The public is invited by the city of Phoenix’s Parks and Recreation Department and Councilwoman Peggy Neely, District 2, to join in the festivities this Friday, Feb. 16, symbolizing the grand opening of the Reach 11 Sports Complex located at 2425 E. Deer Valley Road. During the activities, some renowned athletes will help celebrate the day by attending the ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. as well as the evening inaugural game at 6:30 p.m.

The athletes include Shannon MacMillan, a 1996 Olympic gold medalist and member of the 1999 World Cup winning U.S. Women’s National team and Eric Wynalda, the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. Men’s National Team and who also scored the first goal in Major League Soccer in 1996.

"I am very excited to announce the grand opening of a sports complex unlike any other in the state of Arizona - the Reach 11 Sports Complex,” said Neely, “The participation of our partners, including our athletes and representatives from Congressman John Shadegg’s office, are all prime examples of the heightened interest and positive impact athletics provide youth and adults alike,” said Neely.

The facility would not have been possible without the support of the city’s federal partner, the Bureau of Reclamation, regional partners, Central Arizona Project and the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, and Phoenix voters, who approved $11.5 million in the 1999 bond program.

In addition, special thanks extended to the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, which is providing the funding to create handicap-accessible sports grounds that will truly be a Field of Dreams to boys and girls across the region.

Councilwoman Neely would also like to acknowledge the sponsors of the evening grand opening festivities – the Thomas J. Klutznick Company, Toll Brothers, Wal-Mart and Soccer Mall.