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Ross Mason photo

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, left, next to his cardboard cutout, was on hand for the Grand Opening of the Reach 11 Sports Complex last Friday. Also shown, l‑r, Councilwoman Peggy Neely, soccer professionals Shannon McMillan and Eric Wynalda, Arizona Youth Soccer Association President Petar Draskin and Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority CEO Ted Ferris.
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Kickoff! Premier public sports complex opens
by Kathleen Stinson

NORTH VALLEY – The multi‑ million dollar Reach 11 Sports Complex officially opened Friday and hosted 350 soccer teams from across the country at its first annual Presidents’ Day Tournament over the weekend.

A city of Phoenix vision, the 80‑acre complex, when fully developed, will be one of the best venues of its kind in the western U. S., according to city officials.

“The sports complex is exciting for so many reasons,” said Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. “The complex is about kids and families, the great quality of life here, and our values as a city.”

Phase I , at a cost of $16 million, opened with 10 lighted soccer fields, along with 1,200 parking spaces and an office/restroom building, as well as a playground and shaded ramada area. One of the 10 fields is made of synthetic turf, with accessible viewing areas and spectator seating; the other nine fields are natural turf.

Phase II at completion will contain 10 lighted natural‑turf soccer fields, a proposed all‑weather running track, a maintenance facility, including equipment storage and office, and a restroom and permanent concession facility. Estimated to be fully completed in the fall of 2008, Reach 11 will be the largest soccer complex in Arizona.

Voters approved $11 million in 2006 bond money to pay for Phase II.

Phase I was funded largely by the city–$11.5 million of the $16 million cost. Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority provided a $2 million grant to light the (Phase I) soccer fields, and the Phoenix Streets Department contributed another $2 million to complete the Deer Valley Road extension leading into the complex.

“Soccer is one of the fastest growing sports in the country,” said Rob Harman, facility supervisor for the city Parks and Recreation Department. “Arizona is a real hotbed for youth and adult soccer. The growth of soccer in the city has been tremendous, and in particular in the North Valley.

“The complex will give us the opportunity to host national soccer events,” Harman continued. “The number of teams attending the tournaments from out of state will provide a strong economic benefit to the city of Phoenix.”

The Arizona Diamondbacks organization plans to break ground on a Little League venue in the near future, according to Harman. The facility, scheduled for completion in September, will contain some of the best baseball fields in the country for people with disabilities. The surface of two of the four fields will be composed of a resilient, rubberized turf for handicapped athletes using mobility aides, as well as those with limited mobility.

The sports center is located north of the Central Arizona Project, with entry to the complex at the intersection of Cave Creek and Deer Valley roads.

Situated in the northeast corner of a 1,300‑acre federal recreation area, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation agreed to allow Phoenix Parks and Recreation to develop the complex on the property. The name is derived from the federal designation of the property, Reach 11, Harman said.

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