Wings Build Wichita's Newest Indoor Soccer Field

The Wichita Wings are pleased to announce improvements to both their home front office and training facility.

In 2019 the Wichita Wings returned to Hartman Arena and the Major Arena Soccer League behind ownership who was spearheaded by managing partner Blake Shumaker. The group quickly set up day-to-day operations with the signing of a long term lease at 5260 N Toler Dr in Bel Aire Ks (N. Webb Rd &  254 Highway), a property commonly known as Wichita Hoops. 

Wichita Hoops has been used as a multi-purpose sports facility for the last five years, allowing for year round basketball, futsal, pickleball, and volleyball. 

The Wichita Wings currently occupy a few offices, a merchandise retail store, and a handful of futsal courts which are used to train soccer players for controlled touch in limited space. With the lack of true indoor soccer facilities in the metro area and limited opportunities available to practice at Hartman Arena, the Wings are set to finish building their home practice field this week with the addition of turf and boards. 

“It’s exciting to have these upgrades to our current space,” says Shumaker. “The turf and boards only take up 3 courts so there will still be plenty of space for futsal lovers. We decided to put our focus on the turf field and community outreach that Wichita indoor soccer once had back in the 80's and 90's. We want to allow the entire soccer community to use the Wings home field.” 

Management plans to open registration for 2021 leagues and tournaments for both youth and adults as soon as December 1st, 2020. 

Shumaker says the new turf is the height and consistency of a putting green and unlike all the other turf fields in town. That is just one of the many reasons he feels the field will be an asset for soccer lovers.  

“Our field is a professional indoor field. It’s a flat and very fast surface that's different from all others in Wichita. It is basically a carpet that doesn't have infill beads added so we will not be allowing cleats to be worn on it.”

Although futsal training has helped the Wings players improve, the conditions just weren’t conducive with the necessary preparation for a professional indoor soccer game. "Dasher boards and plexiglass are a large part of the game," Says Shumaker. "The ball stays in play almost the entire game so our players really couldn't prepare for that speed of play without them." 

In addition to Wichita's newest indoor soccer field, the Wings new retail store is set to open before Christmas with special holiday hours to be announced after Thanksgiving. 

ABOUT THE MAJOR ARENA SOCCER LEAGUE

The Major Arena Soccer League represents the highest level of professional arena soccer in the world. The MASL features teams across North America, with teams playing coast-to-coast in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The MASL is currently incorporated as a 501(c)6 not for profit corporation formed to promote the business and sport of arena soccer.