Mosaic Quarter to Revolutionize Tucson’s Sports Landscape with 2027 Debut

Tucson is on the brink of a new era in sports and recreation as construction begins on its latest project, the Mosaic Quarter. This has been made official following the groundbreaking ceremony held on November 20, which included attendance from Tucson’s mayor, Regina Romero, and the University of Arizona’s athletic director, Desireé Reed-Francois.

The Mosaic Quarter promises to be a landmark facility, featuring three ice rinks and a versatile field house that will cater to basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and football. The initial phase is projected to open its doors by 2027 and will also include space for up to four restaurants and a solar farm to power the complex. The construction is entirely financed by private investors, as emphasized by Francis Knott Jr., senior managing director of Mosaic Quarter Development, who confirmed that there are no public funds involved.

Located strategically south of Interstate 10 and adjacent to the Pima County-owned Kino Sports Complex, the project aims to address a pressing need in Tucson. Currently, the lone ice rink in the area is a temporary setup at the Tucson Convention Center, which is shared among various teams, including the Tucson Roadrunners and the University of Arizona hockey teams.

As ice hockey gains popularity in the region, the single rink fails to accommodate the growing number of players. With over 300 individuals spread across 23 teams in the Tucson Adult Hockey League and a waiting list in place, the demand for additional ice facilities is evident. Co-founder Danny Plattner predicted the potential for doubling the number of teams once the new complex opens.

The introduction of dedicated ice rinks is expected to enhance opportunities for youth engagement in skating and hockey. Dave Honecker, president of the Tucson Junior Roadrunners, expressed optimism that the new facility will allow children to learn skating at an earlier age, fostering a more vibrant sporting community.

Crucially, the facility will serve as the main venue for the University of Arizona’s men’s and women’s hockey teams, who will benefit from a dedicated space that addresses the current lack of practice facilities. Coach Chad Berman pointed out that scheduling conflicts stemming from the limited current ice time hinder the team’s performance.

In a positive move for local sports, Tucson will also host the 2025 World Baseball Classic qualifiers, an event initially scheduled for 2020 before being postponed due to the pandemic. Edgar Soto, vice president of Pima Community College’s Desert Vista campus, is enthusiastic about the resurgence of sports in Tucson, emphasizing the city’s commitment to building facilities that promote athletic endeavors.

The Mosaic Quarter is poised not only to serve local teams but to attract tournaments and sporting events from across the country, maximizing the economic benefit through hotel occupancy and tourism. Nick Pazzi, director of sports for Visit Tucson, underlined the intentions of the facility to become a venue for diverse events, further enriching Tucson’s sporting landscape.

Overall, the Mosaic Quarter signifies a transformative step for Tucson, reinforcing its status as a sports town and aiming to rejuvenate the community’s love for sporting culture.