Goals Soccer Center Chooses California Ultimate Turf to Install 80,000 Sq Feet of TigerTurf for 11 Fields at First U.S. Facility

04/06/2010

California Ultimate Turf (CUT), an authorized representative of TigerTurf Americas, has completed the installation of 80,000 square feet of TigerTurf’s advanced XP40 artificial turf product at the first U.S. Goals Soccer Center which is expected to open in early June in Los Angeles. 

Goals Soccer Centres is the United Kingdom’s largest five-a-side soccer program. The Los Angeles facility will be accessible to people of all skill levels and ages who want to play five-a-side soccer. The new U.S. Goals Soccer Center complex is situated on 3.5 acres and also includes a player-guest lounge, locker rooms, batting cages, and parking lot.

Les Allan, president and chief executive officer of Goals Soccer Center operations in the U.S. explained that he chose California-based CUT to construct 11 fields and complete the turf installation with TigerTurf’s XP40 product after an extensive evaluation of artificial turf options, visits to numerous TigerTurf installations, discussions with soccer players, and even kicking a soccer ball himself across several TigerTurf fields. Allan’s personal research also included evaluating a TigerTurf field in the midst of a major rainstorm.

“Our mission is to bring unique programming to Goals Soccer Centers to meet the varied needs of the Southern California soccer community,” added Allan. “From the creation of five-a-side leagues to youth tournaments to clinics, and everything in between, players of all skill levels and ages will have a reason to visit our facility and play the game loved around the world.”

The 11 fields are each 33 yards by 22 yards and designed for around five players per team, leading to fast-paced action that uses a regulation size soccer ball and smaller goals. Similar sized fields are popular around the globe and some of the world’s greatest soccer athletes that will be playing in South Africa this summer honed their skills playing five-a-side soccer.

“The team at California Ultimate Turf was very impressive and very professional. They won me over,” Allan said.  “Our new Goals Soccer Center in Los Angeles is the best facility of its kind in the United States. Because it is truly a world class facility, I was not willing to compromise on the quality of the turf. I wanted the best turf available.”

Allan pointed to these key factors in the selection of TigerTurf XP40:

The quality of play

“Without question, TigerTurf was No. 1. I could look at the players after they played on a TigerTurf field and clearly see that they had a good experience.  Based on my own experience as a soccer player, I want a field that plays evenly, consistently and is forgiving on my body,” Allan commented.

Durability

“TigerTurf could withstand high usage. We don’t want to have to replace the turf any time soon,” said Allan.

Ease of maintenance

“This was important to us because it reduces time, labor and costs,” Allan noted.

“All of us on the California Ultimate Turf team are excited about our role in developing what is the first five-a-side soccer facility in the U.S.  The Goals Soccer Center will provide significant recreational opportunities for so many in the Los Angeles area and we’re thrilled that TigerTurf is the surface of choice,” said Doug Coulter, CUT president.
Goals Soccer Center purchased TigerTurf’s XP40 product, which is made of material that is more resilient than regular tape yarns. Instead of lying flat like other tape yarns when it is played upon, XP40 twists to form an attractive and highly playable turf surface. .Because XP40 does not split it is the preferred choice for high use fields. Key benefits of XP40 include:

• Great playability: the surface retains its evenness and “natural” ball roll after extensive use
• Superior durability: does not split under intensive use
• Excellent tuft bind: the yarn is well rooted into the turf system so the synthetic turf blades are not lost
• Better resilience than any other tape yarn
• Much better appearance than other turf tape yarns
• Holds infill in place, reducing infill splash, bumps and pot-holes
• The perfect choice for high use fields indoor or outdoor

“We’re honored to be part of what is expected to be the first of many of these centers in the Americas. Like California Ultimate Turf, TigerTurf Americas takes pride in helping our customers to develop facilities for healthy, enjoyable recreation,” said Charles Fleishman, TigerTurf Americas chief sales officer.

View KTLA Channel 5 television in Los Angeles coverage.