The Town of Queen Creek just broke ground on a new recreation and aquatic center, which will be located off Signal Butte, north of Queen Creek Road. Slated to open by late 2024, the state-of-the-art facility will enhance the recreational opportunities in Queen Creek.
“Our recreation and aquatic center is going to be a hub for community activity here in Queen Creek,” said Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley. “Moving projects of this magnitude forward takes a shared vision by former and current council members, resident input and lots of planning. Thank you to my fellow council members that have continued to support parks, including all the years of planning, discussions and action that led us to this exciting groundbreaking. And to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, our staff and the project team for their efforts. But more importantly, thank you to our community for continuing to share your feedback and making Queen Creek so special.”
The new facility will include an indoor recreation center with various sport courts (basketball, volleyball, pickleball), a fitness area, teen room, childcare and classrooms. The outdoor aquatic center will include a zero-depth entry play pool, competition/lap pool, lazy river and slides. There will be shared space for locker rooms. The facility was designed by DWL Architects and is being constructed by Haydon Building Corporation.
The facility was approved in December 2021 following resident input received through the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update (adopted in 2018) and recreation amenity survey that was completed in the summer of 2021. In the most recent Citizen Survey (2021), 81% of Queen Creek residents reported visiting a town park in the past year, with 33% visiting a park more than 10 times. In a separate survey conducted earlier in the year, 75% of residents reported wanting a town aquatic center and/or multi-generational center.
The recreation and aquatic center will be located at the new Frontier Family Park, a new 85-acre park with a variety of amenities. Slated to open by in early 2024, the park will feature an inclusive play area, 5-acre fishing lake, lighted ball fields, picnic areas, splash pad, basketball and volleyball courts. New amenities include 24 pickleball courts and a 1.5-mile multiuse path that will span the perimeter of the park.
The town is also in the process of completing phase II of Mansel Carter Oasis Park. The 13-acre expansion is also slated to open in early 2024 and will include tennis courts, volleyball courts, pickleball courts, pump track, additional restrooms and parking, and passive green space.
The total cost for the three projects (Recreation & Aquatic Center, Frontier Family Park and phase II of Mansel Carter Oasis Park) is $157 million. Each of the projects are supported by the town’s Corporate Strategic Plan, most notable in the Superior Infrastructure and Quality Lifestyle strategic priorities.
Learn more about the town’s parks and recreational opportunities at QueenCreekAZ.gov/Recreation.
