Chandra Burleson, Dan McKee and K. MacArthur Coates.
Cranston, RI Carpionato Group has opened New England’s first Topgolf sports and golf entertainment facility located at 120 Sockanosset Cross Rd. This 68,000 s/f project is the 91st Topgolf facility worldwide and will allow for 500 playmakers to participate at any given time. Combined with Carpionato’s redevelopment of the former Citizens Bank building, it will be a major contributor to the local economy, creating new jobs and providing hundreds of thousands of dollars yearly in taxes to the city.
“Topgolf’s entry to Rhode Island is about more than just sport and leisure, it is about helping to build our economy,” said MacArthur Coates, president and CEO of Carpionato Group. “Topgolf is a destination attraction that will encourage both convention business to Rhode Island, and it will also serve as a place where business people collaborate, innovate and make deals over shared experiences. In deciding how to repurpose this property on Sockanosset Cross Rd., we deliberately looked for a partner that would differentiate Rhode Island, would help to grow business in our state, and create ancillary spending and new jobs within the West Bay where we have so many investments. We are confident we have the right partner to accomplish our goals. The project brings in major tax dollars to Cranston and the state of Rhode Island and produces terrific employment – in terms of compensation and the total number of positions. State and city officials worked to make this happen – hats off to them for helping us to secure the 1st Topgolf in New England.”
As part of the 100 Sockanosset project, Carpionato Group also worked closely with the RI Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration and the city for the reconstruction of the eastern section of Rte. 37, which included a frontage road at Pontiac Ave.
“This is an exciting day in Rhode Island as we mark the opening of Topgolf here in the Ocean State,” said governor Dan McKee. “This venue will bring a new era of entertainment and leisure activities to Rhode Island, promising not only a fun opportunity for families and friends, but also jobs and economic growth for the community. I would like to thank the Carpionato Group, mayor Hopkins and the entire City of Cranston for their work to bring Topgolf to our state. As an avid golfer myself, I can’t wait to try it out.”
The Sockanosset project also required extensive review and permitting by the city and Coates noted mayor Ken Hopkins played a pivotal role in that process while on the city council and as mayor.
“We could not be more excited for Topgolf RI to open its doors in Cranston,” mayor Hopkins said. “This will be the greatest sports and family entertainment venue to hit the state since the closing of Rocky Point.”
This Topgolf facility joins other first in Rhode Island outlets at Carpionato properties along Sockanosset Cross Rd., including Chapel View. These include REI, Good Feet, Ideal Image, Omaha Steaks, Orange Theory, Pure Barre, CAVA, Metro Mattress and Wayback Burger.
“Topgolf’s decision to open their first New England location adjacent to Chapel View is testament to the vision my husband Alfred Carpionato had for this great city. His focus was to transform Cranston into the premier location to live, work and play, to strategically develop the ultimate lifestyle city” said Sheryl Carpionato, a trustee of Carpionato Group. “I remember the day Alfred and my stepson Domenic Carpionato laid out the plans right on our kitchen island for this highly anticipated venue. And here we are today celebrating this amazing milestone for Topgolf and Carpionato Group. To see our family’s legacy continue on brings me great joy.”