Queen Creek readies new community gathering spot

Play some basketball, take a class, swim a few laps — those are just some of the many activities Queen Creek residents can look forward to at the new Recreation & Aquatic Center.

The center at Frontier Family Park opens to the public on Saturday, March 29, with a celebration that will include a ribbon-cutting, tours, demonstrations, sports challenges, games, cookie decorating and more.

Beyond its activities, the center will play a role in maintaining Queen Creek’s small-town feel.

“A recreation and aquatic center in Queen Creek brings a wide array of benefits to a community, impacting residents’ well-being, social connections, economic opportunities and overall quality of life,” Adam Robinson, Queen Creek’s parks and recreation director. “Social benefits include providing a gathering space for residents, a place for families to recreate together, opportunities for new friendships and expanded opportunities for youth development.”

Construction on the $67.9 million center began in May 2023 as part of an overall project that included the creation of the 85-acre Frontier Family Park and the expansion of the Carter Mansel Oasis Park.

So far, it appears the town has no appetite for getting business sponsorships for the center, as was discussed in a recent Queen Creek Town Council strategy session.

“There was a general discussion about the myriad ways the municipality could partner with business entities to have them put their business name or logo on the entire facility or on a specific amenity in exchange for dollars, products or services,” Council Member Jeff Brown said. “From my perspective there didn’t seem to be a lot of excitement for ‘selling out’ the naming rights to an entity for an asset that’s really just for residents and isn’t an economic driver or a destination-type facility with a huge regional draw.”

Council Member Travis Padilla agreed.

“It is important that we evaluate the cost of implementing any sponsorship opportunities against any potential revenue to ensure it makes sense for the town,” he said. “Additionally, we must take into consideration the brand integrity of the town since it is the residents who have paid for Queen Creek parks with their hard-earned tax dollars.”

The 69,000-square-foot building includes:

• A 5,600-square-foot fitness floor with two fitness rooms.
• A 6,400-square-foot walking track.
• A 2,300-square-foot upstairs open fitness area.
• An 18,701-square-foot gymnasium primarily designed for sports such as basketball, pickleball, volleyball and badminton.

Another 5,800 square feet of space is set for a ballroom and classrooms that can be used for events, dinners and classes — both sporting and non-sporting. 

Administration offices, restrooms, hallways, utilities and more take up 26,550 square feet.

Queen Creek-based groups can reserve spaces such as the ballroom, classrooms, gymnasium and more, Robinson said.

“The town will offer an array of programming within the facility that will vary based on season,” he said.

That’s just the building. Outdoors is the aquatic center which includes:

• A 500-foot lazy river for swimmers of all ages and abilities.
• A play pool area with a splash playground, shallow water with a beach entry and lots of places to sit.
• An eight-lane, 25-yard competition pool with diving boards for more experienced swimmers.
• Four water slides, including a slide tower with two racing slides.

It also has ramadas, a picnic patio and a spray pad for the little ones.

“Health and wellness is a major benefit with indoor sport courts, an indoor walking track and enhanced programming due to the additional space,” Robinson said. “Educational and recreational opportunities include lifesaving classes like swim lessons, job opportunities for youth, expanded space for sports leagues and clinics, arts and craft programs, other special interest programming, and additional community meeting space.”

The recreation center can hold more than 1,500 people, while the aquatic center can accommodate 800 at opening with potentially room for more in the future, Robinson said.

The aquatic center will not include an “open swim” until the last weekend in May, when it will begin holding programs such as water fitness and lap swimming, with times available for swim/dive teams based on registrations.

Residents will be able to get memberships for individuals and households, with day passes also available for purchase. Residents must have an active CivicRec account to purchase a membership.

Non-residents can buy a day pass only if they are accompanied by a Queen Creek resident at the time of purchase.

Membership and day passes will not include access to registration-based programs. Programs at the center will have resident and non-resident rates.

For information about what is included in memberships and passes, visit QueenCreekAZ.gov/Recreation. Membership fee information is expected soon.

Janet Perez can be reached at jperez@iniusa.org.