Traffic Alert: Roadwork on Tangerine, May 30 and 31

Beginning Tuesday, May 30, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, Tangerine Corridor Constructors will be installing traffic signal loops at the Tangerine Road and Dove Mountain Boulevard/Twin Peaks Road intersection. In addition, they will also be completing work in the median at the intersection. This work is scheduled to be complete by early June. Residents and the traveling public can expect the following:

• Intermittent lane restrictions and turn restrictions at the intersection
• Restrictions will change daily
• Traffic control will be in place 24 hours a day 
• Expect slight delays 

Beginning Tuesday, May 30 through Wednesday, May 31, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, Tangerine Corridor Constructors will pave the northwest corner of the Tangerine Road/Thornydale Road intersection. Residents and the traveling public can expect the following:

• Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction
• All left turns will be permitted
• Right turns will not be permitted from southbound Thornydale Road to westbound Tangerine Road 
• Traffic control will be in place 24 hours a day
• Expect slight delays

On Tuesday, May 30, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tangerine Corridor Constructors willtemporarily close the Chase Bank entrance off of Thornydale Road to complete work in the area. Business access will be maintained from Tangerine Road through the Circle K driveway. 

Splash into Summer at the Marana Pool Starting Tuesday, May 30

Marana is a place where we love our outdoor fun all year long. Even as the summer temperatures heat up, there are still plenty of ways to stay active in our beautiful desert environment. On Tuesday, May 30, the refreshing waters of the Marana Pool will greet swimmers for the first time, which means that for the next few months, it’s splashing time. All summer long, Marana Parks and Recreation will host a variety of structured activities as well as some laid-back fun in the sun. So grab your sunscreen and goggles, because it’s time to dive into summer.

Parent and Tot Pool Play

Our youngest swimmers and their outgoing parents won’t want to miss out on Parent and Tot Play at the pool. This program offers a safe and exclusive pool environment for parents and tots to enjoy the water with other parents and tots, along with organized games and pool toys. For two Saturdays in both June and July, you can blow your tot’s mind with the biggest bath tub they’ve ever seen. 

YMCA Swim Lessons

For over 100 years, the Y has been helping kids across the country learn to swim. Drowning poses a significant danger for kids just learning how to have fun in the water, and participants in this class will learn the fundamentals of how to swim safely. For swimmers-to-be aged 5-12, there’s no better way to get ready for a lifetime of water adventures than swimming lessons from the Y.

There will be four two-week sessions held in July and August, and information on how to sign up is available here.

Sensory Splash at the Heritage Park Splash Pad and at the Marana Pool

Do you have a child, aged 5-12, with special needs? Marana Parks and Recreation is offering the perfect program for you. The Sensory Splash, offered at both the splash pad and the pool, provides a safe, positive, and exclusive aquatic and social meet-up experience for individuals with special needs. We will cater the pool and equipment towards those individuals, along with some planned activities for the participants to enjoy.

Junior Lifeguard Training

Grab your red buoy and put on your Hasselhoff face, because this summer, you, yes you (if you’re 11-14 years old), can get your Junior Lifeguard training in Marana.  This course is designed to prepare future lifeguards by building a foundation of aquatic knowledge, attitudes, and skills.

Water Aerobics

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to sing along with Cyndi Lauper while splashing to the beat? Wonder no more, my friend. Marana’s Water Aerobics program is the perfect activity to tone up for months and months of summer fun. Here, you’ll be able to build up flexibility, core strength, and balance while also helping you to reach your fitness goals. These Saturday classes will run through June and July, and are open to all participants aged 16 or older.

Splash n’ Dash Series

They say cross-training is the best form of exercise, so Marana’s Splash n’ Dash series may just be the best way to stay fit this summer. This event combines a long-distance swim with a run (distances vary by age group), and frankly, the only way to hit the pavement in this heat is to do so after a refreshing swim.

The Splash n’ Dash will occur on July 13 and July 27, and registration is only $5. Both events will occur in the early evening, starting at 6pm. And the best part? For free, Marana Parks and Recreation is throwing in the added bonus of watching a beautiful Southern Arizona sunset. We’ll see you in the water!

Dive-in Movies

Throughout the year, Marana hosts free screenings of a variety of family-friendly movies. When the temperature heats up, though, we move from the park to the pool. The Marana Pool will host Dive-in Movies all summer long. The summer’s first movie will be Despicable Me on June 17, followed by Finding Dory on July 15, and Moana on August 19 at the Heritage River Park Splash Pad.

Free Lap Swim

For a rigorous workout that won’t leave you panting from heat stroke, try lap swimming at the Marana Pool. Every Tuesday and Thursday this summer, starting May 30, the pool is open during the lunch hour, 11:30am-12:30pm, so head on over for some refreshing mid-day laps.

Free Open Swim

Are you not into the whole group activity thing? No problem, we’ve got just the thing for you. Every Monday through Saturday, 1-5pm, the pool is open for free open swim. Come relax in the sun, bring your friends, and hang out at the pool. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

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With so much going on this summer, the Marana Pool is the place to be. No one’s better at having fun in the sun than us desert dwellers. Whether you’re looking to up your swim game, strengthen your core with water aerobics, or just splash around with a pool noodle, you’ve come to the right place.

Marana tentative budget approved

Article by Brad Allis

Originally published in Marana News on May 24, 2017

The Marana Town Council approved the tentative budget for the fiscal year 2018 during on May 16. The Town Council will still need to take one more vote to formally approve the budget, but barring any last second changes, the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 is set.

Project Ina app featured in RTA video

The Regional Transportation Authority has featured Marana's Project Ina App as an innovative way to help businesses during construction. Give us a view!

Marana developed the Project Ina app in the months before major construction descended on Ina Road. During this project, the Ina Road exits from I-10 will be closed, meaning potential customers must exit at either Sunset or Cortaro and take surface roads to access this commercial district.

When the project is complete, a new overpass will carry traffic over the highway and the railroad tracks, tremendously improving the flow of traffic in this area. Before then, though, the Town is working hard to support the businesses along the Ina Corridor. The Project Ina App is just one part of that larger effort.

Marana Water News: All Hooked Up

Beginning last week, there are many new sewer customers in the Marana Water system thanks to an almost complete capital improvement project. This new sewer line runs from our existing sewer system through portions of North Marana near Moore Road, down Tangerine Farms Road, underneath the Santa Cruz River, and ends at the Saguaro Bloom neighborhood off of Silverbell and Twin Peaks. This line will be able to carry a maximum of 1.8 million gallons per day allowing for growth opportunities all along the new line.

Divided into several phases, the construction of this project was no easy feat. Beginning in October 2014, the project began to be fleshed out and our Town Capital Improvement team, along with Marana Water, began working with a consultant to determine the best approach. It was then that it became clear that the project would be divided into distinct phases. When reviewing work that was previously planned on the alignment, our team resurrected a design from 2008, which was part of the planned improvements for the area but was never constructed. The original engineering firm and our new engineering firm worked together to match up their respective plans. The first phase was completed in October 2015. Additionally, there was sewer infrastructure built during the Tangerine Farms Road construction that we made sure became a part of the first phase of the project. This phase of construction included 3.5 miles of brand new 15-18” sewer main and 45 new manholes.

The second phase was approximately two miles in length.  This included approximately 0.5 miles of 15” gravity main with seven new manholes, and approximately 1.25 miles of 8” force main with three new air release valves.  A 1,900 linear foot portion of the force main was bored under the Santa Cruz River to depths of up to 60 feet. The completion of this project allowed for the connection of the Saguaro Bloom and the Rillito Vista neighborhoods. We had to use specialized drilling equipment, drilling mud, welding, and testing equipment on the steel casing, and a special machine to pull the casing through after the drill under the Santa Cruz River. Construction for this portion of the project began in December 2016 and there are just a few more pieces left until this is completed.

While also part of Phase II, there is another part of this project that is particularly interesting - the lift station. As part of the original Saguaro Bloom development, a lift station was constructed to pump the sewage up and over the Tucson Mountains where it would eventually be treated at Pima County’s Tres Rios Water Reclamation Facility.  These types of lines are called force mains due to the pressure required to get the contents where it needs to go. Phase II described above is construction of a force main line while Phase I is a gravity fed line, meaning once the contents reach that portion of the system, gravity does all the work to get it to our Water Reclamation Facility. That pressure is provided through a system of pumps and wells called a lift station. In the new construction, instead of pumping the sewer over a mountain, we need to pump it under the Santa Cruz River and over to where the gravity flow portion begins.

In the late hours of Wednesday, May 17 and the early hours of Thursday, May 18, we tied into this lift station and began taking flows into our newly constructed line. We pumped all the contents out of the existing force main that flowed over the mountain and hauled it to an upstream manhole, cut into the existing pipe, and connected our new pipe all while monitoring flows from the neighborhood. We are proud to say this was done seamlessly and without any service disruption.

Connecting to a manhole

Pumping out the existing force main late at night

A manhole prior to installation

Pulling the pipe casing through the bored hole under the Santa Cruz River

Trench with bedding for the new sewer line

Crew hard at work near a manhole

Crossing the sewer line under existing utilities

This project required substantial coordination and collaboration to ensure that it was completed properly and in the best interest of all stakeholders. We worked with the farming community on the construction of parts of the gravity line, collaborated with the original engineering firm from 2008, and, of course, with Pima County to ensure there was no noticeable change for our customers. We also took precautions to ensure the lifespan of this infrastructure. We used a specific type of pipe that is welded together rather than coupled together to prevent leaks at connection points. We added SCADA software to monitor and notify the department of any issue that might be present at the site, and we added variable frequency drives which allow for more efficient use of the lift station pumps. As part of the 2012 settlement for the Town to take over the sewer system, the transition of this area from Pima County to Marana was established. The efficiencies generated from not having the pump over the mountain and connecting to a gravity line are beneficial for both parties. The installation of this line allows for savings across the board. While there are additional testing and maintenance requirements that our wastewater staff are now taking on, the opportunity for growth in this area just expanded substantially.

The construction of this project is a great example of how we operate at Marana Water. We work in teams to provide the best outcomes, use materials and equipment that will provide long term health for our system, create thoughtful proactive maintenance plans, and ensure no noticeable change in our customer experience. We are proud to say this project came in under budget, and we are now taking the wastewater discharge into our new line. Should any Saguaro Bloom customer have a sewer related question, they will now call Marana Water at (520) 382-2570. There will be no change to the statements of the method of payment.

For all intents and purposes this project is completed. There are some minor adjustments to some of our monitoring equipment that are necessary, but the majority of the work was completed when we tied into the lift station last week. We can now incorporate this new infrastructure into our maintenance schedule and keep working hard to provide resiliency and redundancy to all of our systems.

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Press release: New police facility groundbreaking ceremony

The media and public are invited to join the Town of Marana and the Police Facility Project Team as the Town breaks ground on a new police facility at the Marana Municipal Complex on Wednesday, June 7 at 9 A.M.

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The building, once completed, will be the result of months of public education and outreach, a community-supported half-cent sales tax increase, and years of research, planning, and development. The designs include improved amenities to accommodate the police department’s various services, as well as the capacity to manage Marana’s anticipated population growth, and the commensurate police department growth, over the next twenty years:

EXPANDED TRAINING FACILITIES

Marana Police Department will have a state of the art training facility once construction is complete, with classrooms, gym, shooting range, and virtual training room available for region-wide use.

IMPROVED SECURITY

Police officers will soon park their vehicles in a secured parking lot, as well as provide separate holding cells for adults and minors that are secured from other parts of the police building.

EXPANDED STORAGE AND EVIDENCE ROOMS

The new storage rooms for evidence will centralize all Marana police materials, with room for growth over the next twenty years.

BRAND NEW K-9 AMENITIES

K-9 units will be able to take care of their dogs in the new K-9 amenities, which will offer dog kennels, a care center, tools, and indoor/outdoor areas.

ADMINISTRATION

Larger administrative and records rooms will be able to accommodate all police records, including a special storage space for homicide cases.

INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY ROOM AND UPDATED COURTYARD

The public will be able to make use of the new public building through its inclusive community room. Ideal for meeting space and ceremonies, the community room is available to all Town departments and the public for various events, classes, and functions. A removable wall feature also allows the community room to open up to the improved courtyard, which will encourage staff and the public to see this area as a center of activity.

The building is projected to be completed by summer 2018.

Lane restrictions scheduled along Ina Road and Interstate 10

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following restrictions as construction on Interstate 10 and Ina Road continues:

• Ina Road, east of Silverbell Road, will be narrowed to one lane in both directions from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Monday, May 22, through Friday, May 26, to set bridge girders. The work will involve 12 truck hauls per day transporting 63-foot girders. The trucks will be traveling on I-10 to Cortaro Road, to Silverbell Road, to Ina Road. Lane restrictions will be in place during the hauling.
• I-10  will have intermittent closures in both directions at Ina Road between 6 and 10 a.m. Sunday, May 21, for overhead utility work. Drivers should expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

Additionally, there will be maintenance work along I-10 near the Ina Road traffic interchange for milling and replacing asphalt.

• Westbound I-10 will be narrowed to one lane at Ruthrauff Road (milepost 252) from 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, to 5 a.m. Thursday, May 25, for pavement work.
• The westbound I-10 on-ramp at Ruthrauff Road will be closed from 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, to 5 a.m. Thursday, May 25 during the pavement work.
• Drivers will use the westbound I-10 on-ramp at Sunset Road.
• Westbound I-10 will be narrowed to one lane at Cortaro Road (milepost 247) from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, and Thursday, May 25, for pavement work.
• The westbound I-10 on-ramp at Cortaro Road will be closed d from 8 p.m. Thursday, May 25, to 5 a.m. Friday, May 26.
• Drivers will use the westbound I-10 frontage road to Twin Peaks Road to access westbound I-10.
• The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions and closures, but it’s possible that unscheduled impacts might occur because of weather or other factors. For the most current information about highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

For more information about this project, please call Paki Rico, ADOT senior community relations officer, at 520.388.4233 or email prico@azdot.gov  or visit the website at http://azdot.gov/inati.

Marana Water News: Recharge Project Underway

The Town of Marana has begun construction for an expansion to our Water Reclamation Facility as well as the new Marana Water Reclamation Facility Recharge Project.

The project started in early 2014 when Marana Water staff started meeting with stakeholders. The master plan for the project was completed in 2014 and design was finished in early 2016. By December 2016 construction had begun. Our current construction plans anticipate that the project will be completed in May 2018. This new project is in partnership with the expansion of the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) construction. The treated wastewater from the WRF will be used for the basins and recharged into the aquifer. The location was selected for proximity to the WRF, avoidance of the floodway, and with soil that could provide good infiltration rates so we could get the highest return. Check out the slideshow below to see the progress of the construction site from March 7 through May 2.

As part of its water portfolio, the Town receives water credits for treated effluent recharged back into the aquifer along with groundwater rights, long term storage credits, and our annual allocation of Central Arizona Project water. The addition of this recharge project gives more stability to the portfolio so Marana is able to keep up with demand and growth in the Town. The current phase of this project is anticipated to provide 1.5 million gallons per day of treated wastewater from the WRF. The WRF will provide A+ source water for the recharge basins. This is the highest class of reclaimed water determined by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

Engineering rendering of the completed recharge basins first phase, and the connection to the WRF

Water is a valuable resource in Arizona and there are many regulations with how it used or diverted. In this case, Marana is required to get an Aquifer Protection Permit (APP) from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The Town already has an APP issued for the WRF, and since the recharge basis are adjacent to the WRF, we were able to amend our existing permit to include the recharge project. In addition, the Town obtained New Underground Storage Facility and Water Storage permits from the Arizona Department of Water Resources. These are to ensure that the groundwater quality is protected and there will be no potential harm to the aquifer from our new project. Finally, we needed to get a Flood Plain Use permit since this site is within the existing flood plain.

Marana Water has many goals for this recharge project apart from the water resource potential. While it is not quite the same as Tucson Water’s Sweetwater Wetlands, it does provide the opportunity for educational events and recreational activities once it is up and running. In the long-term, the Town could invest in walking trails, ramadas, restrooms, and other amenities.

Our commitment to sustainability and resiliency of our service is second to none. Projects like this recharge facility and the expansion of the WRF put in place sustainable options for manageable growth. For more information on the WRF, check out our Water Reclamation page here.

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Tangerine Road Update, May 15-17, 2017

On Monday, May 15 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tangerine Corridor Constructors will be reconstructing the Chase Bank driveway, just north of the Thornydale and Tangerine Roads intersection. The traveling public can expect the following:

• The first driveway will be temporarily closed
• Please use an alternate entrance

Beginning Monday, May 15 through Tuesday, May 16 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, Tangerine Corridor Constructors will be reconstructing the third driveway to the Fry's shopping center, just east of the Thornydale and Tangerine Roads intersection. The traveling public can expect the following:

• The first driveway will be temporarily closed
• Please use an alternate entrance

Beginning Tuesday, May 16 through Wednesday, May 17 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, Tangerine Corridor Constructors will install utility infrastructure across Tangerine Road at Wildlife Avenue. The traveling public can expect the following:

• Flaggers will be onsite to direct alternating, one-way traffic along Tangerine Road at Wildlife Avenue
• Access will be maintained at Wildlife Avenue
• Expect delays

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Kristi or Nanette at (520) 623-3073 or by email at info@tangerineroad.info. We look forward to working with you throughout the project, and encourage any feedback to ensure the Project Team can deliver a beneficial project for the whole community. 

For more information on this project, please visit www.tangerineroad.info. For more detailed schedule information please click here.

Please be aware of bicyclists and pedestrians in the area and ensure that dogs, horses and other animals are not in the construction zone to ensure the safety of all.

Overnight lane closures scheduled on Interstate 10 at Ina Road May 11

Westbound Interstate 10 at Ina Road will be narrowed to one lane overnight from 10 p.m. Thursday, May 11, to 5 a.m. Friday, May 12, for pavement work.

The work is part of the Interstate 10/Ina Road traffic interchange reconstruction project.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions and closures, but it’s possible that unscheduled impacts might occur because of weather or other factors. For the most current information about highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

For more information about this project, please call Paki Rico, ADOT senior community relations officer, at 520.388.4233 or email prico@azdot.gov  or visit the website at http://azdot.gov/inati. 

Marana Water News: Marana Wins Big AZWater Conference

Last week several of our staff were able to attend the 90th annual AZ Water Association Conference and Exhibition in Phoenix. This annual conference is where many of our staff are able to hear what is going on in the water industry, learn about new projects and products, and get their required education credits for their certifications.

We have mentioned AZ Water in our stories in the past, and this conference highlights one of the biggest services the association provides its members. As a section of the American Water Works Association and the member association for the Water Environmental Federation, the mission of the association is to preserve and enhance Arizona’s water environment. Needless to say, this is the place to be if you are a water professional in Arizona. 

The conference consists of many facets and educational tracks. In addition to the typical presentations and panel discussions, the conference also has operator training and practice testing, meter construction competitions, a student poster contest, raffles, and this year the Arizona Pure Water Brew Challenge team was onsite giving tours of the portable water treatment truck as well as training volunteers for upcoming events promoting the Challenge. The photos below show the truck, the water treatment system installed inside, and volunteers learning how they can participate. This treatment system will head to locations around the state to allow Arizona brewers to use treated wastewater to brew beers for the competition to be held at the WateReuse Association national symposium this September in Phoenix. For more information on the Challenge click here.

The conference is broken up into several tracks for attendees to gain knowledge and experience in a variety of areas. Wastewater treatment, water resources, wastewater collections, water reuse, water distribution, safety, water treatment, energy, utility management, and many more are all brought together in one place. Our water operator, Justin, who attended this year, said “I liked the abundance of classes offered at the conference, as well as the interaction with other vendors and operators. I learned to think outside of the box. There are a number of obstacles we face today and I gained appreciation for what departments have to go through to complete projects.” Justin is able to bring back that knowledge and excitement and share it with the other operators and staff. This is one of the major benefits of our professional development program.

Mike with AZWater president Marie receiving his award for Operator of the Year - Wastewater Treatment Plant: Small System

We are also proud to announce that Marana Water won two awards this year!  In recognition of our large reinvestment into the water system through electrical upgrades, reservoir maintenance, SCADA, and employee education and training our Water Distribution team was awarded Water Distribution System of the Year: Small System. Secondly, Mike O., our Chief Water Reclamation Operator, was selected as Operator of the Year – Wastewater Treatment Plant: Small System. This is in recognition of the the hard work our water reclamation team has done facing incredible challenges at a near capacity plant while continuing to operate at an incredibly efficient level. Way to go everyone!

Members of our water distribution team with Director John and AZWater President Marie accepting the award for Water Distribution System of the Year: Small System.

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Expect brief delays on Interstate 10 at Ina Road Sunday morning, May 7

Drivers should expect brief, intermittent delays on Interstate 10 at Ina Road on Sunday, May 7, 6-10 a.m.

Arizona Department of Transportation crews will be placing utility lines over I-10 as part of the Ina Road project. Drivers should expect delays lasting up to 15 minutes in both directions. Law enforcement officers will be on site to direct traffic.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions and closures, but it’s possible that unscheduled impacts might occur because of weather or other factors. For the most current information about highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

For more information about this project, please call Paki Rico, ADOT senior community relations officer, at 520.388.4233 or email prico@azdot.gov  or visit the website at http://azdot.gov/inati. 

Marana Water News: Drinking Water Week is Here!

Beginning next week, the American Water Works Association along with hundreds of water utilities and water companies around the country will be celebrating National Drinking Water Week. These celebrations have been going for over 35 years. Officially designated in 1988, the first full week of May marks when we, as an industry, bring special attention to the vital role water plays in our daily lives.

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This year’s theme is “Your Water – To Know it is to Love it” with the goal of promoting to our customers how important water is and how they can help appreciate this vital resource. The hope is to draw attention to the personal connection we all have with water. One way is to learn how to fix leaky pipes in and around your home. By quickly finding and repairing leaks, it helps to conserve water and to keep water bills lower. A few tips for leak inspections can be found the graphic to the right.

While finding and repairing leaks is an important part of maintaining your home, there are also many ways to care for your home’s pipes in a preventive way. Wrapping pipes during the freezing winter months, checking for proper water pressure, ensuring only flushable items go down the drains, and much more all contribute to a healthy maintenance program. Click here for more information on caring for your pipes. We have many resources for our customers to help with water conservation. Check out our Water Conservation page here to find out who we are partnering with to promote conservation.  

There are even activities directed for kids and teachers to help learn and understand the water cycle and its importance to our daily lives. This has videos, interactive games, and educational materials you can use at home or school to promote healthy water knowledge. Click on the two links below for a maze and coloring sheet.

Maze

Coloring Sheet

We hope you find a way to celebrate 2017 Drinking Water Week next week. Let us know how you celebrate by clicking the link below.

I celebrated Drinking Water Week by...

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Skip Brunch, Get Active, and Celebrate Mom!

What’s brunch, anyway? Waffles at 11am? A travesty! This year, celebrate Mother’s Day with a jaunt in the park. Marana’s 4th Annual Mother’s Day 5K is the perfect opportunity to burn off those Easter calories (those Cadbury eggs sure didn’t eat themselves), and you won’t want to miss this casual, family-friendly walk/run beginning at beautiful Gladden Farms Park. And to top it all off, every mom gets a rose at the finish line. Still thinking about brunch? We didn’t think so.

To make this year’s event even better, Marana has partnered up with the Marana Community Food Bank to help collect donations on race day. All items will directly benefit the local community. In particular, the Food Bank is hoping to collect canned meats and veggies, canned soups, cereal, canned tomato products, bulk rice and beans, peanut butter, and canned fruit.

This year, try something different and celebrate your mom with an invigorating run/walk in beautiful north Marana. Are you yourself a mom? Bring the family along! Make them fete you! Make them jog as they carry your palanquin along the route! You deserve it.

Fun Summer Programs in Marana

School’s out for summer! School’s out forever! (Editor’s note: Marana schools are, in fact not out forever—first day back is August 7—nor do they endorse Alice Cooper.)

So what are you up to this summer? Are you a teenager with some free time on your hands? How about a parent wanting to find a new exercise routine? A retiree looking to meet new friends? Whoever you are, Marana Parks and Recreation has a summer program for you. With options including fitness for all ages, youth day camps, sports leagues, and art classes, there’s something for everyone.

Fitness

This summer, it’s time to hop off the treadmill and inject some fun into your fitness regimen. Try the Barre Above workout, a format that uses Pilates, yoga, and aerobics infused into a dancer’s strengthening exercises. Dancers who prefer Sean Paul over Tchaikovsky may want to check out Zumba w/ Janet, which mixes low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party. If martial arts are more your speed, check out Steve Berry’s School of Chun Kuk Do, which combines Korean Tang Soo Do, Japanese Akido, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, and American Boxing. For a course with more of a practical application, consider a self-defense class, offered both exclusively for women, as well as for families and business professionals. If you still haven’t seen your jam, why not give aerobics a spin? With classes both in the dance studio and in the pool, you’re guaranteed to get that blood-pumping, full-body workout.

Youth Camps

School vacations are the perfect occasion to embrace some non-traditional learning opportunities. Classrooms are great for some things, but there’s nothing quite like a day camp to learn about science, architecture, and much more. In the Pre-School Fine Arts program, kids aged 3-6 can explore their creative sides and launch their artistic careers early. With elements of storytelling, play-acting, and focused art instruction, children will love exploring the limitless worlds of their imagination.  

For an entirely different take on summer camp, check out Create with a Beat, a program aimed at 4-13 year olds. With classes all summer long, this program takes up a new theme each week, and students will play games, create music, and make crafts all centered on that week’s theme. Topics vary widely—one week, students may explore the worlds of art and literature, while another their attention will be penguins and polar bears.

Pima Community College is also offering ½ day camps through the Marana Parks and Recreation this summer as part of Pima for Kids. Students aged 5-17 can learn about robotics, rockets, architecture, and much more. Why wait until you graduate from high school to explore the world of college when you can start today?

Summer Sports

There’s nothing quite like competition to really get the juices flowing, right? Whether you’re competing against your best friend or trying to beat your fastest time, there are plenty of opportunities this summer to unleash your inner athlete.

Junior Golf invites beginners to develop and enhance their coordination and golf fundamentals through weekly lessons. This program offers classes for three different age brackets, so participants will also be able to spend time with their peers. 

For those who love to hit the open road, take a gander at Marana’s cross-country race series. Through this program, you can experience the Sonoran Desert in all its glory as you cruise along in the sunshine. This program isn’t for wimps, but to these hardy souls go all the bragging rights.

Football season is just around the corner, and what better way to prepare yourself than to participate in one of Marana’s flag football clinics? With a targeted camp for both 6-9 year olds and another one for 10-14 year olds, budding NFLers will learn the game of flag football and build confidence in their athletic talents.

If you’re more into hoops and nets than end zones and field goals, check out the basketball clinic. This program is also offered to two age groups—6-9 year olds and 10-14 year olds—and focuses on developing fundamentals, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Little ones may enjoy a more general approach, and that’s why Marana Parks and Recreation is offering the Pee Wee Sports Camp. This one-week noncompetitive camp develops and enhances coordination, fundamentals, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Camp will include, but is not limited to, soccer, t-ball, and P.E. style games.

Finally, Marana is offering two volleyball clinics this summer, one for 9-11 year olds and the other for 12-15 year olds. Get ready for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo as you practice passing, setting, hitting, and serving. Japanese lessons not included.

Art Programs

Ever since Bob Ross first conjured up a pine tree with just a dab of his brush, haven’t we all secretly yearned to don our own paint-splattered frocks? Yearn no more! Carpe artem!

Artistic dilettantes may want to first check out Art Isn’t Scary After All! If you are not sure of your art skills, or think you don't have the skills at all, this is the class for you. Put your hesitations and fears of art aside as you learn different techniques to create and bring your imagination to life. Join in an introduction to different art media and styles while your confidence grows in your hidden art abilities. Our drawing classes will teach step-by-step instructions that help you look at, break down, and then apply new drawing skills to your own masterpiece. Go from "I can't draw a circle" to "I am an artist!”

Do you spend a little too much time on Pinterest and not enough time actually creating your own clever crafts? It’s time to join Tammy at Make and Take Crafts. Expert craftswoman Tammy Burchett will teach you everything you need to know to make a cork board out of actual wine corks, an umbrella door decoration for spring, a daisy wall hanging, and more.

Still not speaking your crafty language? Well then why don’t you join one of our free adult craft groups. These gatherings bring participants together around needlework, knitting, applique, and other fabric crafts. Join them every first, third, and fourth Tuesday, 10am-2pm, at the Marana Parks and Recreation administrative office. Participants should be prepared to bring their own project supplies, as well as lunch, if desired.

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For us desert dwellers, we know how to turn the hot summer months into fun summer months. However you like to spend your free time, you’re guaranteed to find something for you in Marana. Our Parks and Recreation summer catalogue is exploding with opportunity. So start exploring! We’ll see you out there.

Tangerine Roadwork Update, April 28, 2017

On Tuesday, May 2, through Friday, May 5, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, Tangerine Corridor Constructors will reconstruct the Tangerine Crossing exit at Tangerine Road. The traveling public and residents can expect the following traffic control:

• The Tangerine Crossing exit at Tangerine Road will be temporarily closed as the contractor completes work in the area.
• Please use Thornydale Road as a temporary alternate route.

On Thursday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tangerine Corridor Constructors will be working on traffic signals at the intersection of Dove Mountain/Twin Peaks and Tangerine Roads. The traveling public and residents can expect the following:

• All traffic signals at the intersection will be temporarily transitioned to a 4-way, flashing red stop.
• East and westbound right turn lanes on Tangerine will be temporarily closed. Right turns will still be permitted.
• Marana Police will be onsite to help direct traffic. 
• Expect slight delays.

W. Cortaro Farms Rd. and N. Hartman Ln. Manhole Foundation Rehabilitation

Alpha Underground Construction will be repairing manhole foundations on Tuesday, April 24, 2017 and ending on May 5, 2017.  Rehabilitation will begin at 9:00 am and be completed by 3:00 pm, weather permitting.  Traffic will be down to one lane to direct traffic.

Directional signs and traffic control devices will be set up to guide vehicles around the work.

For your safety and that of the contractor’s personnel, please comply with all traffic control devices, flagging personnel, and/or detour signs. Travel time through the project area may increase during construction so please adjust your schedule accordingly. Construction may restrict traffic lanes and create congestion. Taking alternate routes is suggested.

If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice. 

Stay up-to-date on Town of Marana news, projects, and events. Visit MaranaAZ.gov, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

Manager Message: Marana Celebrates 40 Years Since Incorporation at Annual State of the Town Address

This Manager Message was originally published in the April 26, 2017 edition of the Marana News. 

Every year, the Town of Marana and the Chamber of Commerce host a State of the Town luncheon to share with the community all that’s happening in Marana. On Friday, April 14, we gathered once again to reflect not only on the activities of the past year, but also on the Town’s accomplishments over the past forty years. In 1977, a small group of neighbors took the bold step of incorporating themselves into their own town, and all around us we can see the incredible results of that decision.

In reflecting on what has allowed Marana to succeed, we start with our values of dedicated service, respect, teamwork, and engaged innovation. Our core mission at the Town is to serve our residents. Whether we’re filling a pothole or coming up with a program to assist neighbors organizing community clean-up efforts, our single-minded focus is on figuring out how best to help our residents.

To deliver that level of service, we strongly believe that we need to foster a culture of respect. For example, we’re currently planning next year’s budget. This process requires constant compromise as we determine how to provide a wide array of community services while adhering to the highest standards of fiscal responsibility. It isn’t always easy to make these trade-offs, but our culture of respect allows us collaborate for the benefit of all Marana residents.

Teamwork is our third core value here at the Town. Nearly every initiative we embark on requires many people to work together, to pull in the same direction. Take our Star Spangled Spectacular, for example. This event requires huge contributions from our Parks and Recreation staff, police officers, public works employees, and many more. With everyone pitching in, this event has been a huge success, year after year.

Finally, when you mix respect and teamwork, you get our fourth core value: engaged innovation. Only when colleagues trust each other do they feel comfortable that they can suggest new, and often unexpected, ideas. These ideas can lead to creative solutions for challenging issues. A great example is the Project Ina app, which is helping businesses along Ina Road during construction. By linking our Technology Services team with our Development Services Center, we were able to create an innovative tool that is increasing exposure for businesses throughout a long period of roadwork. Download the Project Ina app today on your smartphone and stay connected with Marana businesses and construction updates.

Altogether, our core values help the Town connect the community in meaningful ways. We have literal connections across Marana, including the Shared-Use Path that winds through Continental Ranch, as well as the network of trails in Dove Mountain. We also have abstract connections, like the Marana Citizens’ Forums, which brings together representatives from all walks of life to tackle complex issues. Last year, the Citizens’ Forum made a series of recommendations for Marana’s Development Services Center, which has made major updates as a result of these suggestions.

Community connections, in turn, help shape Marana’s sense of place. We want residents to feel a strong pride in Marana, that living here isn’t like living anywhere else. One way we do that is through our approach to traffic enforcement. The Marana Police Department believes strongly in vigilantly patrolling our streets to ensure safe driving. Every year, Marana police officers make more and more traffic stops, but at the same time, they write fewer and fewer citations. We believe that when officers engage with residents, when they have a conversation about why it’s important to come to a complete stop or drive within the speed limit, that’s often more effective than imposing a hefty fine. Most important, since we’ve adopted this philosophy, we’ve seen the number of traffic collisions decline, year after year.

Finally, we strongly believe that it is essential for us always to think far into the future. How will Marana grow twenty years from now? How are we preparing for that growth? One major effort we’re currently working on is construction of an updated wastewater treatment plant and recharge basin. This project will allow the Town to replenish the aquifer beneath our feet, a process that earns us water credits. These water credits in turn allow us to receive more water, which then allows for more growth. Though the new treatment plant and recharge basin require a significant financial investment, they represent the critical infrastructure that Marana needs to foster healthy growth and a strong local economy.

By reporting annually on Marana’s State of the Town, we aim to engage our residents to provide valuable information on where we are and where we’re going. If you want to stay up-to-date with all that’s going on in Marana, we encourage you to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and visit the Town’s website at www.MaranaAz.gov.  And please, use any of these platforms to provide your own input on how we can continue to make this community great now and for many years into the future.

Watch the complete State of the Town Address

Marana Water News: 47th Annual Earth Day

April 22 marked the 47th annual celebration of Earth Day. Founded by Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, Earth Day is intended to bring awareness to things we can do to preserve our environment. Some say that this movement in 1970 was a spark for the creation of the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Now, it is celebrated all over the world. Click through the gallery below for some photos taken from the International Space Station showing the beauty of our planet including our own Arizona wonder, the Grand Canyon.

This year there was a focus on environmental and climate literacy and the importance of science in keeping our planet healthy. At Marana Water, we depend on science to keep our utility running smoothly. Each day we use engineering, chemistry, geology, hydrology, and many other scientific disciplines to ensure that our system is running smoothly and efficiently.

Earth Day is a reminder of the things we can be doing all year long to protect our environment. Reducing water use, carpooling, recycling, and planting trees will all help increase the sustainability of our community and planet. Think Globally, Act Locally has been taken on as a way to remember that the things we do in our backyards can have an effect on the world around us. Our team at Marana Water is working hard to ensure we have sustainable water infrastructure, but also the proper water resources necessary for our growing community. Click on the button below to tell us how you celebrated Earth Day!

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Marana Soliciting Vendors for 2017 Star Spangled Spectacular

On July 4, Marana will host its annual Independence Day celebration, the Star Spangled Spectacular, at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park. Last year, this event attracted over 15,000 people to enjoy live entertainment, play field games, hang out in the beer garden, and, of course, watch the eye-popping firework show.

If you would like to be a vendor at this year's event, let us know today! We are looking for vendors of all stripes. Whether you sell gourmet hot dogs, refreshing ice cream, or street tacos, we'd love to have you. Craft vendors, non-profits, local businesses, and other non-food vendors are also invited to submit an application.

Sign up soon, though, because space is limited.