Marana Parks and Recreation receives three statewide awards

Published on September 28, 2026

MARANA, Ariz. — Marana Parks and Recreation received three awards from the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association (APRA) during the association’s annual conference on Aug. 31, recognizing the department’s communications, facilities, and leadership.

Outstanding Media Award

Left to Right: APRA President Tina Royer, Parks & Recreation Superintendent Brandon Laue, Communications Manager Vic Hathaway,APRA Executive Director Kade Nelson

Marana received the Outstanding Media Award for its #CantWaitWednesday campaign, which documented the construction of the Marana Aquatic & Recreation Center (MARC) and built community anticipation for its opening.

The campaign featured a series of videos filmed on location that highlighted construction progress and a sneak peek at the future amenities. The effort was a collaboration among Marana Parks and Recreation, the Town’s communications division, construction partners, Town leadership and community members. Additional outreach included media releases, interviews, flyers, HOA communications and a dedicated episode of the Town’s Real Talk with the Town of Marana podcast.

On May 3, 2025, the MARC opened to nearly 3,000 people. Staff sold 674 memberships by the end of opening weekend and reached more than 10,000 memberships within the first 100 days, marking the campaign a significant success.

Outstanding Facility Award for populations 25,000-100,000

Left to Right: APRA President Tina Royer, Chasse Building Team Director Tracy Schmuker, former Parks & Recreation Director Jim Conroy, Architekton Architect Andrew Marriott, current Parks & Recreation Director Wayne Barnett, APRA Executive Director Kade Nelson.

The MARC also received the Outstanding Facility Award for populations of 25,000 to 100,000. The award recognizes the facility’s design, extensive community input process and role as a recreation destination for residents and the broader region. Marana developed the MARC in response to a community survey in which residents identified a recreation and aquatic center as a top priority. The facility provides an indoor walking track, fitness center, gymnasiums, meeting spaces, competition and recreation pools, diving boards, water slides, zero-depth entry and a splash pad.

Since opening, the MARC has welcomed more than 300,000 visits.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Left to right: APRA President Tina Royer, former Parks & Recreation Director Jim Conroy, APRA Executive Director Kade Nelson.

The third recognition was the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to former Marana Parks and Recreation Director Jim Conroy for more than four decades of service to Southern Arizona’s parks and recreation profession.

Conroy served as director of Marana Parks and Recreation from 2017 until his retirement in 2025. Under his leadership, the department expanded the Town’s parks and recreation offerings and advanced new facilities and amenities throughout the community, including the development of the MARC.

Before joining the Town of Marana, Conroy held leadership roles with Tucson Parks and Recreation and Green Valley Recreation. He has also been active with APRA, including serving as president of APRA’s District 4 and chairing the Le Grand Bike Tour for nearly a decade.

Pictured: Former Parks & Recreation Director Jim Conroy gives his acceptance speech.

“Jim’s leadership and commitment to the parks and recreation profession have had a lasting impact on Marana,” said current Parks and Recreation Director Wayne Barnett. “These awards also recognize the work of the entire Parks and Recreation team and the community partnerships that helped bring our vision of supporting an active Marana to reality.”

About Arizona Parks & Recreation Association

APRA’s annual awards recognize communities and professionals throughout Arizona for excellence in long-range planning, resource management, innovation and the delivery of parks and recreation services. Award applications are reviewed and scored by a committee of parks and recreation professionals with local and national experience.