Community Corner
East Coast United Relocates to Fairfield's Sportsplex
Martial arts studio, founded by former Westport resident, moves from Post Road in Fairfield to new home in major sports complex.
Former Westport resident and captain of the Staples High School wrestling and football teams, Joe Oppedisano, reopened his East Coast United martial arts school in a new space at Sportsplex@Fairfield yesterday.
The martial arts school still offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, self-defense boxing, ultimate fitness, cardio kickboxing, muay thai and personal training. But now it’s in the heart of what has become Fairfield’s fitness zone.
“For anything to do with sports, this is the place,” Oppedisano said in an interview Monday as he was putting the finishing touches on the studio, just in time to open the doors for a 4 p.m. class. “It’s all about location.”
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At 2,400-square-feet, the new facility, in the 85 Mill Plain Road sports campus, is the same size as its former location on the Post Road. However, unlike the old space, parking isn’t a problem now. That’s important because it will make it easier for Oppedisano to start classes on time.
"I thought being on the Post Road was everything," he said. "But being here, and having access to the field house, is huge. There's so much foot traffic here."
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Being in the Sportsplex complex also means that he can coordinate classes with other fitness outlets. For example, while toddlers take a class at the Field House, their mothers can take a self-defense class at East Coast United.
Oppedisano has performed at the highest level at competitions like the Pan-American, Naga and BJJ World Championships. Now he is molding young talent into regional, state and national champions.
