April 17th Pima County Meeting

UnionFreak1 · Apr 11, 2012

Be there.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/202663529849350/

Tucson_soccer_fan · Apr 11, 2012

UnionFreak1 said: ↑

Be there.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/202663529849350/
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This meeting will decide the fate of the FC Tucson home field at Kino Sports Complex. It is very important that we show as much support as possible for this.

gilmoreaz · Apr 11, 2012

UnionFreak1 said: ↑

Be there.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/202663529849350/
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Arizona Youth Soccer Association (AYSA) will be there to support this effort... Good Luck!

UnionFreak1 · Apr 16, 2012

An update from owners Greg Foster and Chris Keeney.

"Arizona Soccer Supporters,

Next Tuesday, April 17th is a very important day for the future of FC Tucson and soccer in Tucson. The Pima County Board of Supervisors will be voting on a proposal to permanently convert the five baseball fields at Kino North into soccer fields.

Here are the meeting details: Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 9:00am in the First Floor Hearing Room at the Pima County Administration Building, 130 West Congress.

"We will be on the Pima County Board of Supervisors agenda Tuesday, April 17th. We are proposing a partnership between FC Tucson, Pima County and Kino Sports Complex to permanently convert five training fields at the North end at Kino Sports Complex from baseball to soccer. We would also assume a tenancy inside the Old Diamondbacks Clubhouse which would allow us to provide a very high standard of quality for our staff, coaches, players, sponsors and fan base. The remaining seven training fields South of Ajo and the Kino Veteran's Memorial Stadium would remain baseball fields.

Bleachers would be installed at the lighted Field 5 to host approximately 2,000 seats and provide an authentic, high-energy experience to a select group of the most passionate soccer fans. This location would become the new home field for FC Tucson, as we launch our first season in the United Soccer League’s Premier Development League. Our first home match Sat. May 19th @ 7:00 PM. Ticket Information is Coming Soon! We believe that this facility will be a significant advantage in becoming a serious contender for the PDL League title every year. The complex will play a major role in attracting excellent players from around the nation and providing them with a first-class training environment as well as offering an intimidating stadium atmosphere for our opponents. It should be clearly conveyed that we intend to evolve into a professional team and will rise as far as our fan base and average attendance dictates.

The partnership with the County would also put us in position to expand and improve the amenities that we offer to Major League Soccer as an annual destination for pre-season training. FC Tucson could host as many as ten MLS teams over a two month period culminating with the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup, which recently hosted over 30,000 fans. Finally, the collaboration with Pima County will allow us to provide high quality fields to local youth and adult soccer organizations like PCJSL, AYSA, AYSO, TMSL, TWSL, La Liga de Menlo Park y La Liga de Southern Arizona as well as allow FC Tucson to develop supplemental youth training programs, camps, clinics, tournaments and more.” -FC Tucson Managing Member, Greg Foster.

As you can see, it’s highly beneficial to the sport of soccer at every level in Tucson for this vote to pass favorably. If you love the beautiful game, please join us starting at 9:00 AM to urge the County Supervisors to vote in favor of partnering with FC Tucson. If you can’t attend in person, take a moment to write your County Supervisor and the Sports Editor at the Arizona Daily Star and let them know that you support us in our vision for soccer in Tucson, Pima County and the entire state of Arizona.

Thank you for your support past, current and future. -FC Tucson Managing Member, Chris Keeney."
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Ted Lyons · Apr 17, 2012

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/gov...cle_7e786041-e34b-52ca-abf9-352c086f0f25.html

Thanks to everyone who made it to the BOS meeting!

UnionFreak1 · Apr 17, 2012

Here's two more articles, written after the board meeting.

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/JoseGarciaSoccer/159920

http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/sport...give-tucson-soccer-club-home-field-advantage/

Tucson_soccer_fan · Apr 18, 2012

Here is a link to the broadcast on KGUN 9
http://www.kgun9.com/news/local/147843655.html

kenntomasch · Apr 18, 2012

Your elected officials down there certainly are to be commended for being forward-thinking and not buying into the old "Soccer? What do we need soccer for?" meme.

Kudos. Good luck.

Justin Z · Apr 18, 2012

Absolutely agree. One of the few things Tucson politicians have gotten right in the past 100 or so years.

Macsen · Apr 23, 2012

So if I'm reading this right, FC Tucson is going to get use of Field 5 North, in what Google Maps/Earth calls Sam Lena Recreation Area, and the adjacent clubhouse. Nice that they can do a permanent conversion there.

It would be cool if they pulled off switching all the north fields permanently to soccer/football pitches. There are plenty of baseball fields on the south side of the complex anyway.

UnionFreak1 · Apr 23, 2012

Orlando Rays said: ↑

So if I'm reading this right, FC Tucson is going to get use of Field 5 North, in what Google Maps/Earth calls Sam Lena Recreation Area, and the adjacent clubhouse. Nice that they can do a permanent conversion there.

It would be cool if they pulled off switching all the north fields permanently to soccer/football pitches. There are plenty of baseball fields on the south side of the complex anyway.
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As long as next year's Desert Cup is successful, that's the plan. The good news is they're removing the clay from the four infields. That way, its much easier to plant temporary grass down. Won't slip and slide (as it did this year.)