In 1883, the Arizona Canal Company hired
entrepreneur William J. Murphy to spearhead the building of a
44-mile-long canal from the Salt River to the barren Northeast
Valley. The project took almost two years to complete, leaving
Murphy deeply in debt, but triumphant as water flowed through the
canal in May 1885. The canal brought new agricultural
opportunities to the area, and soon families began to settle in
the new community.Glendale will soon boast two major
league sports facilities for the Arizona Cardinals football team
and the Phoenix Coyotes hockey team.
On June 6, 2002, Glendale issued the first building permit
for the 17,500-seat Coyotes arena. The state-of-the-art,
multi-purpose arena will serve as the anchor for three million
square feet of entertainment, retail, office, residential and
other commercial uses.
On Aug. 20, 2002, the Glendale City Council approved the
final development agreements for the new Multi-Purpose Facility
that will serve as the future home of the Arizona Cardinals
football team and Fiesta Bowl. The facility, which will be
adjacent to the Coyotes arena, will create a dual destination
sports complex unique to only a few cities in the country.
The $350 million stadium features a unique retractable grass
playing field for non-football events. Other stadium amenities
include a large turf area that will be used for various youth
sports activities.
