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the first couple of weeks the facility was open. "We got
a lot of members right off the bat," says Matt. "We
sold a lot of t-shirts."
Also, because everyone who entered the facility had to
sign a waiver, many names and email addresses were
stored in the database for future advertisements and
promotions. Mostly, though, Matt and his staff were
able to get the members of the community excited
about what Missoula Indoor Soccer Arena has to offer.
"My landlords are pastors–a couple of young guys in
their 30s," says Matt. "One of them loves soccer;
he plays at the arena all the time. He was pretty
influential in making it all happen."
Indoor sports can be a difficult business. The support
of the community is important. "Even when you figure
it out, It's hard to make money."
The cost of living in Missoula is not high, but leasing
is expensive–higher than in Spokane, Washington, and
other similar cities with larger populations. "Although
league fees at Missoula Indoor Soccer Arena are
half of what they are in other cities, people here are
used to playing indoor sports in a gym, where it's
free. Determining the right price for leagues is tricky.
When players learn they need to pay hundreds of
dollars for their team to play, they're shocked."
Many players do see the value, however, and when
they compliment Matt on the business and tell him
what an asset to Missoula the facility is, he knows he's
made a good decision.
