Lofty Goals: A Sky-High Soccer Facility in Sunset Park
SUNSET PARK – A new group of soccer-crazed entrepreneurs are looking to “disrupt” the world’s favorite game with a splashy rooftop facility in Sunset Park.
The company, Socceroof, is currently fundraising via Kickstarter in an attempt to add $150,000 towards opening their facility.
“We already have the money [to open],” said Jonathan Lupinelli, Socceroof’s general manager. “But we want to add more features and make it really special.”
The space would consist of ten small indoor fields at the top of a warehouse at 15 53rd Street. Near the water, it provides skyline views for players and fans alike.
According to a press release, the group is pursuing the “gamification” of the game of soccer with an app that will allow players to compete in leagues, track stats and connect with other players.
The envisioned facility will hold ten 80’ by 50’ fields of synthetic grass designed for “5-a-side” play. (By comparison, traditional soccer fields are nearly 400’ long and designed for 11 players per side.)
Advertising not only sessions for playing soccer, but also “VIP treatment for spectators” with rooftop cocktails and dining—accompanied by skyline views, naturally—the company still manages to stress their desire to include soccer fans from “all walks of life.”
To organize a game will cost $200/hr for 10 or more players.
Socceroof is the brainchild of Jean David Tartour, who founded LE FIVE, a similar soccer concept in France that has 30 centers in Europe.
So far, the company has raised $1,442 from 31 backers for their lofty football project, which has a Kickstarter deadline of October 19.
The company is currently negotiating permits, said Lupinelli, but they plan to be open before the end of the year.
