And that’s just January.

Pima County’s premier sports and entertainment venue at 2500 E. Ajo Way is gearing up for Major League Soccer spring training hosted by FC Tucson, starting Jan. 30, followed by the Desert Diamond Cup professional soccer tournament in February.

Groundskeepers have sodded infields and warning tracks to convert four baseball fields north of Ajo Way to soccer.  They’ve done the same with the field in Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium for:

• January 16 – Casino Del Sol All Star Football Game
• February 22, 25, 29, and March 3 – Desert Diamond Cup Professional Soccer Tournament

“A multipurpose venue opens tremendous opportunities,” said Chris Bartos, director of the Pima County Stadium District.  “It is not easy to transition fields from one sport to the next, especially with a limited window of time, but that’s our strength.  We have the operational expertise it takes to effectively manage back-to-back events and make sure everything looks perfect and there is a safe playing field come game day.”

Clubhouse interiors will be spruced up and painted for the teams, and new bleachers will be positioned on the field so fans can enjoy that close-to-the-action atmosphere during the sporting events.  “We encourage the community to come out and show the same support they did for the spring training baseball games,” Bartos said.

Also in January, two Korean baseball teams – the NC Dino’s and the Hanwha Eagles – have rented the south clubhouses and fields for training and conditioning of their athletes.

The Electric Park Gem Show and The Rock Show, formerly the RV Gem Show, welcome the public to the Kino Sports Complex parking lots from January 28 through February 12 for their part of the annual Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase.

The Tucson Invitational Games has registered over 20 college baseball teams from across the nation for its premier event that will run March 3-26. The Jack Howell Baseball Classic, a junior college event, is scheduled March 14-17.  Copa Budweiser, a tournament series presented by Major League Soccer and played across the country, will be here in mid-March.

Save these dates:

• The Tucson Padres will launch their second season at Kino Stadium with their season opener scheduled for Thursday, April 5.
• Fiesta de Garibaldi, a traditional re-creation of the sights and sounds of the Garibaldi Plaza in Mexico City, will feature live mariachi music and baile folklorico acts on Saturday, April 28.
• KFMA Day, an all-day concert that attracted more than 13,000 fans last year, will wrap up the month on Sunday, April 29.

Kino Sports Complex is the largest professional sports and entertainment venue of its kind in Pima County.  It includes the 11,000-seat Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, 12 baseball fields (five with lights) and lighted softball and soccer fields.  With its panoramic view of the Santa Catalina Mountains, it is a natural fit for youth, high school and collegiate sports. Plus, it makes a great setting for social gatherings, concerts, and community events. To learn more, or to schedule an event, go to www.kinosportscomplex.com or call 520-546-KINO.

Travel Routes

As you approach Kino Sports Complex, please watch for message boards indicating the preferred access lane for each event (baseball or concert).  Baseball traffic should use the main entrance at Ajo Way and Forgeus Avenue.  Concert goers please use the Country Club entrance at Milber Road.  Once cars have entered the complex, parking attendants will direct traffic to designated parking areas.  Baseball parking will be closest to the stadium while concert vehicles will be directed to park near the soccer fields.

The first baseball game (San Diego Padres Future Stars vs. Mexicali) gets under way at 4 p.m.  Game 2 starts at 7:30 p.m. sharp with Hermosillo vs. Obregón as the featured game of the night.  This three-day tournament is presented by Tucson Padres.  The KiiM FM Country Music Festival venue is the soccer fields.  The first artist is scheduled to perform at 3:30 p.m. and Dwight Yoakam takes the stage at 8 p.m for the final concert act of the evening.

Parking is free and the gates open at 2:30 p.m. for both events.  We encourage everyone to come early and follow the traffic signs to avoid delays approaching the ballpark.  Have a great time, enjoy the event and thank you for coming out to Kino Sports Complex.

Games start at 7 p.m. except on Thursday, Aug. 25, when a doubleheader starts at 6 p.m.  Gates open one hour before game time.

All college students will be admitted to the doubleheader for $4.50 with a school ID.  Former University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson will be signing books and UA items all throughout the first game and throwing out the “first pitch” for Game One.

Friday, Aug. 26, is Teacher Appreciation Night.  All southern Arizona teachers will receive a complimentary family ticket.

The last post-game Fireworks Spectacular of the season will be Saturday, Aug. 27.  For Padres tickets, call (520) 434-1367, visit www.tucsonpadres.com or visit the stadium box office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. or before each game. Parking is free.

A series of concerts, Pima Community College football games, and an international baseball tournament in September and October make Kino Sports Complex the place to be as the weather cools down.

Lil’ Jon and Rusko headline N9NE Fest – a concert for all ages – on Friday, Sept. 9, on Field 9.  They’re joined by The Eye, Silver Medallion, Protohype, DJ Abate and Soulman.  Gates open at 6:30 p.m.  Buses will run between the event and the intersection of East Sixth Street and North Euclid Avenue from 6:15 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. (passes must be purchased in advance).  Tickets, bus passes and more information are available at www.n9nefest.com.  Parking is free.

Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson bring the Xtreme Muzik Tour to Kino Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 10, with special guest Cowboy Troy.  Also appearing are Bradley Gaskin (Mr. Bartender), Greg Hanna, and Nathan Dean and The Damn Band.  The show starts at 4 p.m.; gates open at 3:30.  Tickets and more information are available at www.clickjab.com.

The 2011 KFMA Fall Ball is Sunday, Sept. 25, at Kino Stadium.  Stone Temple Pilots top a lineup that includes Staind, Chevelle, Five Finger Death Punch, Middle Class Rut, Redlight King, Falling in Reverse and Asking Alexandria.  Gates open at noon.  Parking is free.  For more information and tickets, go to kfma.com.  Tickets are also available at all Tucson-area Domino’s Pizza locations.

Pima Community College’s football Aztecs begin playing their home games at Kino Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 17.  The game against Snow College starts at 7 p.m.

Three Pacific League of Mexico teams and a team of top young players in the San Diego Padres minor league system will play doubleheaders on Oct. 7, 8 and 9 at Kino Stadium in the Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta.  Games begin at 4 p.m. on Oct. 7 and 8 and at 1 p.m. on Oct. 9.  Tickets can be purchased in person at Kino Stadium, by calling (520) 434-1367 or online via www.tucsonpadres.com.

Save the date:  The Tucson Padres return to Kino Stadium on Thursday, April 5, 2012.

Kino Sports Complex is the largest professional sports and entertainment venue of its kind in Pima County.  It includes the 11,000-seat Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, 12 baseball fields (five with lights) and lighted softball and soccer fields.  With its panoramic view of the Santa Catalina Mountains, it is a natural fit for youth, high school and collegiate sports. Plus, it makes a great setting for social gatherings, concerts, and community events. To learn more, or to schedule an event, go to www.kinosportscomplex.com.

From Friday, July 1, through Tuesday, July 5, The Baseball Legends LLC is sponsoring the Cecil Fielder Elite World Series.  This baseball tournament for youth ages 16 and under runs 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.  Admission is $5 (children under 13 are free) at the gate.  If you plan to watch a game, please use the Ajo Parking Lot (one lot west of the main stadium entrance).  Games will be played at the South Quad fields 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Freedom Festival 2011 presented by Kiim FM and Clickjab returns to Kino Sports Complex Saturday, July 2.  Parking is FREE and gates open at 3 p.m.  This year, the entertainment is better than ever with country artists Neil Russell, Ash Bowers, Sunny Sweeney, Steve Holy, and headliner Tracy Lawrence, who will take the stage from 9 to 10:15 p.m.  A fireworks finale will immediately follow the final act.  Tickets may be purchased the day of the concert, but if you buy them in advance you can save some cash (at least $10 per ticket presale).  For more information on concert ticket prices, go to www.kinosportscomplex.com/tickets.html.  This is an all-ages concert with free admission for children ages 12 and under.  If you are driving, remember that the venue has two entrances: from Ajo Way or from Country Club Road.  Folding chairs and blankets are permitted on the Soccer Fields, but coolers, backpacks, etc. are not allowed past the gate.  The entire list of permitted items is posted on the ticket website page.

On Monday, July 4, the Tucson Padres will play the Reno Aces in the Triple-A Baseball Star Spangled Spectacular at Kino Stadium.  Gates open at 6 p.m., the game starts at 7, and the parking is FREE.  The first 5,000 fans will receive a certificate for a free apple pie from McDonalds.  A professional fireworks show is scheduled immediately after the game.  Buy your game tickets today at www.tucsonpadres.com.  Wow, baseball, apple pie, and fireworks on the Fourth of July – how American is that!

Be sure to check the Kino Sports Complex calendar for other community activities and sporting events.  In September we have back-to-back concerts with N9ne Fest on Field 9 on Sept. 9 and Clickjab and KiiM FM presenting another Country Concert with Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson on Sept. 10.  Pima Community College’s Aztec home football games will be at Kino Stadium again this year, beginning Sept. 10 against Scottsdale Community College.  Other community events like Pride in the Desert, Hope Fest, and the Making Strides Against Cancer Walk are scheduled in October.

Kino Sports Complex is the largest professional sports venue of its kind in Pima County.  It includes the 11,000-seat Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, 12 baseball fields (five with lights) and lighted softball and soccer fields.  With its panoramic view of the Santa Catalina Mountains, it is a natural fit for youth, high school and collegiate sports. Plus, it makes a great setting for social gatherings, concerts, and community events. To learn more, or to schedule an event, go to www.kinosportscomplex.com.

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