The landscape of Tucson soccer will soon have a significant landmark to go with its rising visibility.
FC Tucson and Pima County unveiled plans Wednesday for a 2,000-seat soccer stadium to be built at Kino Sports Complex North. The venue, which will include a partially covered grandstand that seats 1,600 to 1,800, was designed by Swaim Associates Architects, a local company. Construction is scheduled to be completed by October.
It will be built on the complex's North Field No. 1 and is part of a $2.8 million investment by the county. The project includes a new entrance to the Kino North facilities, a sixth soccer field, a new scoreboard and improvements to Kino Stadium.
The money will come from the $5 million that the Chicago White Sox paid to end their Kino Stadium contract and move to Glendale five years ago, said county administrator Chuck Huckelberry.
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The stadium will be used for Major League Soccer spring training as well as for FC Tucson, a USL Premier Development League team, and other events.
"The upgrade of this facility is extremely important to attracting these events," said Greg Foster, one of FC Tucson's managing partners. "It's a community asset. (The improvements are) a significant step up … and it's going to make Kino Sports Complex a unique facility in the Southwest."
Ten MLS teams are training in Tucson this spring at the Kino facilities, which will host 17 games involving the clubs.
