Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority facts for kids
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| corporate and political entity | |
| Founded | Phoenix (2000) |
| Headquarters | State Farm Stadium One Cardinals Drive Glendale, Arizona 85305 |
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Key people
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Tom Sadler, President and CEO Debbie Johnson, Chair |
The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA) is a special public group in Arizona. It was created on April 24, 2000, by a state law called Arizona Senate Bill 1220.
AZSTA's main goals are to:
- Build and run a large, multipurpose stadium.
- Help promote tourism in Maricopa County.
- Make Cactus League spring training baseball fields better.
- Create sports and recreation places for young people and amateur athletes in the community.
AZSTA has a Board of Directors with nine people from Maricopa County. They volunteer their time and don't get paid for their work. The Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House choose these members for five-year terms. They can serve up to two terms. The people chosen for the board represent different parts of the Valley, including tourism, the Cactus League, and youth sports. A team of staff members manages AZSTA's daily work.
How AZSTA Started
On April 24, 2000, Arizona Governor Jane Dee Hull signed a law that created the Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority. It was first known as the TSA. Later, in April 2004, its name was changed to the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA). This change happened to avoid confusion with another group called the Transportation Security Administration.
The first big task for the TSA was to get voters in Maricopa County to approve money for a new stadium. This was done through a public vote called Arizona Proposition 302. On November 7, 2000, voters approved the plan with 52% of the votes.
For more information about AZSTA's work with the stadium, you can look up State Farm Stadium.
Helping Youth Sports
In May 2001, AZSTA approved its first project to help youth sports. In September 2001, they approved a plan for a youth sports complex in Avondale.
AZSTA held a meeting in April 2002 to discuss youth and amateur sports. During this meeting, they formed a special committee. They also announced plans to improve existing sports facilities for young people and amateur athletes. This committee had its first meeting in May 2002.
In December 2002, AZSTA approved a plan with the city of Avondale for a sports complex with 10 fields. It was planned to be finished by December 2003. In February 2003, AZSTA hosted the First Annual Youth and Amateur Sports Summit. In June 2003, they started building the Avondale Regional Youth Sports Complex.
The Youth and Amateur Sports Committee gave ideas to AZSTA. In February 2004, AZSTA approved $1.32 million for 13 different sports projects and programs.
Improving Spring Training Facilities
In February 2002, AZSTA made its first decision about spring training baseball. They voted to increase money for the spring training facility in Surprise. In December 2002, the city of Surprise opened "Billy Parker Field."
In February 2003, AZSTA sold $33 million in special bonds for the Cactus League. They used $4.3 million of this money for a $6.4 million upgrade project at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. This money was given on March 26, 2003, during an Oakland Athletics vs. Arizona Diamondbacks game. The project at Phoenix Municipal Stadium was finished in February 2004.
AZSTA has promised $68.3 million to improve Cactus League facilities. These are in Scottsdale, Tempe, Phoenix, and Surprise. It is thought that over 30 years, AZSTA will give $205 million to fix up Cactus League facilities in Maricopa County.
AZSTA has provided money for:
- $32 million for Surprise Stadium (home to the Kansas City Royals & Texas Rangers).
- $4.3 million for Phoenix Municipal Stadium (home to the Oakland Athletics).
- $12 million for Tempe Diablo Stadium (home to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim).
- $20 million for Scottsdale Stadium (home to the San Francisco Giants).
Future Cactus League projects include new stadiums in Goodyear for the Cleveland Indians. Another stadium is planned in Glendale for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox.
