BizSPORTS
Major Expansion at Kino Sports Complex By Steve Rivera
Hearing about new expansion plans for the Kino Sports and Entertainment Complex, Danny Plattner said he believes Tucson hockey may have found a home – a much-needed one. “We are very excited about the Kino South project,” said Plattner, co-founder of the Tucson Adult Hockey League. “There is a great demand for adult hockey in Southern Arizona. Our numbers will significantly grow once the ice time is available. Players will be able to join multiple teams and we plan to add learn-to-play programs for adults and more divisions.” Sports fans from near and far will soon be able to enjoy a state-of-the-art, multi-amenity facility that Southern Arizona families, club sports groups and youth tournament organizers have 224 BizTucson
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Fall 2021
long needed. It will be located south of Interstate 10 and east of Kino Parkway. “People have been very positive,” said Carmine DeBonis Jr., Pima County deputy county administrator for public works. “As the information has spread, we’ve been doing a lot of outreach to a variety of different parties. Others expressed a great deal of interest and excitement.” Rightly so, given the scope of the complex expansion that is expected to break ground as soon as September 2022. The expansion, which is proposed to have a $7 billion regional economic impact, will include an 86,000 squarefoot ice complex that will accommodate hockey, figure skating and ice sports; a 130,000-square-foot field house with
eight full-sized basketball courts, that can be converted to 16 volleyball courts, and eight indoor lacrosse surfaces. An 8,500-seat stadium for sports and concerts is also planned. Construction of the elements will be phased in with full completion slated for 2026. Also envisioned are three hotels, retail and dining space, multi-family housing and a medical complex. The new addition will span an additional 90 acres to complete the more than 300 total acres that the entire Kino Sports and Entertainment Complex will occupy. “It increases the attractiveness of the venue,” DeBonis said of the project. “You can dine and shop there. It is to be a one-stop (facility) to attract and retain participants at the complex.” continued on page 226 >>> www.BizTucson.com
IMAGE COURTESY KINO SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX
Stadium, Ice Rinks, Basketball Courts in the Plans
