Indoor Soccer Arena to Debut--Outdoors

Ventura County’s first open-air stadium for soccer will debut Wednesday in Camarillo.

Practice sessions for more than 30 teams are scheduled to begin Wednesday, a men’s tournament will begin Nov. 28 and league play Dec. 1.

Although the stadium game is technically called indoor soccer--a variation on conventional soccer--it is played outdoors. The open-air stadium is similar to a hockey arena with boards 4 to 8 feet high around the perimeter.

The stadium was approved by the city in January after initial concerns among residents about noise and traffic were allayed.

The stadium is about 10 feet below the grade of Camarillo Springs Road, with seating for about 100 spectators.

Registration will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends at 795 Camarillo Springs Road.

Steve Genovese, a partner in the company that built the facility, has more than 30 leagues set up with divisions ranging from coed to over-40.

Team registration is $600, or individual players can sign up for $60 and be placed on teams. The season includes eight weeks plus playoffs.

Genovese and his partner, Tom Brady, both Los Angeles County firefighters, hope to open another arena in Simi Valley next year.

For more information, call (800) 979-1910.