Councilwoman Peggy Neely's
Tatum Sun Times Column
Reach 11 Sports Complex Now Open
The impressive Reach 11 Sports Complex, a city of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department facility, is ready and now open for sports enthusiasts everywhere. This new complex is the first large-scale soccer facility of its kind in Phoenix and will provide a venue for local, regional and national competitions. Reach 11 also has a multi-use purpose for other sports including lacrosse and football.
The grand opening held on Friday, Feb. 16, was an exciting day for the community and soccer fans alike with grand opening festivities in the morning and the evening including an inaugural game featuring SC del Sol. I would like to thank our platinum sponsor of the evening, CityNorth, a development of the Thomas J. Klutznick Company; gold sponsor, Toll Brothers; and silver sponsors, Wal-Mart Stores and the Soccer Mall. I truly appreciate their financial assistance and support to make the grand opening an exciting event to showcase the new facility to elected officials, coaches, athletes and the community.
Phase One of the $16 million project includes 10 lighted soccer fields - nine turf and one synthetic grass. For the youngsters, the facility provides two playground areas and plenty of parking with 1,200 available spaces!
The city of Phoenix has been an influential part in getting this project off the ground by providing $11.5 million. The city’s Street Transportation Department, the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority and the Bureau of Reclamation came together to provide the finances for field lighting, surrounding street improvements and other important recreational elements.
The Arizona Diamondbacks and their partners have committed an additional $2.4 million for a Field of Dreams Little League venue. There will be a total of four baseball fields and two of them will be accessible by disabled youth. This is an example of the continued support and dedication of government and corporate partners coming together to create an inclusive, top-notch complex for the entire community to experience.
This isn’t all; more additions to Reach 11’s already unique complex are on the way with Phase Two. This phase will include 10 additional lighted fields and a proposed all-weather running track for all those runners out there. A fundraising campaign will make a 4,000-seat stadium possible, making Reach 11 a multi-sport recreation and competition destination unlike any other – the largest sport complex in the state.
A sports complex of this size and capability will bring our communities together to enjoy the outdoors and the excitement of sports. This premier facility will bring in people from all over the state and country adding to the city’s growing economy.
Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely represents District 2, which includes most of northeast Phoenix. She can be reached at 602-262-7445 or through e-mail at council.district.2@phoenix.gov.
