Article originally published in the Marana News. Click here to view.

It’s a new year! That means new beginnings, a new season, and a new chance to do great things in Marana.

January 1 marked the start of our temporary half-cent sales tax increase to pay for the design and construction of a new multi-generational community center and aquatic center. This amazing facility will serve the needs and preferences of all members of the community, including children, teens, young adults, adults, seniors, and the special needs population. Our future attendees can expect to see an indoor gymnasium, weight training areas, cardio fitness space, group exercise rooms, meeting rooms, and more. We are so excited to bring this new level of service to the community.

With more families moving to Marana every day, we are working to expand our high-quality recreational amenities and services. Two full-sized regulation-lighted soccer fields will be added at Gladden Farms Community Park with a grand opening scheduled for this Spring. The fields will be located adjacent to our very popular Gladden Farms Splash Pad along the Loop bike path. Later this year, we will also be adding a dog park.

There’s hustle and bustle at the Marana Regional Airport as we prepare for the addition of an airport air traffic control tower. The airport is classified as a general aviation reliever airport for Tucson International and has a diverse mix of aircraft, parachuting operations, and other aeronautical-related activities. We’ve seen a continued increase in the number of operations that have created the need for a tower to enhance airport safety and security. This will be a multi-year and multi-phase endeavor. Marana is currently working through the siting study and is slated to begin construction by fiscal year 2025.

At the Town of Marana, we pride ourselves on providing 5-star quality service to our residents, businesses, and visitors. As our community continues to grow, staff works hard to anticipate service needs far into the future. Recently, with the input of our residents and businesses, the Town of Marana developed the Make Marana General Plan 2040, the Marana Parks & Recreation Master Plan 2020-2030, and the Marana Economic Development Strategic Plan. With the next few decades of development, recreation, and infrastructure mapped out, what happens next?

That’s where the Marana Strategic Plan comes in.

Every successful organization has not just a vision for the future, but the stepping stones to get there. The Marana Strategic Plan outlines the specific tasks and initiatives to be taken by elected leaders and staff to reach our long-term goals. Unlike the other plans, the Marana Strategic Plan looks at the next 2-3 years and is continually updated to ensure our organization stays on the right path.

We are currently fulfilling Strategic Plan IV, which can be viewed at MaranaAZ.gov/strategic-plan.

With the setting of our new long-term vision, however, the time has come to update this document and create Strategic Plan V.

The Town of Marana has selected CREA afilliates llc from a competitive bid process to assist Town leadership and staff in the development of this important document. Together, we will establish key initiatives and projects for the next few years.

What does this mean for you?

To ensure our short-term actions align with our long-term goals, we need your input. A survey will be shared with the community in a few weeks. Look for it on the Town of Marana website, social media platforms, newsroom, and e-newsletters (subscribe to our newsroom at MaranaAZ.gov/newsroom). Let us know if we’re on the right track. Marana is a community led by its residents, and your voice matters.

We are excited for what this year promises. If you are one for New Year’s resolutions, we encourage you to check out the latest offerings from our Parks & Recreation department at MaranaAZ.gov/recreation. Whether you want to learn a new skill or experience something entirely new, they have something for everyone. Perhaps you want to get out into the community more? Visit DiscoverMarana.org for the latest attractions.