Glendale-Based Land Development Group Plans for 20,000-Seat International Stadium in Buckeye, Ariz., Will Become the Second ICC-Certified Cricket Stadium in North America and first west of the Mississippi

PHOENIX,  ARIZONA – The Mangat Group, a Glendale-based land development group, announced today plans to build a world-class cricket stadium to serve the international cricket community in Buckeye, Ariz. The 20,000-seat stadium, known as MG Cricket Stadium, will sit on 30 acres located north of the I-10 freeway on Miller Road.

“Although cricket has been played for many years in other countries, it’s gaining popularity here in the states with many athletes, professional and amateur,” says Tony Mangat, founder of The Mangat Group. “There are limited places for cricket players and enthusiasts to play, as games have been played on baseball and soccer fields in recent years. Our goal is to create a dedicated place for all cricket enthusiasts to enjoy the sport with accurate accommodations and proper field dimensions.”

While there are cricket complexes in Los Angeles, Indianapolis, and Pearland, Texas, MG Cricket Stadium will be the second ICC-Certified cricket stadium in North America, the first west of the Mississippi, and the first cricket stadium in the state of Arizona. The only other ICC-Certified stadium is located in Lauderhill, Fla.

Earlier this year, USA Cricket partnered with American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) to create a professional US T20 cricket league that will hopefully lead to the creation of Major League Cricket across the country. Mangat hopes Phoenix and the MG Cricket Stadium will be a key part in the creation of those teams.

Mangat and his team plan to build a state-of-the-art soccer field and pickleball court in addition to the cricket stadium, along with a training facility for players. An additional 20 acres will include a hotel and shops for entertainment. Plans for a parking structure are also in development.

“Buckeye continues attracting new industrial, retail and entertainment developments to the city,” said Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn. “The announcement of this facility creates another amenity for our residents to enjoy. It is definitely a great time to be in Buckeye!”

The stadium comes at a perfect time of growth and development in the West Valley and Arizona. Buckeye is in the top 5% of population growth in the country, and many companies continue to relocate to the area. The major interstate is also under construction as the Department of Transportation works on widening the I-10 to accommodate the growth explosion.

Mangat has partnered with Managing Partner, Vispi Karanjia, from the national architecture firm Orcutt Winslow, and Marc Taylor Inc. Construction Management. Cricket enthusiasts Ashish Bobby Malhotra (Desi Rasoi Brand) and Dr. Nishant Gupta have also partnered with Mangat to help develop the largest cricket stadium in the country.

To learn more about MG Cricket Stadium, please visit http://www.mgcricketstadium.com/. For more information on business opportunities, please contact John Lowson at [email protected].

TEMPE, ARIZ. ‒ The Greater Phoenix Chapter of IFMA, the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for facility management professionals, recently elected its officers for 2023.

Marshall MacFarlane, Town of Gilbert, was elected to this second term as Chapter President. Presidents can serve two consecutive one-year terms.

MJ Nagarajan Gomathi, FMP, CFM, LEED Green Associate, Terracon, was elected to her first term as Vice President of Professional Development; John Abbey, TIP Maintenance Building Services, was elected to his second term as VP of Communication; Amy Nugent, Town of Gilbert, was elected to her first term as VP of Community; Kathy Keating-Losinske, Lungaretti Flooring Solutions, was elected to her first term as VP of Special Events; and Jacob Kashiwagi, KSM, Inc., was elected to his second term as Secretary/Treasurer. Vice presidents can serve two consecutive two-year terms.

“I’m proud to serve a second term as president of such an amazing chapter,” MacFarlane said. “Even after navigating COVID-19 and a crazy, volatile economy we still are one of the most successful chapters in North America. This is a direct result of the efforts of our members, committees, and board members. There’s still work to be done, though, and I’m excited about the year ahead.”

A hallmark of the IFMA Greater Phoenix Chapter is the education programs it offers its members. This includes the knowledge-based Facility Management Professional (FMP) credential that helps members accelerate their transition into the profession and the Sustainable Facility Professional (SFP) credential that helps facility managers make data-driven decisions and understand sustainable best practices.

Our Education Committee recognizes that as facilities professionals it is critical that we continually sharpen our skills through professional development. With this in mind, we will continue to provide programs and training opportunities to help you enhance member skills and awareness in preparation for the challenges their jobs provide today and, in the future,” MacFarlane said.

IFMA Greater Phoenix also boasts a robust student chapter. It offers internships and scholarships to future facility management professionals. The Greater Phoenix Student Chapter won the 2017 Award of Excellence as Student Chapter of the Year.

Community outreach efforts include an annual charity golf tournament and working with Valley non-profits such as “Feed Our Friends.”

TUCSON, ARIZONA — LGI Homes closed on another 214 lots in the north Marana submarket of Tucson. The property was located at the NWC of Barnett and Sandario Roads. The pre-platted lots were purchased for in bulk for $8,500,080 ($39,720 per lot). The stand-alone parcel was purchased from an entity managed by Susan Ong of Marana. The Ong Family are significant landowners in the north Marana area, dating back many decades. The family has been involved in a variety of real estate activity throughout Tucson over many years. 

This is LGI’s second transaction with the Ong Family in this area. The first was a subdivision known as SC Ranch that they purchased in 2020 and is approaching buildout. LGI Homes continues to be active in specific areas of Tucson and closed recently on more lots in the Star Valley MPC in southwest Tucson. 

Information on the first transaction can be found here.

North Marana continues to see a large amount of investment from homebuilders and industrial developers. The area has grown significantly in its overall market share of permits and closings in the past 18 months and has some key projects estimated to open in the next 12 months. The area is also seeing some of the fastest industrial and retail expansion in the Tucson Metro area 

Will White and John Carroll of Land Advisors Organization in Tucson handled the transaction and represent the Ong Family on their residential land in north Marana. 

“Key parcels are hard to secure in north Marana and come at a premium,” said White. “This is an excellent property and very well located. It allows LGI Homes to continue their success in the immediate area. North Marana continues to build on its momentum year after year and, with the addition of new employment and retail services, the next 12-18 months look to be extremely active there.”