big plans to do a three field facility with full concession stands, a locker room, a large seating area.
When his original plan didnt pan out, Bartlow saw an opportunity to purchase the Arlington Indoor Center from the previous owners whose daughter Bartlow had coached at Cascade High School.
We put in the new turf, but Im not finished yet, he said. Im putting in a new concession stand. I put in new glass paneled walls.
Bartlow has been in contact with the former minority owner of the Everett Hawks arena football team to bring future training sessions to the center. He also booked the Stanwood Lacrosse Club, who will use the field to train from October until January
We put soccer lines on the turf as well as lacrosse lines, said Bartlow. We havent done anything for football yet, but we can do it later if we need to.
An indoor professional lacrosse team from Portland is looking to do a training camp at the center this October and Bartlow expects the youth arena leagues to practice in his facility.
Im also looking to do another dodgeball tournament in the Spring, said Bartlow. We had so much success with the last one. Its a great way to raise funds for the Arlington Athletic Association.
The next indoor soccer session for adults begins the week of Oct. 22 and youth leagues begin on Oct. 27. For more information contact Phil Bartlow at 360-435-7086.