WYOMING, MI — A new Wyoming facility called The UnderGRound is opening with a broad mission: to support soccer while also giving local residents a place to train, create and connect. Founders Michael Dublis and Salvatore Vilardi say the space is meant to be more than a standard sports complex.
The center is built around soccer, but it also includes boxing, basketball, breakdancing, hip-hop, fitness training, art programming and community events. The founders describe it as a place where people of different ages and backgrounds can develop skills both on and off the field.
They say the goal is to create a welcoming hub that reflects the culture around street soccer and community athletics. In their view, the facility is designed to give players a sense of ownership while opening the door to more creative forms of expression.
Founders say the space was designed around the player experience
Dublis said The UnderGRound is meant to function as what he called a “culture development lab,” rooted in street soccer and the wider game. He said the idea is not simply to rent out space for drills or competition, but to build an environment where players can shape their own experience.
He described the facility as belonging to the players, saying it should feel like a place where they can come together, improve, and enjoy themselves. That approach sets it apart, he said, from more traditional sports venues that focus mainly on games and tournaments.
Vilardi echoed that view, saying the founders wanted to build something different from the facilities already available in the area. He said they saw a gap in the local sports landscape and believed families and athletes were looking for a more complete experience.
A mix of sports, art and community programming under one roof
The UnderGRound offers a wide range of activities beyond soccer, and that variety is central to the founders’ vision. Along with athletic programming, the facility includes boxing, basketball and fitness training, giving visitors multiple ways to stay active.
It also makes room for creative outlets such as breakdancing, hip-hop and art programming. The founders say those offerings matter because they help the space feel like a community center rather than a one-sport training site.
Community events are part of the plan as well. By combining physical activity, creativity and social gatherings in one place, the facility aims to draw in both athletes and neighbors who may simply want a place to gather.
Opening comes as soccer keeps building momentum in West Michigan
The timing of the opening lines up with a period of growing interest in soccer across West Michigan. The sport has been gaining momentum in the region, and Grand Rapids is preparing for a new professional team.
AC Grand Rapids is set to begin play in MLS NEXT Pro at Amway Stadium, adding another sign that soccer is becoming more prominent locally. The UnderGRound’s founders say that rising visibility can help inspire more young players and families to get involved.
Dublis said the facility can support that growth at the grassroots level. He sees it as a place that can help fuel the sport’s expansion from the street level up, giving younger players a space to develop as interest in the game continues to spread.
Parents say the variety makes the facility useful for local families
Community members are already taking notice of what the new space offers. Parent Ulysses Campos said the mix of activities makes The UnderGRound stand out because it provides several options in one location.
Campos said the setup is convenient for families and places the facility in the center of the community it aims to serve. He said being able to do a little of both soccer and other activities makes the space feel especially accessible.
He also pointed to the wider growth of soccer in the region, saying the arrival of a bigger team and larger stadium should create more chances for children to follow the sport. For families like his, that growth adds another layer of excitement to the new facility.
A community hub meant to welcome athletes of all ages
The founders say The UnderGRound is open to everyone and is intended to become a regular gathering place for the Wyoming area and beyond. They want athletes of all ages and skill levels to feel comfortable using the space.
In their view, the facility’s role is as much social as athletic. They hope people will come to train, meet others, express themselves and build relationships that last beyond a single game or workout.
That broader purpose is part of what they say will help the center contribute to soccer’s growth throughout West Michigan. By combining sport, art and community activity, they believe The UnderGRound can become a place where local energy around the game continues to build.
