| ITEM #: 8. DATE: 03/24/2025 AI #:2503 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | FY2026 ARIZONA SPORTS & TOURISM AUTHORITY (AZSTA) BIENNIAL GRANT APPLICATION |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Christina Panaitescu, Community Partnerships Program Manager |
SUMMARY
The Goodyear Parks and Recreation Department desires to submit an application requesting $250,000 through the FY2026 Arizona Sports & Tourism Authority (AZSTA) Biennial Grant program to support the installation of lighting improvements at the ballfields at Goodyear Community Park, beginning on or after July 1, 2025.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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RECOMMENDATION
FISCAL IMPACT
If selected for funding, the Goodyear Parks and Recreation Department will absorb the grant match (up to $125,000) as part of their FY26 budget.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
Since 2000, the Arizona Sports & Tourism Authority (AZSTA) has awarded approximately 600 grants at an estimated $32 million to organizations that promote youth and amateur sports in Maricopa County. The Youth & Amateur Sports (YAS) grants goal is to identify, solicit, develop, and allocate funding for YAS projects within Maricopa County, which will service a wide variety of sporting and physical activity experiences. If awarded, AZSTA will match two-thirds of a project's total cost up to a maximum of $250,000.
Goodyear Community Park sees over 280k visits annually and features three (3) highly utilized ballfields that have been providing quality recreational baseball and softball experiences to the community. The two (2) adult ballfields and one (1) Little Leage field have hosted hundreds of teams, and thousands of players since opening in 2004. A successful grant award will allow the city to replace and convert the existing ballfield lights to LED technology and ensure future users have not only a high-quality filed experience, but one that is also environmentally friendly and energy efficient.
Goodyear Community Park sees over 280k visits annually and features three (3) highly utilized ballfields that have been providing quality recreational baseball and softball experiences to the community. The two (2) adult ballfields and one (1) Little Leage field have hosted hundreds of teams, and thousands of players since opening in 2004. A successful grant award will allow the city to replace and convert the existing ballfield lights to LED technology and ensure future users have not only a high-quality filed experience, but one that is also environmentally friendly and energy efficient.
STAFF ANALYSIS
The Arizona Sports & Tourism Authority (AZSTA) offers grant opportunities to support the development and enhancement of sports and recreational facilities within the state. This grant could provide a valuable funding source to offset costs associated with lighting improvements at the ballfields in the Goodyear Community Park.
Applying for the AZSTA grant aligns with the City’s commitment to improving recreational amenities and responding to community needs. Additionally, securing external funding would reduce reliance on local resources while expediting the implementation of this project. Resolution No. 2025-2456 is included as Attachment A.
Applying for the AZSTA grant aligns with the City’s commitment to improving recreational amenities and responding to community needs. Additionally, securing external funding would reduce reliance on local resources while expediting the implementation of this project. Resolution No. 2025-2456 is included as Attachment A.