Next stop, MARTA’s West End station.
Two brand new FieldTurf pitches. And, LED lights, lighting so that games and players can go long into the night.
Soccer in the Streets is the engine behind the second field installation adjacent to a MARTA station -- the first field opened at the Five Points station in October 2016. The concept is to enable urban youngsters (ages 6 to 18) to play on the 99-by-66 foot artificial turf fields free of charge, with fees from players in adult leagues partly financing the project.
The two pitches at West End will be separated by the elevated MARTA tracks. It’s a place where Soccer in the Streets brings together players of all ages and skill levels hard by the clickety-clack of the elevated trains. The program has attracted attention across the MARTA system, with plans to expand at up to 10 more locations in the coming years.
What began as a collaboration between Soccer in the Streets, Atlanta United of Major League Soccer, the City of Atlanta and MARTA, has now drawn support from companies including FieldTurf (a maker of artificial turf headquartered in Montreal).
FieldTurf, which is dedicated to innovation, performance, durability, and safety, has emerged as the de facto standard in artificial playing surfaces around the world with the installation of sustainable fields that receive heavy use and are often in places with challenging climates. The turf is manufactured in Calhoun, Ga., which is not far from the company’s installation at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the home of Atlanta United and the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL.
“We have partnered with Soccer In The Streets to help increase participation in youth athletics and unite communities around the sport,” said Eric Daliere, President of FieldTurf. “We are proud to be the official playing surface for Soccer In The Streets, and help elevate Atlanta’s soccer culture with safe and sustainable fields across the city.”
With more than 20,000 installations worldwide, FieldTurf has made a commitment to the community initiative near its manufacturing facility -- and to Soccer in the Streets’ philosophy of increasing participation among urban youth in the greater Atlanta area.
Sanjay Patel, Director of Strategic Projects at Soccer in the Streets said,“FieldTurf has been a great project partner for us as we look to grow the Station Soccer project across the city. Through collaboration with partners who believe in our vision, we are able to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.”
