Sierra Vista, Arizona (KGUN) — Sierra Vista now has soccer and track fields for community use.

Phase 2 of Schneider Electric in Sierra Vista City is nearly complete. The project includes the construction of grass soccer, baseball and softball fields off the Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway.

The city officially opened the field Wednesday night as local residents attended and children ran around the new grass field.

Local youth football organizations like Sierra Vista American Youth Football are excited to have a consistent home ground.

“It’s like home now, and it’s profitable. We have our own private home ground with spectator seating and all the amenities for the kids,” said John Kroes, one of the league’s coaches.

Laura Wilson, director of parks, recreation and library services for the city of Sierra Vista, said she and her team recognized the need for a soccer field two years ago because each league doesn’t have its own place to play. .

“When we were able to acquire this land from the Sierra Vista Unified School District, developing this soccer and track field seemed like a no-brainer,” Wilson said.

Keith Hampton Memorial Field is an all-grass field that hosts both football and soccer. The stadium also has a track, concession stands and seating for 1,700. Wilson said the track will be open to the public starting at 5:30 a.m. each morning.

“This is truly a turnkey type stadium. It is very unique to find a stadium like this in a municipality and it is very important that the stadium is available not only to Sierra Vista residents and neighbors, but to people throughout the region. I’m looking forward to it,” Wilson said. Use this. “

Part of the project is funded by grants. The installation of new irrigation and watering systems in two of his fields was funded with grants.

Wilson sees the completion of this project as a way to leave a mark on the city as a new opportunity for young people and the city.

“This is about how to pass the torch through time,” Wilson said. “It’s about learning from our own experiences and doing better for future generations. And we believe many of these facilities will be family memories for years to come.”