Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority
Encyclopedia
The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA) is a corporate and political body having the rights, powers and immunities of a municipal corporation. It was created on April 24, 2000 by Arizona Senate
Bill 1220. The mission of the AZSTA is to build and operate a multipurpose facility
, to provide funding for tourism promotion in Maricopa County, to improve Cactus League spring training
facilities, and to build community youth and amateur sports and recreational facilities.
The AZSTA Board of Directors consists of nine citizens of Maricopa Co. who volunteer their time and accept no compensation or per diem. The Board members are appointed to five-year terms by the Governor (5), the President of the Senate (2) and the Speaker of the House (2) and are eligible to serve two terms. Board appointees are appointed to achieve a balanced representation of the Valley's regions as well as the tourism industry, Cactus League and youth sports. The daily operation of the AZSTA is overseen by the Executive Staff Members.
signed Arizona Senate Bill 1220 which created the Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority (initially known as the TSA). Later in April 2004 the Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority was renamed to the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority in order to avoid confusion with the similarly abbreviated Transportation Security Administration
.
The first order of business for the TSA was to bring a stadium financing package to voters in Maricopa County
which took the form of Arizona Proposition
302. On November 7, 2000 voters approved the ballot initiative with a 52% to 48% vote.
’s youth sports complex proposal. The TSA hosted a Youth and Amateur Sports Town Hall in April 2002. During the Town Hall the TSA formed an advisory committee and announced plans to develop existing youth and amateur sports facilities. The Advisory Committee held its first meeting in May 2002. In December 2002 the TSA approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Avondale for a 10-field complex to be completed by December 2003. In February 2003 the TSA hosted the First Annual Youth and Amateur Sports Summit. In June 2003 the TSA broke ground for the Avondale Regional Youth Sports Complex. The Youth and Amateur Sports Committee provided the TSA with recommendations, and in February 2004 the TSA approved $1.32 million for 13 projects and programs.
spring training facility. In December 2002 the City of Surprise held the grand opening of "Billy Parker Field". In February 2003 AZSTA sold $33 million of Cactus League bonds
and directed $4.3 million to a $6.4 million upgrade project for Phoenix Municipal Stadium
. The $4.3 million was presented in a commemorative check on March 26, 2003 during an Oakland Athletics
vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
game. The Phoenix Municipal Stadium project was completed in February of 2004.
AZSTA has committed $68.3 million in funding for renovations to Cactus League facilities in Scottsdale
, Tempe
, Phoenix
and Surprise
. It is estimated that over 30 years, AZSTA will contribute $205 million to the refurbishment of Cactus League facilities in Maricopa County
.
AZSTA has funded:
Upcoming Cactus League projects include a stadium in Goodyear
for the Cleveland Indians
and a stadium in Glendale
for the Los Angeles Dodgers
and the Chicago White Sox
.
Arizona Senate
The Arizona Senate is part of the Arizona Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. The Senate consists of 30 members representing an equal amount of constituencies across the state, with each district having average populations of 219,859 . Members serve two-year terms with...
Bill 1220. The mission of the AZSTA is to build and operate a multipurpose facility
University of Phoenix Stadium
University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl...
, to provide funding for tourism promotion in Maricopa County, to improve Cactus League spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
facilities, and to build community youth and amateur sports and recreational facilities.
The AZSTA Board of Directors consists of nine citizens of Maricopa Co. who volunteer their time and accept no compensation or per diem. The Board members are appointed to five-year terms by the Governor (5), the President of the Senate (2) and the Speaker of the House (2) and are eligible to serve two terms. Board appointees are appointed to achieve a balanced representation of the Valley's regions as well as the tourism industry, Cactus League and youth sports. The daily operation of the AZSTA is overseen by the Executive Staff Members.
History
On April 24, 2000 Arizona Governor Jane Dee HullJane Dee Hull
Jane Dee Hull was the second woman to serve as Governor of Arizona, the first female Republican governor of the state, and the first woman to be elected to the position.-Biography:...
signed Arizona Senate Bill 1220 which created the Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority (initially known as the TSA). Later in April 2004 the Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority was renamed to the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority in order to avoid confusion with the similarly abbreviated Transportation Security Administration
Transportation Security Administration
The Transportation Security Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that exercises authority over the safety and security of the traveling public in the United States....
.
Maricopa County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*73.0% White*5.0% Black*2.1% Native American*3.5% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.5% Two or more races*12.7% Other races*29.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
which took the form of Arizona Proposition
Initiative
In political science, an initiative is a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote...
302. On November 7, 2000 voters approved the ballot initiative with a 52% to 48% vote.
- For more information and history on the AZSTA's involvement with University of Phoenix Stadium, see University of Phoenix StadiumUniversity of Phoenix StadiumUniversity of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl...
.
Youth sports
In May 2001 the TSA approved its first youth sports project. In late September 2001 the TSA approved the City of AvondaleAvondale, Arizona
Avondale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, adjacent to Phoenix, Arizona. According to 2010 Census Bureau, the population of the city is 76,238.Avondale is the home of Phoenix International Raceway, an auto racing facility...
’s youth sports complex proposal. The TSA hosted a Youth and Amateur Sports Town Hall in April 2002. During the Town Hall the TSA formed an advisory committee and announced plans to develop existing youth and amateur sports facilities. The Advisory Committee held its first meeting in May 2002. In December 2002 the TSA approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Avondale for a 10-field complex to be completed by December 2003. In February 2003 the TSA hosted the First Annual Youth and Amateur Sports Summit. In June 2003 the TSA broke ground for the Avondale Regional Youth Sports Complex. The Youth and Amateur Sports Committee provided the TSA with recommendations, and in February 2004 the TSA approved $1.32 million for 13 projects and programs.
Spring training
In February 2002, AZSTA made its first spring training decision when it voted to increase the funding commitment for the City of SurpriseSurprise, Arizona
Surprise is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. The population was 30,848 at the 2000 census; however, rapid growth has boosted the city's population to 117,517 at the 2010 census, an increase of 281%...
spring training facility. In December 2002 the City of Surprise held the grand opening of "Billy Parker Field". In February 2003 AZSTA sold $33 million of Cactus League bonds
Bond (finance)
In finance, a bond is a debt security, in which the authorized issuer owes the holders a debt and, depending on the terms of the bond, is obliged to pay interest to use and/or to repay the principal at a later date, termed maturity...
and directed $4.3 million to a $6.4 million upgrade project for Phoenix Municipal Stadium
Phoenix Municipal Stadium
Phoenix Municipal Stadium is a baseball stadium, located in Phoenix, Arizona. The stadium was built in 1964 and holds 8,775 people. It is the spring training home of the Oakland Athletics and is one of two Spring Training facilities, run by the City of Phoenix...
. The $4.3 million was presented in a commemorative check on March 26, 2003 during an Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
game. The Phoenix Municipal Stadium project was completed in February of 2004.
AZSTA has committed $68.3 million in funding for renovations to Cactus League facilities in Scottsdale
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
, Tempe
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...
, Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
and Surprise
Surprise, Arizona
Surprise is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. The population was 30,848 at the 2000 census; however, rapid growth has boosted the city's population to 117,517 at the 2010 census, an increase of 281%...
. It is estimated that over 30 years, AZSTA will contribute $205 million to the refurbishment of Cactus League facilities in Maricopa County
Maricopa County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*73.0% White*5.0% Black*2.1% Native American*3.5% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.5% Two or more races*12.7% Other races*29.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
.
AZSTA has funded:
- $32 million to the Surprise StadiumSurprise StadiumSurprise Stadium is a baseball field located at the Surprise Recreation Campus athletic facility in Surprise, Arizona. The stadium was designed by HOK Sport, built in 2002 and holds 10,714 people. It is the spring training home of the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers and the home of the...
(Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
& Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
); - $4.3 million to Phoenix Municipal StadiumPhoenix Municipal StadiumPhoenix Municipal Stadium is a baseball stadium, located in Phoenix, Arizona. The stadium was built in 1964 and holds 8,775 people. It is the spring training home of the Oakland Athletics and is one of two Spring Training facilities, run by the City of Phoenix...
(Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
); - $12 million to Tempe Diablo StadiumTempe Diablo StadiumTempe Diablo Stadium is a baseball field located in Tempe, Arizona. It is the spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the home field for night games of the Arizona League Tempe Angels...
(Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
); - $20 million to Scottsdale StadiumScottsdale StadiumScottsdale Stadium is a baseball field located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The stadium was built in 1992 and holds 12,000 people. It is the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants...
(San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
).
Upcoming Cactus League projects include a stadium in Goodyear
Goodyear, Arizona
Goodyear is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 65,275...
for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
and a stadium in Glendale
Glendale, Arizona
Glendale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, located about nine miles northwest from Downtown Phoenix. According to 2010 Census Bureau, the population of the city is 226,721....
for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
and the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
.