This letter to the editor is in the June 23-29 issue of the Tucson Weekly at http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/mailbag/Content?category=1063730:

Dave Devine’s story (“Taxes and Timing,” Currents, May 26) about the need for fields and facilities for youth sports in Pima County didn’t mention the county’s premier sports venue that is a perfect fit for youth, high school, college and adult sporting events: Kino Sports Complex.

Too often, Kino Sports Complex’s resources are not fully utilized, in part because we need to do a better job of telling the community they’re available. So this is an attempt to do just that. We don’t have to wait for the election mentioned in the column to put these beautiful fields and facilities to work for youth and amateur sports.

In addition to the 11,000-seat Kino Memorial Stadium, where the Tucson Padres play almost every other week through Aug. 28, the sports complex has 12 full-sized baseball fields (five with lights); two quad observation towers with snack bars; three practice infields; two indoor batting cages; two outdoor batting cages; one underground batting tunnel; a major/minor league clubhouse; a another separate major league clubhouse and minor league clubhouse; two lighted soccer fields; two lighted softball fields; and four separate parking lots, all spread over 155 acres.

We were disappointed when major league baseball relocated to a new stadium. While our main objective is major league spring training baseball, we must continue to manage the facility and capitalize on its immense opportunities.

The fields were well-utilized during the spring training season. Activities included the Arizona Diamondbacks sixth annual Fantasy Camp; Under Armour’s baseball tournament that drew high school players and pro scouts from across the country; and tournaments hosted by Sahuaro, Catalina and Salpointe Catholic high schools. Coming in July, The Baseball Legends group will host the Cecil Fielder Elite World Series, and the Kino Baseball League will host the Arizona State Babe Ruth Tournament. Also, Pima Community College will play its home football games at Kino Stadium again this year.

But the complex is truly a multi-use facility. The KFMA Day concert on May 7 drew nearly 14,000 people. The Freedom Fest Concert is on July 2, and plans are under way for five more concerts to round out the year. Besides the concert lineup, we have community events such as the Hope Fest, and the Making Strides Against Cancer walk scheduled in October.

A calendar of events is posted at www.kinosportscomplex.com. For more information, call 434-1011.

Chris Bartos, director, Pima County Stadium District

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