The City of Surprise is making a major investment into the vitality and well-being of the West Valley with plans to build a multigenerational community resource center in partnership with Maricopa County.
On April 5, Council voted to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Maricopa County for the $26 million building project. On April 6, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted to also approve the IGA, dedicating $18 million of their federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding toward the project. The City is committing $8 million from a combination of City ARPA funds and General Fund dollars.
This partnership will create an estimated 38-thousand square-foot center on City-owned land in Surprise’s historic Original Town Site. The new campus will improve resources for families, seniors, youth and vulnerable populations by centralizing and expanding programs and services from several aging city buildings, including the Surprise Resource Center, Hollyhock Library and Surprise Senior Center.
This is an amazing project that will truly serve the well-being of our local community in new and expanded ways. Currently, we are turning away program and partner opportunities due to our lack of space. This opportunity is the perfect solution.
The new community resource center will allow the County and City to expand health and wellness, workforce development and housing and homelessness benefit assistance; while also offering senior services, library services, Veteran Services and after-school and summer youth programming.
The campus will be at the corner of Hollyhock Street and Santa Fe Drive, will be built on shovel-ready land and should be completed by 2025. It is the perfect complement to the investment and growth already existing in the area, which includes a youth ballfield, recreation center and city pool, along with the Housing Authority of Maricopa County’s permanent supportive family housing development and planned affordable senior housing development.
Roadway Restrictions for Utility Work
Litchfield Road, from Peoria Avenue to Waddell Road, will have lane restrictions beginning April 19 as Southwest Gas works to install a gas pipeline. The work is expected to be completed in September 2022.
Work will begin on Litchfield Road at Peoria Avenue and work toward Waddell Road throughout the duration of the project. Traffic will be shifted away from the work area, maintaining at least one lane of traffic in both directions. Left turns may be restricted.
Work will take place during daytime hours, Monday thru Saturday; however, traffic control will stay in place even during non-work hours to protect the work zone. Business and resident access will be maintained. This effort is part of a larger pipeline replacement project, so crews may need to return at a later date to make final connections.
For additional information, contact the Southwest Gas project hotline at 602.532.6100.
Northwest Regional Library Opening Sundays
The City of Surprise and the Maricopa County Library District are opening Northwest Regional Library on Sundays from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., beginning Sunday, May 15.
Northwest Regional is located in the Surprise Recreation Campus at 16089 N. Bullard Ave. Hours are currently Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The facility features a special teen area, magazines, newspapers, a popular Best-Seller browsing section and a comfortable reading area with a gorgeous view of the lake.
Visit surpriseaz.gov/library and click on Northwest or call 602.652.3000 for more information.
USTA Tennis Competition in Surprise
Surprise will welcome the return of top-tiered United States Tennis Association (USTA) competition from around the country at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex this April and May.
USTA National Level II Girls’ 18’s • May 21 – 24
The junior competition returns to Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex with the arrival of the 2022 USTA National Level 2 Girls’ 18’s Championships.
The singles draw consists of 64 nationally ranked players and 32 teams for doubles. Tournament & Match Information: USTA National Level II Events
All matches will take place at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex located at 14469 W. Paradise Ln. Admission is free for spectators.
Please note, that open court availability may be limited or not available due to tournaments and other special events. For information on open court availability and tennis programs, please contact the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex at 623.222.2400.
Arizona History and Culture Virtual Speaker Series
Experience stories of Arizona history and culture at upcoming speaker events presented by the Surprise Arts and Cultural Advisory Commission in partnership with Arizona Humanities. Local experts from Arizona Humanities’ AZ Speaks program will present on the following topics:
Saviors and Saints on the Arizona Frontiers (Speaker: Jan Cleere)
June 8 • 11 a.m. – Noon Register here
Bisbee: The Alchemical City of Copper Borderlands (Speaker: Virgil Hancock)
October 11 • 11 a.m. – Noon Register here
The events are free, but registration is required by visiting the links above. These virtual events are not run by the City of Surprise and the security of the online platform has not been validated by the City.
For more information, please contact the Human Service & Community Vitality Department at 623.222.3243.
Highlights
Surprise Recreation Campus Hall of Fame Presentation
During the Spring Training game on Sunday, April 3, Councilmember Winters, Councilmember Judd, Councilmember Duffy and I joined the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission as they inducted the following individuals into the Surprise Recreation Campus Hall of Fame.
Charlie Woodland (former Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission member)
Kevin Uhlich (Previous Senior Vice President of Business Operations for the Kansas City Royals)
Mike Swanson (Previous VP of Communications and Broadcasting for the Kansas City Royals)
Andrew Benintendi, Michael A. Taylor and Salvador Perez (Current Kansas City Royals Players)
Water Awareness Proclamation
At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 5, I proclaimed April as Water Awareness Month in Surprise joining the annual statewide campaign to help raise awareness about the value of conserving water in the Southwest.
Luke Air Force Base Airmen
On Monday, April 4, Vice Mayor Aly Cline, Councilmember Judd, City Manager Bob Wingenroth and I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with a few of the Luke Air Force Base Airmen at a spring training game for a “home run” day at the Ballpark. Thank you to the Surprise Economic Development Department for inviting us to such a wonderful event.
KIDZ Jamboree!
Friday, April 8, the City of Surprise Human Service & Community Vitality Department hosted KIDZ Jamboree!, a fun event for the little ones. This was for 0 to 5-year-olds to celebrate the Week of the Young Child. The kids enjoyed games, crafts, music and even story time with The Cat in the Hat, a.k.a, Vice Mayor Aly Cline!
Fair Housing Proclamation
On Tuesday, April 19, I Proclaimed the month of April as Fair Housing Month in Surprise. This month we feel grateful for the Fair Housing Act that was passed on April 11, 1968. This law is designed to protect Americans from facing discrimination in selling or buying houses.
Pure Patio Ribbon Cutting
On Friday, April 29, I joined Pure Patio for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony! The City of Surprise along with Anesia St. Clair, Owner, held the event to welcome Pure Patio to the Surprise Community. They are located at 13710 W. Bell Rd. Thank you for choosing us and welcome to Surprise!
Mera City Center Ribbon Cutting
On Saturday, April 30, Councilmember Hastings and I attended Mera City Center’s incredible Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting event! Houston Lane, Chief Operating Officer of Sparrow Living, hosted the private celebration in honor of the official Grand Opening of the resort-style, 55 and older active adult community, located at 15510 N. La Cometa Ave. The event included live music, a bocce ball tournament, the longest drive on the sports simulator, corn hole and pickleball challenges.
Thank you for making Surprise your home!
Coming Up
National Day of Prayer
Join us on Thursday, May 5 from 7 to 8:30 am. National Day of Prayer will be held in the Public Safety Building at 14250 W. Statler Plz. It will begin with praise and worship followed by a group of pastors who will pray over our city, state and nation.
Fighter Country Partnership Foundation Golf Classic
Friday, May 20, Fighter Country Foundation (FCF), the leading support and advocacy organization for Luke Air Force Base is hosting their annual Fighter Country Honorary Commanders Golf Classic, luncheon, auction and raffle at the Wigwam Golf Club. The golf tournament is the primary funding mechanism for Fighter Country Foundation and its support for Luke Air Force Base.
City Council Meetings
As a friendly reminder, the upcoming City Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 17. City Council Work sessions begin at 4 p.m. while City Council Meetings follow at 6 p.m. You can also watch live on surpriseaz.gov/surprisetv, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofsurprise or on Cox channel 11. We hope to see you there.
