A new Roots Athletic Center will offer both in-door and out-door soccer play when it opens on Roots Road in October.

The estimated $7 million complex is the latest expansion project for Kari and Frank Demarinis who own and operate the nearby Roots Aquatics and Fitness Center, Roots Learning Center and Roots Gymnastics.

The new sports complex is under construction at 181 Roots Rd.. It will feature three in-door and two out-door turf fields along with a professional quality track. Outdoor fields are expected to be ready for play before the October opening of the entire complex.

The center will also serve as home for the Roots Soccer League, a travel league for competitive soccer play for youngsters ages 6 - 14. The owners, along with general manager Ryan Lavner and program director Jason Blunt will offer soccer programs for recreational play as well as competition. They are also setting their sights on creation of a Roots Lacrosse Academy at the center.

Kari Demarinis said "Roots Athletic Center is a natural fit since we started in 2008 with our gym that provides programs for youth sports." That was followed by the opening of Roots Learning Center in 2013 and Roots Aquatics and Fitness Center in 2015.

"We are creating options for young soccer players for recreational as well as college and professional recruitment," said Lavner. The Roots Soccer League will affiliate with FC Satrs West a premeire youth soccer league, the general manager added.

Blunt said the center and its staff will "take kids and help them grow emotionally and socially as well as the sports training."

The center has already attracted 12 youth soccer programs from surrounding towns to participate in the new league. That involves 140 teams and 2,000 youngsters ready for play when the center opens.

City Council president Brent B. Bean II called the new facility an economic boom for Westfield.

"This will give Westfield an economic shot in the arm," Bean said. "It will bring people into Western Massachusetts and especially Westfield. Our hotels and motels and restaurants will be the least to benefit from the sports facility," he said.

The center will have a retractable roof, offer indoor cycling, stadium style sky boxes for spectators, conference facilities and other amenities.

Its parking lot will accommodate 220 vehicles.

 

Source : masslive.com

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