The Queen Creek Town Council has approved providing $27.7 million in supplemental funding for new park construction.
The council approved the measure at its meeting on April 19 on a vote of 5-2. Council members Leah Martineau and Travis Padilla voted against the measure.
A staff report stated that project costs have increased due to “record inflation, higher construction worker wages, and supply chain and long-lead issues.”
In addition, the staff report stated that some design elements are more expensive than initially estimated.
The $27.7 million will be paid by using $6 million of investment income and a $21.7 million debt issuance.
In December 2021, the council directed town staff to prepare a $115 million bond issue to provide funding for new park projects.
The bond issue amount increased from $115 million to $138 million to include land acquisition. In April 2022, the town council approved authorizing a $138 million debt issue to fund Phase 1 of the Parks Master Plan. The funds are paying for:
• New land acquisition (Jorde Property) — $23 million;
• Frontier Family Park — $40 million;
• Mansel Carter Oasis Park expansion — $10 million;
• Recreation center at Frontier Family Park — $40 million;
• Aquatics center at Frontier Family Park — $25 million.
Due to a volatile stock market in 2022, the town was only able to sell $113 million of the authorized debt issue within the interest rate parameters originally approved by the town council.
In June 2022, the town voted to issue $25 million in supplemental debt at the lowest interest rates available.
In August 2022, Queen Creek broke ground on the 85-acre Frontier Family Park located off Signal Butte, north of Queen Creek Road.
During Phase 1 of the construction, Frontier Family Park will feature an inclusive play area, 5-acre fishing lake, lighted ball fields, picnic areas, splash pad, and 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 first phase of Frontier Family Park is scheduled to be completed in January 2024.
Phase 2 will be construction of the combined aquatic and recreation center on the north end of Frontier Family Park along Ryan Road. That is expected to be completed in October 2024.
In November 2022, the town broke ground on the expansion of Mansel Carter Oasis Park at 19535 E. Appleby Road.
The 13-acre expansion is anticipated to be completed in March 2024, and will include tennis courts, volleyball courts, pickleball courts, an outdoor fitness zone, additional restrooms and parking, and passive green space.
Under the Parks Master Plan approved by the town council, a level of service of 51 park acres per 10,000 population was adopted.
As of June 30, 2022, just 13 park acres were added for a total of 89 park acres. The Parks Master Plan estimated 362 total park acres by June 2022 based on population, a shortfall of 273 park acres.
In 10 years, the plan calls for 637 total park acres. The projected total park acreage is 345 based on population for a shortfall of 292 park acres.
We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
Janet Perez News Editor | Queen Creek &
San Tan Valley @AzNewsmedia
Meet Janet Janet Perez joined Independent Newsmedia as editor of the Queen Creek Independent and Florence Independent in 2020. She started her career in 1989 with the Gannett-owned El Paso Times. In 1992, she moved to Tempe and has worked in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. She left Arizona for three years to work at New Mexico State University and Baylor University before returning to work at Arizona State University. Missing the business, she went back to journalism in 2017.
Community: A long-time pet owner, she supports animal welfare causes.
Education: University of Texas at El Paso with a BA in journalism and a minor in political science.
Random Fact: She had a head full of random facts.
Hobbies: Reading, watching documentaries, cooking and playing with her dogs.
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