Guest View-Tony D'Angelo: What's Next For Community Center Operations

What’s Next for Community Center Operations?
There are two very different aspects of Parks and Recreation in Oro Valley. There are the traditional amenities—playgrounds, ball fields, trails, multi-use paths, and cultural venues like Steam Pump Ranch. Most of these assets are paid for by tax proceeds and grants. Only about 10% of operating costs and capital investments come from user fees.

Fee-Based Recreational Facilities
The other part of Parks and Recreation includes amenities for which users pay fees. These include the Community Center health club, the Overlook Restaurant, El Conquistador Golf, El Conquistador Tennis, pickleball courts, and the Aquatic Center. Because these facilities are owned and operated by the town, they are not considered “for profit” but are managed with the goal of offsetting most expenses through user fees. Currently, user fees cover approximately 60% of the costs associated with these assets. Not only do these assets meet the needs of Oro Valley residents, but they also attract and serve visitors. Should both aspects of Parks and Recreation be managed together and in the same way?

A Shift in Oro Valley's Growth
We are at a point in the evolution of Oro Valley where growth through land development is reaching its limit. To meet the future needs of our community, Economic Development is exploring alternative ways to generate revenue. Our fee-based community recreational assets already contribute to a tourism strategy.

Investing in Fee-Based Assets
Leveraging fee-based assets requires investments to maintain the quality needed to attract the desired audience. These facilities must be well-maintained, aggressively marketed, and managed in ways that balance their use to serve both residents and visitors. To achieve this, we should consider creating an enterprise entity for fee-based recreational assets to ensure they are mostly self-funded. This could involve establishing a separate taxing authority. Fees need to remain affordable for residents while being sufficient to cover operating costs and future capital needs to maintain the quality expected to attract and serve visitors and businesses in Oro Valley.

Current Management vs. Revenue Potential
Currently, revenue-generating assets are managed in the same way as non-revenue-generating facilities that are freely accessible to the community. The distinction between these types of assets is clear. For example, Kriegh Park is a general-use facility for baseball and softball, with a playground and walking path—all mostly free. In contrast, the adjacent Aquatic Center is a revenue-generating facility that hosts swim meets and supports the town’s sports tourism strategy.

Enhancing Economic Development
Revenue-generating facilities should be strategically used to support the town’s economic development, specifically through sports and recreational tourism. These facilities need focused attention to ensure they achieve the goal of bringing visitors and their spending to the community.

Proposal: A Commission That Reports to the Council
Assigning an accountable commission that reports to the council to oversee fee-based facilities from a business perspective is more appropriate than using valuable Town Council resources to discuss operational details, such as dust abatement on the El Conquistador Course. Many communities have established enterprise funds or similar oversight organizations to manage user-fee-based recreational operations. This model could be applied in Oro Valley.

The Challenge Ahead
Our Parks and Recreation staff does an excellent job managing a diverse range of assets. The challenge going forward is determining whether it is realistic for them to manage everything in a way that best serves both residents and the town’s economic future.

I believe exploring this alternative is worth debating.

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Tony D'Angelo is a long-time Oro Valley resident and President of the Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf. 

Oro Valley Police Department: A Year of Safety, Achievements, and Holiday Tips

OVPD's commitment to community safety and gratitude
As the year comes to a close, the Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) extends heartfelt thanks to the community for its unwavering support. This appreciation spans kind words, meals delivered to the station, artwork from children, and the significant volunteer hours contributed by members of the Citizen Volunteer Assistants Program (CVAP). OVPD acknowledges the essential role of community involvement in making Oro Valley one of the safest places to live.

Recognition as a leading safe city in Arizona
In 2024, Oro Valley was recognized as the second safest city in Arizona by SafeWise.com, based on FBI crime statistics. The town notably held the lowest violent crime rate in the state. This achievement underscores OVPD’s dedication to public safety and reflects its commitment to maintaining a high quality of life for all residents.

Advancements in accreditation and safety programs
OVPD’s Emergency Communications Center reached a milestone by achieving accreditation through the Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ALEAP), becoming only the second agency in Arizona to do so. The rigorous process, accomplished in under a year, demonstrates the department’s focus on excellence. Additionally, the Dark House Program continues to provide peace of mind to residents traveling during the holiday season by offering regular checks on vacant homes.

Securing grants for enhanced service
The department successfully secured federal and state grants totaling approximately $380,000. These funds supported various initiatives, such as overtime pay, safety equipment, and recruitment efforts. Notably, the grants facilitated traffic safety enforcement and the procurement of ballistic vests, ensuring that budget constraints do not hinder critical services.

Successful community events and outreach
The annual National Night Out at Oro Valley Marketplace, featuring over 50 displays and record attendance of more than 6,000 participants, highlighted OVPD's strong community ties. The department's Community Resources Unit also conducted multiple programs, including Citizens Academies, crime prevention talks, and Dispose-A-Med events that collected significant amounts of unused drugs, showcasing their proactive approach to engagement.

Promoting holiday safety and responsible celebrations
As the holiday season approaches, OVPD reminds residents to stay vigilant against crimes like burglary and purse-snatching, especially in busy shopping environments. The department also urges responsible celebrations, noting that impaired driving poses risks to everyone. OVPD emphasizes that enjoying the festivities safely ensures a happier holiday for all.

But if you are involved in a traffic accident
In the event of a minor traffic accident, OVPD advises drivers to exchange essential information, including names, addresses, vehicle registration numbers, and driver’s license details, as required by Arizona law (A.R.S. 28-663A). It is also important to offer reasonable aid to anyone injured by calling 911. Even for minor accidents, contacting OVPD to document the incident is recommended, as insurance companies often request a police report number during claim processing. In Oro Valley, it is acceptable to call 911 for any police assistance, ensuring that details are accurately recorded and protecting against potential disputes.
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Source: Oro Valley Police Department crime fighter newsletter, November 2024

Bits and Pieces

Arizona Heroes Memorial dedication is tomorrow
The Arizona Heroes Memorial will officially open on tomorrow, marking a major milestone in honoring veterans, first responders, and healthcare workers. The ribbon cutting ceremony is at 11am. This initiative began with resident Dick Eggerding, a dedicated Oro Valley volunteer who envisioned the memorial in 2015. Supported by community leaders and volunteers, the project secured 2.58 acres at Naranja Park, with initial fundraising efforts in 2017 bolstered by key sponsors. Despite challenges, including delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project gained renewed momentum with new leadership and strong partnerships. The groundbreaking took place in February 2023, with over 300 attendees. The Memorial now stands as a testament to community spirit, resilience, and gratitude, inviting ongoing support and pledges to honor loved ones and maintain this symbol of sacrifice.

Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf need your help
FOPRG is focusing on two initiatives this year: water use advocacy and adaptive golf. This supports their mission to “connect the community through the game of golf.” The water advocacy effort includes gathering data and reaching out to homeowners to encourage conservation. The adaptive golf program targets individuals with physical challenges, inspired by a special golf cart shown at a recent event. Significant fundraising will be needed to support this due to the high cost of the equipment. Click this link if you would like to help: (Source: FOPRG media release)

BizTUCSON features Oro Valley’s growth and thriving economic future
BizTUCSON, a quarterly business magazine showcasing Southern Arizona’s economic landscape, recently featured Oro Valley in its summer edition, written by freelance writer and former Chamber of Commerce President Dave Perry. The articles highlighted Oro Valley’s 50 years of growth from a small bedroom community to a thriving economic center. With a commitment to public safety, quality education, and ample community amenities, the town has attracted major employers like Roche Tissue Diagnostics and Simpleview, as well as a dynamic range of small businesses. The Oro Valley Marketplace is set to transform into the “Oro Valley Village Center,” adding new hotels, apartments, and retail spaces to further enhance local commerce. The town’s proactive leadership continues to create an inviting business environment, solidifying Oro Valley as an ideal place to live, work, and grow. (Source)

Oro Valley secures grant for historic house assessment
The Town of Oro Valley has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the Arizona State Parks’ Historic Preservation Heritage Fund for a Historic Building Condition Assessment (HBCA) of the Proctor-Leiber House at Steam Pump Ranch. The HBCA will document the current state of the 1930s house, aiding future conservation and restoration plans. The assessment’s total cost is $50,000, with the town contributing $20,000 from its Grants Fund. This is the final structure at Steam Pump Ranch awaiting such an evaluation, essential for its potential future use. (Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Council approves Starbucks drive-thru at Tangerine and Innovation Park Drive
Last week, the Oro Valley Town Council discussed two key items related to a proposed office and restaurant development, including a drive-thru coffee shop near Tangerine Road and Innovation Park Drive. The council considered a text amendment to allow access to the coffee shop from Tangerine Road and a conditional use permit for the drive-thru. The property, part of the 1987 Rancho Vistoso PAD, was rezoned in 2008 for commercial use and later included in the Economic Expansion Zone (EEZ). After analysis, including traffic and noise studies, the council approved both items unanimously, affirming compliance with zoning codes and the town’s general plan.

Thanks To All Residents Who Took The "Wordsmith Challenge".

Thanks to all residents who took the Wordsmith Challenge.
Over the past year, residents stopped at booths, took a long survey, and participated in online discussions to share their ideas and expectations for OV’s future. Your voices are now being used to build the community’s next 10-year action plan, known as OV’s Path Forward.

The first step in creating the next 10-year action plan is drafting the vision and guiding principles. Together, they capture residents’ values and priorities for the future. They set the framework for the plan and the foundation for resident working groups to continue building the plan next year.

Refined Draft Vision
Thanks to all residents who reviewed and commented on the draft vision and guiding principles through the Wordsmith Challenge. Approximately 130 residents took the challenge with an additional 81 people providing comments at 15 events held throughout September. See the results from the Wordsmith Challenge HERE.

The draft vision and guiding principles were improved using language provided through the Wordsmith Challenge. Although some general terms are used, most of the phrasing was derived from resident responses received over the past year. These key phrases are underlined in the refined vision statement below.

Oro Valley is a community where all residents have access to valued amenities, activities, services and opportunities to live, work, shop, dine and play. The Town maintains its strong sense of community by prioritizing public safety, natural beauty, scenic views, outdoor recreation, arts and culture.

The draft vision and guiding principles was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission on November 12. It will be presented Town Council on December 4. The vision and guiding principles will remain in draft format until the plan is complete.

Join a resident working group to keep building the plan
Starting in January, resident working groups will forge goals, policies, and implementation actions based on the 8,900+ contributions received by residents over the past year. Do you want a say in OV’s housing goals or how OV manages growth? Are you interested in having more restaurants, retail, family-friendly activities, or things to do? Is water conservation important to you?

Resident working groups will address these topics and more. Groups will meet online, and if-needed, in-person. Members should expect a commitment of roughly 4-6 hours per month. The number of meetings depends on the amount of group members, pace of discussion, and topic area. All residents, especially youth, are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Learn more and sign up for a resident working group here. 

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OVCN’s Expansion: Pastor Collins’ Interview Ignites Resident Concerns

Pastor Collins of Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (OVCN) was interviewed on October 15th by KGUN News to discuss the church’s recent change of plans regarding their expansion.

The original plan
As LOVE has previously reported, OVCN’s original plan was to create a sports-based ministry in a rural neighborhood including an indoor multi-purpose sports complex and an outdoor ballfield with stadium lighting. This plan required a rezoning approval. This has resulted in a 4-year long battle with the neighbors who vehemently oppose this expansion as it will severely impact their rural neighborhood and peaceful way of life.

The revised plan
Although OVCN has not formally withdrawn their original plan, their new plan (revealed during a Neighborhood Meeting at the Town Hall on September 26th) is to build a new sanctuary (for which they are requesting a height variance of 40 feet.) The new plan also includes a student center, maintenance building, and a new parking lot to accommodate approximately 600 more vehicles.

The KGUN Interview
Reporter Kenny Darr stated that, “Pastor Collins believes these plans better align with the church’s mission while minimizing potential concerns from neighbors.”

During the interview, Pastor Collins stated,

“We believe that strong churches make for strong communities and so we want to make a difference for our community. We’re not doing that in any intentional way to disrupt or ruin anybody’s life who happens to be in close proximity to our church property here, but we think there’s a high value in what our church is offering our community, and we want as many people in Oro Valley to be able to benefit from that as possible.”

This prompted numerous rebuttals from residents living adjacent to OVCN and from other Oro Valley residents who have been following this saga for the past four years. Below are excerpts from some of those rebuttals.

A small neighborhood church becomes a megachurch
What began as a small neighborhood house of worship has metastasized into an enormous church. With it has come unbelievable traffic transforming a quiet neighborhood into a huge parking lot not only on Sunday but also on other days when the congregation gathers. Hundreds of cars park on both sides of several streets (no sidewalks) leaving unsafe conditions for people who are walking or jogging, people on horses or bikes, and parents with children in strollers.

Pastor Collins says that he wants to serve the community. Where is this community? Congregants are driving -- not walking to this church. Who knows how far they travel to get to the church. A church is a house of worship. So why then do they want to build a multi-purpose facility? Multi-purpose for what? And then a student center. What does that have to do with worship?

This area is already flood-prone. Adding more blacktop and more buildings is going to be a disaster in the making for residents and the horse stables close by. During monsoon season, these streets are impassable because there is no storm drainage. I personally waded several times through flowing water on Loma Linda to get to my home. And this water came from Calle Concordia.

Name withheld by request

Is it a sanctuary or a basketball court?
It amuses me that the new building (that they want a height variance for) is now called a sanctuary and youth center. At our meeting with Pastor Coulter (5 neighbors met with him on August 1st in the church meeting room) he said they needed the height for two basketball courts with stacking seating for multi-purpose use. RLUIPA (the Federal Religious Land Use Act) states that preferences can be given to churches for “religion related activities.” Since basketball courts do not fall under “religion related activities” they have changed the wording of their variance. But if Planning and Zoning approves the height variance, what is to stop OVCN from putting in the basketball courts, which will increase usage of the property and the traffic to most every day and night -- not just Sundays. Well-played OVCN.

Tricia Tozier

Close Encounters of an unwanted kind
Pastor Collins’ comment, “We believe that strong churches make for strong communities and so we want to make a difference for our community” -- My response is that the neighbors are the primary stakeholders of our community and do not want expansion in our community.

In response to Collins’ other comment, “We’re not doing that (expansion) in any intentional way to disrupt or ruin anybody’s life who happens to be in close proximity to our church property here.” -- It has been made abundantly clear that expansion is not welcome. Unintended consequences are intentional if you are informed of the harm, yet you persist.

OVCN's plans are to circumvent the law by repackaging their rezoning expansion plans into a height-variance expansion plan. The net result and intentional harm to the neighborhood are the same.

If not the community, then who is OVCN's expansion serving? Certainly not Jesus. We can't get out of OVCN traffic to get to our own church on time.

Jennifer Jacobson

OVCN has a history of unintended consequences
Pastor Collins claims that they are not intentionally trying to disrupt the lives of those living near the church. Intentional or not, it doesn’t mean that there won’t be unintended consequences or collateral damage.

Case in point: OVCN has already disrupted the neighbors’ lives with their loudspeakers, loud music, bright lights, and high traffic volume. I'm sure that wasn't "intentional" either, but it happened, nevertheless.

And since the church refuses to withdraw their original rezoning request, that signals to me that they have more up their sleeve for the future (as one neighbor speculated during the Town Hall Neighborhood Meeting, “Is this just the camel’s nose under the tent?”)

Diane Peters
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Oro Valley Town Council Reschedules Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve Restoration To Next Fall

Council Pauses Restoration Effort
At their November 6 meeting, the Oro Valley Town Council discussed the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve restoration project and decided to delay the project until fall 2025. This decision was influenced by two main factors: The need to maximize grant funding and the need to align the work with optimal fall planting season. In addition, Mayor Winfield emphasized that the town should use this time “…to come back with detailed cost estimates and potential project expansions that align with grant eligibility.”

Major Goals: Maximize Grant Funding
The council focused on how to best secure matching funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a federal program that provides grants for outdoor recreational projects. Staff highlighted that the earliest possible approval for the grant would be next August, reinforcing the need to pause the project to align with potential funding timelines. The LWCF will only fund project costs that occur after the grant has been approved, making the delay necessary.

And maximize reseeding acreage
During the meeting, residents expressed their concerns about the limited scope of the proposed 15-acre plan. Longtime resident Phil Zalensky said, “If we only do 15 acres, we’re wasting a lot of money for very little gain,” pointing out that untreated areas could allow invasive species to spread.

Vice Mayor Barrett suggested looking into more cost-effective methods for reseeding, asking, “Is there a possibility of finding out what it would cost to put seed down across the whole site, even if only a portion takes hold?” This idea sparked further discussion among council members about potential approaches that might cover more of the 80-acre site within the current budget. However, consultant Rebecca Field of Kimley Horn emphasized that “just throwing down some seed” would not be effective without proper site preparation and invasive species management.

Restoration has a history of delays
This latest setback is yet another delay in restoring the property. It has been more than three years since the land was given to the town. There have been studies, discussions, and directions provided by the council to staff, but no action has been taken.

The town had commissioned and the council had rejected a master plan study last April.  At that time, the council voted to get a new plan focused on restoration, begin design work on the preserve by this past August, and start restoration by January 15. The town commissioned an experienced desert restoration consulting firm, Kimley-Horn. Their consultant, Rebecca Field, presented a restoration plan that the council unanimously approved in September.

Council seeks staff accountability for not following what council asks them to do

Town staff informed the council in previous meetings that securing the LWCF grant would take time. However, they did not clarify that applying for the grant would result in a project delay of an entire fiscal year. Additionally, it appears that staff was aware of the council’s intent to identify recreational projects at the Preserve that could qualify for up to $1.5 million in matching funds. Despite this, staff did not do this. Instead they identified recreational projects that would qualify for the grant of only $784,150. Thus, they did not execute the directive of the council.

And its up to Town Manager Wilkins make it so

The council requested that staff revisit the plan to better align it with their goals. Ensuring clear communication and alignment between the council’s directives and staff proposals is essential, and it is the responsibility of Town Manager Jeff Wilkins to ensure that council priorities are effectively executed. It his job to get it right.

Pause may actually be a good thing
The council passed resolution [panel above right] emphasizes effectively using the existing $4 million budget. In addition, the resolution directs staff to explore enhancements that could qualify the project for matching grants; and to return with detailed cost estimates on alternative seeding methods. As a result, this pause may be a good thing because it will align spending with potential grant funding opportunities and provide the most cost effective plan for reseeding the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve.

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This Sunday... Kriegh Park... Rockin' 4 Heroes

Rockin’ 4 Heroes: It’s where you’ll want to be!
The time has come – where will you be Sunday?

Oro Valley has so many activities going on over Veterans Day Weekend! Rockin’ 4 Heroes is pleased to see our Veterans held in such high esteem by so many area residents. We would like to invite everyone to the 4th annual Rockin’ 4 Heroes concert on Sunday, Nov 10th. Our event day runs from 12:30pm to 5:30pm. No matter what other activities and celebrations you may attend, Rockin’ 4 Heroes hopes you make time to attend this amazing tribute.

‘The Day’
Besides the great music provided by Tucson’s Mark Miller Country band and Kentucky’s Lexington Lab Band, the day is filled with many activities and surprises. Smooch the Donkey from Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids will be available from 12:30pm – 2pm for photo ops. A flyover is planned with a C-130 Hercules aircraft and two Apache helicopters. Students from the Elite Theater Academy will perform. ‘Community Hero Awards’ will be presented and so much more! Of course, food and beverage for adults and kids will be available.

Find out more!
There’s too much to mention, so we encourage you to visit our social media platforms to learn about the festivities for this tribute to our First Responders, Active Military, Veterans, and Gold Stars.
Website – rockin4heroes.org
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rockin4heroes/?next=%2F&hl=en
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/rockin4heroes/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@Rockin4Heroes

Check these platforms for parking instructions for this free event and all other concert-related information. Our social media allows you to see our amazing performers and details our sponsors and volunteers who help make this day so wonderful. See you on Sunday … you don’t want to miss it!

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