Summer at GVR brings a different rhythm to the community. With the Arizona heat settling in, many members turn to indoor activities and pool-based options to stay comfortable while keeping up with the hobbies and routines they enjoy. GVR offers a wide range of fitness opportunities, classes, social gatherings, day trips, and events throughout the season, giving members plenty of ways to stay connected.
Fitness centers remain a steady favorite and are an appealing indoor option especially during the warmest months. Across six locations, members have access to weights, cardio equipment, fitness studios, group classes, and personal training. Each center has its own mix of amenities, making it easy to rotate between spaces or try something new without stepping far from home. Desert Hills, which continues to be especially popular, offers the newest and largest fitness center, a dedicated studio, and a boxing gym for a variety of ways to stay active.
All fitness centers are open daily from 5:30am–9pm, giving members flexibility to visit when it suits their schedule. Locations: Canoa Hills, Canoa Ranch, Desert Hills, East Center, Las Campanas, and Santa Rita Springs.
You can also stay healthy and engage in learning with summer classes. Offerings include fitness, sports, gardening, wildlife, and language options, with choices for every experience level. Many members use this season to spend more time with hobbies they love while meeting others who share similar interests.
One of the simplest ways to participate casually is through drop-in recreation. Activities include badminton, basketball, billiards, bocce, cornhole, horseshoes, pickleball, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, swimming, water aerobics, and the Canoa Hills indoor walking track. There’s always something happening across the GVR campus.
Another highlight of the season is the Clubhouse Café, which has quickly become a welcoming gathering spot. Members have been enjoying fresh pastries, coffee drinks, and the warm service from the café team, including Stephanie and Sam. As they shared, “We’re excited to bring our expertise as successful franchisees and the knowledge we’ve gained over the years working in these bakeries to GVR and the new Clubhouse Café. We look forward to meeting you, so please stop by and let us be of service next time you’re in the area.”
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CONTACT US — 520-625-3440
Operational matters hotline@gvrec.org
Board policy matters board@gvrec.org
Customer Service 520-625-3440
RECREATION SERVICES
The following centers are open daily from 5:30am–9pm
MAJOR CENTERS
Canoa Hills
Canoa Ranch
Desert Hills East Center
Las Campanas
Santa Rita Springs
West Center
3660 S Camino del Sol
5750 S Turquoise Mtn Dr
2980 S Camino del Sol
7 S Abrego Dr
565 W Belltower Dr 921 W Via Rio Fuerte
1111 S GVR Dr
(520) 631-7151
(520) 631-0761
(520) 631-8060
(520) 631-8072
(520) 631-7068
(520) 631-8092
(520) 631-7909
Center Operations Assistants (Yellow Shirts) 520-343-2440
SATELLITE CENTERS 520-549-9733
Abrego North Abrego South
Casa Paloma I
Casa Paloma II
Continental Vistas
Madera Vista
Del Sol Clubhouse, 3355 S Camino del Sol, 6am–9pm Pickleball Center, 2612 S Camino de la Canoa, 6am–dusk
JUNE BOARD & COMMITTEE MEETINGS
BOARD AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, June 9, 1:30–3pm, West Center Room 2/Zoom
BOARD WORK SESSION
Wednesday, June 10, 2–4pm, West Center Room 2/Zoom
BOARD REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, June 24, 2–4pm, West Center Auditorium/Zoom
Any change in meeting status will be announced on the GVR website calendar.
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
In a special meeting on Wednesday, May 20, the Board of Directors took the following actions:
• Approved the amended survey questions for the GVR 2027-31 Strategic Plan and Member Survey
GVR BOARD
1601 N Abrego Dr
1655 S Abrego Dr
400 W Circulo del Paladin
330 N Calle de las Banderolas
906 W Camino Guarina
440 S Camino del Portillo
GVR BOARD OFFICERS
President: Candy English
Vice President: Steve Reynolds
Secretary: Kristy McCue
Treasurer: Lanny Smith
Assistant Secretary: Jodie Walker
Assistant Treasurer: Nellie Johnson
GVR BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Audit Committee: Dave Barker
Board Affairs Committee: Steve Reynolds
Fiscal Affairs Committee: Lanny Smith
Investment Committee: Bart Hillyer
Email: Board@GVRec.org
Can’t attend a meeting in person?
Scan this QR code for ZOOM meetings.
Strategic Planning: You’re
invited!
Members, if GVR is doing its job, most of you are happily enjoying hobbies, sports, games, art pursuits, classes, and social time. Behind the scenes, keeping fifteen recreation facilities operational and offering fresh programs takes a great deal of intention and focus. With requests from 23,000+ members and many community organizations continuously coming in, focus is essential to success. Strategic plans provide that focus.
The 2022–2026 strategic plan wraps up at the end of this year. Zelos LLC, the consulting firm that helped GVR develop the current plan, is once again on the job, helping the Board and staff collect information and identify goals to pursue over the next five years. Your participation is key!
• June 15: A random sample of the GVR membership will receive an invitation to a survey via email, from Zelos. If you receive this email, PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY. Responses from this group will provide statistically significant data.
• June 15: All GVR members will be welcome to complete the same survey to provide supplemental information about what GVR does well, and where GVR can improve. Look for the link in the Friday eblast, at GVRec. org, and on the main screens of all lobby computers. Watch for information about support sessions when volunteers will be available to help those who don’t use computers. There are no paper surveys.
• June 22–23: Focus groups will meet via Zoom for facilitated conversations about clubs, pools, sports courts, classes, events, and governance.
• August 5: The Board will review the member feedback at a 1pm meeting in the auditorium at West Center.
• August 24–September 23: Zelos will facilitate Board discussions to examine and amend (if needed) the GVR Vision Statement and GVR Mission Statement. Goals will be drafted.
• September 23: The Board will adopt the finalized plan during their regular meeting at 2pm in the auditorium at West Center.
Please pass the word among your member friends about the survey. A robust response will help ensure that the Board and staff focus on providing the GVR you are all here for.
Letter from the President
Dear Members,
Welcome to June at GVR! The Board has lots of information to share as we gear up to celebrate the summer of 2026! To begin, the Board voted in April to approve concept drawings for the South Abrego pool, bathhouse, and other related improvements, so that GVR staff can issue a request for proposals for design-build construction bids. This will allow the Board to consider awarding a design-build contract at the June 24th Board meeting. In related pool improvements, a contract to replaster the West Center pool and spa, renovate the pool deck and complete updates in the locker rooms has been finalized. Las Campanas will also receive a muchneeded face-lift with the expansion to the fitness center and renovations to the locker room and lobby scheduled to begin July 1st.
One of our most important projects is the Board’s progress towards creating our new Strategic Plan. Working with Zelos, LLC, a professional strategic planning consultant company, the Board will develop a new five-year strategic plan (2027–2031) and performance management plan. Part of the scope is an environmental scan component, a random statistically significant survey of GVR members and an online member survey for those who wish to participate but were not randomly selected. This proposed survey will focus on two sections: the Strategic Plan and membership satisfaction. Surveys will be emailed to participants this month, June. We’ll be sharing the Strategic Plan survey links and related information via printed and digital bulletin boards, Facebook, the GVR website, and the GVR center computer kiosks for members without home computer access. There will be no paper surveys this time around. If you receive/request a survey, please complete the questions and answer them as honestly as possible. We need your feedback to make GVR even better than it already is.
Have a wonderful June!
Candy English GVR Board President
A Different Kind of Productivity
Arizona summers have a way of slowing everything down. When the heat settles in, most of us naturally move at a different pace, and that’s not a bad thing. After years of working, raising families, and juggling responsibilities, it can feel good to let the days stretch out a little and focus on things that don’t come with deadlines.
This time of year is great for trying something new without worrying about being great at it. Walking into a class as a beginner can be surprisingly fun, especially when the goal is simply to enjoy yourself. And sometimes that’s enough. Joy doesn’t need a scoreboard.
You might also find yourself following small curiosities. Maybe you’ve wondered about a painting class or thought about picking up an old hobby you haven’t touched in years. There’s room for that kind of wandering interest, even if it doesn’t lead anywhere in particular.
GVR’s leisure education program is designed to offer classes that have a little something for everyone. Classes are held in cool indoor spaces where you can explore, revisit old interests, and connect with others. However you shape your summer, we hope it feels easy, interesting, and entirely your own.
How to Register for Classes
• Monday–Friday, 8am–4pm, in person at 1070 S Calle de las Casitas or by phone at 520-625-3440
• Anytime online at GVRec.org
JUNE 2026
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY
Paint & Sip: Small Courage in Soft Summer 1–3pm Del Sol Clubhouse Café
WEDNESDAY
FREE: RockStar Bingo 10am–12pm Del Sol Clubhouse
FREE: PBS Screening of Grantchester Season 11 2–3:30pm WC Auditorium
FREE: The Curiosity Lounge 10–11:40am Del Sol Clubhouse
Trivia 4:30-6:30pm Del Sol Clubhouse
GVR Foundation Bingo 3–7pm, WC Auditorium GVR Arts Crafts Association Summer 1–4pm, Desert Board of Work Session 2–4pm, WC Room FREE: Dirty Dancing 2pm, WC Auditorium
Singles Club Meeting 9:30–10:30am DH Auditorium
Tai Chi Arts Club new member orientation 12:30pm Desert Hills Fitness Studio Singles Club Meeting 9:30–10:30am DH Auditorium
Singles Club Meeting 9:30–10:30am DH Auditorium Trivia 4:30–6:30pm Del Sol Clubhouse
Tai Chi Arts Club new member orientation 12:30pm Desert Hills Fitness Studio FREE: RockStar Bingo 10am–12pm Del Sol Clubhouse Board Affairs Committee Meeting 1:30–3pm WC Room 2 / Zoom
Bisbee Day Trip
RockStar Bingo 10am–12pm Del Sol Clubhouse
FREE: RockStar Bingo 10am–12pm Del Sol Clubhouse
FREE: RockStar Bingo 10am–12pm Del Sol Clubhouse
GVR Arts Crafts Association Summer 1–4pm Desert Hills, Board of Regular 2–4pm WC Auditorium
13 6 18 11 4 25 19 12 5 26 20 27
Kartchner Caverns Day Trip Amigas Meet & Greet 4–5:30pm
Anza
GVR Steppin’ Out Dance Club Dance
6:15–8:45pm Canoa Hills Rec Center
VIP Win Tour: The Grape Escape to Sonoita Wineries 9:30am–5pm meet at Del Sol Clubhouse FREE:
WNBA Basketball Day Trip: Phoenix Mercury vs. Seattle Storm 8:30am–5pm Del Sol Clubhouse/ Phoenix Arena
GVR AmigOs Meeting 9–10am, EC Auditorium
Amigas Coffee Time 9–10:30am, SRS Anza room
Keep your eyes and ears open for GVR news in KGVY’s community quarterly newspapers and on the air! Register now!
Father’s Day Pool Party
Friday, June 19, 6pm
Join us for good food, great company, and dancing to live music from Johnnie & the Rumblers.
Canoa Hills Poolside
Member/Guest $40
General Public $60
The café, located inside Del Sol Clubhouse at 3355 S. Camino del Sol, is now open seven days a week from 7am–noon. Guests are welcome when accompanied by a GVR member.
If you’re looking for something more adventurous, summer events and outings offer even more ways to share time. This year’s calendar includes Paint & Sip gatherings, a Father’s Day pool party, a free Fourth of July celebration, tribute performances, VIP wine outings, and baseball and basketball day trips.
As we move through the warmest stretch of the year, the spirit of the community shines just as brightly as ever. Whether members are exploring a new class, catching up with friends over coffee, or enjoying a cool dip in the pool, summer at GVR offers countless ways to stay in touch, remain active, and spend time in the company of neighbors. Here’s to a season filled with good health and shared moments!
Brewing Smiles at the Clubhouse Café
The GVR Clubhouse Café is quickly becoming a favorite stop for residents looking to enjoy great coffee, fresh pastries, and friendly service from Sam, Stephanie, and the team. “We look forward to meeting you, so please stop by and let us be of service next time you’re in the area.”
Visit the café inside the Del Sol Clubhouse
3355 S. Camino del Sol
Open daily from 7am–12pm
Children’s Pool Hours
West Center (closed for maintenance until July 31)
Abrego North (during West Center closure) Weekdays: 12pm–9pm Weekends & holidays: ALL day
All other pools Daily: 11am–1pm AND 4–6pm
No guest pass required for kids! Children seventeen and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children six and younger must have an adult in the pool with them at all times.
NEW CLASSES! Small Group Fitness Training
These classes offer personalized guidance in a supportive, low-pressure setting. With focused instruction and a variety of training styles, you’ll build strength, improve mobility, and stay motivated while progressing at your own pace.
• Balance & Core Calisthenics
• Box Your Way to Fitness
• Fit Mix
• Kettle Bell Zone
• Introduction to Resistance Band
Monday, June 1, 1pm
Paint & Sip: Small Courage in Soft Summer
Sip, swirl, and paint with step-bystep guidance from a professional artist. Please bring your favorite beverage, and enjoy light snacks for a playful afternoon of creativity and fun.
Canoa Hills Saguaro Room Member/Guest $40
General Public $60
June and July Events
Friday, June 19, 6pm Father’s
Day Pool Party
Dive into Father’s Day with a fun-filled pool party! Join us for dancing to live music from Johnnie & the Rumblers and a tasty fiesta menu. This is the perfect way to celebrate dads with good food, great music, and an afternoon in the sun. Please bring your favorite beverage.
Canoa Hills Poolside Member/Guest $40 General Public $60
Saturday, July 4, 4pm Celebrate 250 Years of Independence
Join your friends and neighbors for patriotic Independence Day performances and tributes! Dress in red, white, and blue for a chance to be named Best Dressed, and honor our veterans and military during a special slideshow (please email photos to Events@GVRec.org). Enjoy concession snacks and please bring your favorite beverage.
West Center Auditorium Member/Guest FREE (please register)
Purchase tickets online at GVRec.org, by phone 520-625-3440, or in-person at 1070 S. Calle de
June Movies
Catch a film on the big screen at West Center Auditorium and enjoy treats from the concession stand. For movie titles and descriptions, visit GVRec.org and click on the Events, Movies, and Trips icon. All shows are at 2pm.
Free for All
Grantchester Prescreening (Final Season), Tuesday, June 2
Free for GVR Members and their Guests
Dirty Dancing Wednesday, June 10
The Little Mermaid Thursday, June 25
las Casitas.
Grantchester is a popular British detective drama set in the 1950s and 60s.
Day Trips
Tuesday, June 4, 7am Kartchner Caverns
Saturday, June 20, 8:30am WNBA Basketball: Phoenix Mercury vs. Seattle Storm
Watch Phoenix Mercury take on Seattle Storm in an exciting midday matchup, with Pride Day celebrations adding to the atmosphere throughout the game. Round-trip transportation is included.
Del Sol Clubhouse
Member/Guest $109; General Public $129
Tuesday, June 16, 8am Bisbee
Thursdays: June 25, July 23, August 20, 9:30am VIP Wine Tours
The tour dates feature different wineries so you can join us more than once for these Sonoita winery visits!
Spend a delightful day exploring three different wineries where you’ll indulge in three to five tastings at each stop. Round-trip transportation and lunch are included, so all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
Del Sol Clubhouse
Member/Guest $139; General Public $159
The Box Office at West Center is currently closed for lobby renovations. Throughout most of the summer, all member services, including new memberships and course registrations, will be handled through the Administrative Offices at 1070 S. Calle de las Casitas. For inquiries, please call 520-625-3440. Beginning in August, member services will return to West Center in the newly renovated space. Purchase tickets online at GVRec.org, by phone 520-625-3440, or in-person at 1070 S. Calle de las Casitas.
