In what undoubtedly will be one of the most significant sports occasions in the Dallas/Fort Worth area as well as for the entire sport of soccer, the Dallas Burn will host the official groundbreaking ceremony for their new stadium and entertainment complex in Frisco on Wednesday, February 18. In addition to the groundbreaking, an unveiling of the official facility design to the general public will take place for the first time.
Beginning in the spring of 2005, the Burn will play their home schedule at the Frisco Soccer & Entertainment Center, which is being developed by Hunt Sports Group (HSG) at the intersection of Main Street and the North Dallas Toll Road in Frisco. This 115-acre facility will feature a 20,000-plus-seat soccer stadium that will serve as the new home of the Burn and accommodate other events such as major concerts, international soccer matches and high school football. Adjacent to the stadium will be 17 full-sized, tournament grade soccer fields which can be utilized on a year-round basis, making the center the focal point of youth soccer in North Texas and one of the showcase facilities in the country. An estimated 1.4 million spectators and participants are expected to visit the facility annually.
Speaking on behalf of Hunt Sports Group, their Chairman of the Managers Lamar Hunt said, "This is an extremely exciting day for the sports fans of the Metroplex. Hunt Sports is very proud to be associated with Colin County, the city of Frisco and the Frisco Independent School District in the development of this outstanding entertainment facility to be built near the corner of Main Street and the Dallas North Toll Road. This facility will set new standards for both functional design and creative uses, which will bring enjoyment to the public for years to come." The groundbreaking ceremony, which will be emceed by legendary Dallas-area broadcaster Brad Sham, will run from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The official groundbreaking will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. followed by a luncheon from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. catered by La Hacienda Ranch across Main Street at Frisco Square. Over 300 guests, including MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Lamar Hunt and John Wagner representing HSG, Burn President and General Manager Greg Elliott, Burn Head Coach Colin Clarke, a large contingent of Burn players as well as dignitaries from Collin County, Frisco ISD, the City of Frisco and North Texas Soccer will be in attendance at the event. The $65 million Frisco Soccer & Entertainment Center is an innovative public-private partnership that will connect a professional soccer stadium with youth fields for the first time. Participants are Collin County, the City of Frisco, the Frisco Independent School District and HSG. As the operator of the Burn, HSG, which developed Major League Soccer's first soccer-specific stadium in Columbus, Ohio, will operate the facility under a 20-year lease with two 20-year options and will assume the risk of all operating and maintenance expenses.
