Nearly nine months into constructions, the Town of Queen Creek’s new Recreation and Aquatic Center recently reached a milestone with a “topping off” ceremony. The topping off is significant as leadership and key partners have the opportunity to sign one of the last beams to be placed. The ceremony signifies the transition into the next phase of construction, with the facility slated to open at the end of 2024/early 2025.
At the ceremony, Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley shared, “Our parks and recreational opportunities are key elements of the quality of life that we enjoy here in Queen Creek. And our new Recreation and Aquatic Center will certainly enhance that quality of life. We are standing where families will gather and recreate for years – generations – to come. I am so honored to be part of this process and today truly is a milestone. I look forward to celebrating the grand opening of this wonderful facility with the community in early 2025.”
The Recreation and Aquatic Center is located at Frontier Family Park, on Signal Butte, north of Queen Creek Road. The new facility will include an indoor recreation center with various sport courts (basketball, volleyball, pickleball), a fitness area, teen room, child watch and classrooms. The outdoor aquatic center will include a zero-depth entry play pool, competition/lap pool, lazy river and slides. The facility was designed by DWL Architects and is being constructed by Haydon Building Corp.
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 (2023), 83% of Queen Creek residents reported visiting a town park in the past year, with 32% visiting a park more than 10 times. In a separate survey conducted in 2023, 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 85-acre park with a variety of amenities. It 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 multi-use path that will span the perimeter of the park. Save the date for the ribbon cutting and grand opening on June 8.
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 this summer and will include tennis courts, volleyball courts, pickleball courts, pump track, additional restrooms and parking, and passive green space.
Each of the projects are supported by the town’s Corporate Strategic Plan, specifically the Superior Infrastructure and Quality Lifestyle strategic priorities.
Learn more about the town’s parks and recreational opportunities at QueenCreekAZ.gov/Recreation.
