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Coco Warner reporting Big news for soccer players and fans! Utah's largest indoor soccer field officially opened its doors today, but the location may surprise you.
Normally known for its indoor, winter sports, the Utah Olympic Oval is now hoping to attract new business from the outdoor, summer set.
There are your standard ribbon cutting ceremonies, and then there are the grand-opening ceremonies more appropriate for a new indoor soccer field.
Of course, using soccer balls instead of scissors, this sign needed a few more tries before coming down.
Dedicated by members of the Utah Blitz Professional soccer team, the facility shouldn't have a problem finding a fan-base.
Shane Curran/Utah Olympic Oval Soccer Coordinator: "IT'S AN INDOOR FACILITY THAT'S GOING TO BE USED FOR ADULT LEAGUES THAT ARE COMPETITIVE AND NON-COMPETITIVE, WITH RECREATION AS WELL AS YOUTH LEAGUES. AND THERE'S GOING TO BE, IT'S GOING TO BE ACTUALLY THE OFFICIAL TRAINING CENTER FOR THE UTAH BLITZ DURING THE WINTER TIME."
So organizers are rolling out the green carpet as an open invitation to the public. Come and enjoy the constant 65 degree temperatures, whether you want to escape summer's heat, or eventually, winter's chill.
Nick Thometz/Utah Olympic Oval General Manager: "REALLY, THE THREE MAIN USER GROUPS, FOOTBALL , SOCCER AND LACROSSE, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF RESPONSE, SO WE EXPECT DURING THE WINTER IT WILL BE VERY BUSY IN HERE, WE HOPE EVERYDAY, BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE WEEKENDS IT WILL BE BOOKED SOLID."
At 100 by 200 feet, the standard size of an international hockey arena, this now becomes Utah's largest indoor soccer field.
Shane Curran/Utah Olympic Oval Soccer Coordinator:"WHENEVER ANYBODY WALKS IN IT'S JUST, WOW THIS PLACE IS AMAZING, I GUESS THE INDOOR FACILITIES THAT MOST OF THE GUYS HAVE BEEN TO-- DON'T REALLY COMPARE TO THIS."
And that's what the Utah Olympic Oval is banking on... the extra business and new traffic the field could bring. Hoping if you build it, people will come.
