Over the next six months or more, members will be hearing a lot from GVR about strategic planning. Strategic planning is like a periodic spring-cleaning of an organization. Every rug is lifted and closet opened so stakeholders can make a frank evaluation of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we want to be. GVR’s current five-year strategic plan wraps up this winter. Sometime this spring, members will begin receiving invitations to participate in developing direction for the next five years. Please consider doing so, especially if we don’t tend to hear from you!
What strategic planning is:
• Member- and Board-driven.
• A process by which stakeholders (members, board, staff, partners) review the GVR vision and mission statements and either renew a commitment to them, or make changes.
• An examination of how the vision and mission statements are reflected in current member experiences and organizational operating methods.
• A process of collecting input from members and other stakeholders, including information about GVR’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges.
• An organizational assessment for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges.
• From those reflection and information collection steps, deriving explicit goals that will guide the priorities of the Bboard and staff over the next five years.
• Identifying when each goal will be initiated and completed, defining success, identifying how success will be measured, and describing reporting practices for those engaged in advancing the goal and those charged with monitoring the outcomes.
What it is not:
• A facilities expansion or enhancement plan. Specific expansion and enhancement projects are strategies that may be implemented to advance higher goals.
• A set of staff work plans. Annual work plans for both board and staff, annual budgets, communications and marketing plans, and a comprehensive, functional organizational structure will still be required. These, among others, are often referred to as “supporting plans.”
• Wholly prescriptive. A good strategic plan will include a balance of explicit measures and underlying principles that together, facilitate the pursuit of unexpected opportunities that are consistent with the overarching intent of the plan.
Desert Hills
Canoa Ranch
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
APRIL BOARD & COMMITTEE MEETINGS
BOARD SPECIAL MEETING
Wednesday, April 1, 2–4pm, West Center Room 2 / Zoom
BOARD SPECIAL MEETING
Wednesday, April 8, 3–4pm, West Center Room 2 / Zoom
FISCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, April 21, 1:30–3pm, West Center Room 2 / Zoom
BOARD REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, April 22, 2–4pm, West Center Auditorium / Zoom
INVESTMENTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, April 29, 9–10am, West Center Room 2 / Zoom
Any change in meeting status will be announced on the GVR website calendar.
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
In a regular meeting on Wednesday, March 18, the Board of Directors took the following actions:
• Approved maintaining the current Complimentary Guest ID policy in Part 1, 1.2.1.A.5.b. with the caveat: until an equitable solution can be identified, staff will monitor abuse and report to the Board quarterly.
• Approved FAC recommendation on use of surplus to direct staff to leave the 2025 operating surplus in GVR’s operating cash fund.
• Approved Nellie Johnson as Chair of the Ad Hoc GVR/GVR Foundation Committee; allowing Kathi Bachelor to remain on the Ad Hoc Committee as member-at-large.
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
DIRECTORS
Board of Directors Special Meeting on April 1 determines the GVR Board Committee Chairs.
GVR BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Audit Committee: Bev Lawless
Board Affairs Committee: Candy English
Fiscal Affairs Committee: Nellie Johnson
Investment Committee: Lanny Smith
Nominations & Elections Committee: Beth Dingman
Planning & Evaluation: Steve Reynolds
Email: Board@GVRec.org
Can’t attend a meeting in person?
Scan this QR code for ZOOM meetings.
Did You Know?
You can view GVR highlights from the past year on the website? Simply visit the ABOUT GVR tab, and click the 2025 Year in Review link at the top of the page to see a snapshot of everything that happened across the organization.
Last year included many updates and accomplishments across departments. Staffing remained a key focus, with both full-time and part-time team members supporting programs and services. A new KUDOS program was also introduced to recognize staff contributions. The Board of Directors and committee members contributed many volunteer hours while serving the community and supporting governance.
Member access remained active through guest passes, tenant passes, and LifeCare passes. See what year GVR members were born and learn which birth year is the most popular.
Across the centers, thousands of square feet of facilities were maintained, and numerous work orders were completed. Several projects were achieved in 2025. Find out what projects, goals, and improvements are planned for 2026.
Events continued to bring members together, attracting strong attendance and volunteer support. Popular programs included sold-out events, food and beverage service, Lunch and a Movie, and special features like Dancing with the Stars (watch the winning dance video!).
Clubs, leisure education, and fitness programs also thrived, offering a wide range of activities—from sports and arts to classes, training, and wellness opportunities.
The slide show is fun and informative. Check it out!
Play
BINGO, Support Your Community
Spend your Monday afternoons this April playing BINGO, where you can try your luck, win cash prizes, and support important community initiatives.
The GVR Foundation hosts games on April 6 and 20, with all proceeds benefiting the Member Assistance Program (MAP). This program supports members facing financial challenges by helping cover annual dues, so they can remain active and connected in the community.
On April 27, the Lions Club holds its regular fourth-Monday BINGO. Funds raised from this event go toward Sight for Kids, a program that provides vision care support for children.
For all games, doors open at 3pm, sales begin at 3:45pm, and play starts at 5pm. Events are held at the West Center Auditorium, 1111 South GVR Drive.
Children’s Pool Hours
West Center
Weekdays: Noon–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.
Classes offer something for everyone
April is here, and it’s a wonderful time to refresh your mind, body, and spirit, and GVR has plenty of ways to help you do just that,
Give your mind a lift with classes such as Quality Sleep or Algebra Made Easy.
Get moving with a wide range of activities including Aquatics, Biking, Breathwork, Pilates, Stretching, Strong Bones, Yoga, and Zumba.
If you are looking for something uplifting, try Qigong for Vitality, step into line dancing or tap, or enjoy singing with Sing Along to Golden Melodies or Bathtub Singers. Creative minds can explore Art, Ceramics, Jewelry, Glass, Woodworking, or even Greek Cooking.
Prefer to be out in nature? You can learn about Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises; Shorebirds; or Discovering Desert Critters.
Whatever sparks your interest, we aim to offer something for everyone. And if you do not see a class you have been hoping for, please let us know. We always enjoy hearing your ideas and feedback at classes@gvrec.org. Register anytime online at GVRec.org.
APRIL 2026
WEDNESDAY
FREE: Morning Game Lounge 10am–12pm
Del Sol Clubhouse Paint & Sip 1–3pm
Del Sol Clubhouse
GVR Foundation Bingo 3–7pm WC Auditorium
Anza
Everly Bros 7–8:30pm
Auditorium FREE: Trivia 4:30–6:30pm Del Sol Clubhouse
FREE: Morning Game Lounge 10am–12pm Del Sol Clubhouse GVR Foundation Bingo 3–7pm WC Auditorium
Motown: Joe Bourne 7–8:30pm WC Auditorium
Tribute: Tom Jones & Engelbert Humperdinck 7–8:30pm WC Auditorium Showtime GVR Photography Club 2–4pm DH Auditorium
&
Bingo
Trivia 4:30–6:30pm
Free Lecture: GV Gardeners
9:30-11am, WC Auditorium
Cases & Couch Cushions 10am–12pm Del Sol Clubhouse Lunch & a Movie
12:30–4pm, WC Auditorium
Amigas Meet & Greet 4–5:30pm, SRS Anza room
lecture: GV Gardeners 9:30–11am WC Auditorium
Sing & Sip Karaoke with KJ Siggy 4–7pm Del Sol Clubhouse
Poolside Saturday Night Dance Club 6–8:30pm SRS Anza room
Class registration starts Monday, April 13
Dance: Hardscrabble Road 6–9pm WC Auditorium
FREE: J&J Karaoke 4–7pm Del Sol Clubhouse
APRIL ART EXHIBITS
Amigas Coffee Time 9–10:30am SRS Anza room
AmigOs Meeting 9–10am EC Auditorium Civic Orchestra of Tucson 3–5pm WC Auditorium Saturday Night Dance Club 6–8:30pm SRS Anza room
Canoa Hills – Richard Paige
Desert Hills – Santa Rita Art League
East Center – Santa Rita Art League
Las Campanas – Santa Rita Art League
West Center – Susanne Phillips
Keep your eyes and ears open for GVR news in KGVY’s community quarterly newspapers and on the air! Register for April classes
Why it is important:
If diligently implemented and monitored, a strategic plan provides:
• Continuity
+ Eases staff and board succession which makes for a smoother member experience
+ Identifies operating principles that provide guidance in the course of an unexpected disruption (i.e. natural disaster, economic crisis, pandemic)
• Conflict mitigation and sharpened focus
+ Unexpected proposals and opportunities are readily weighed against the established plan: “Does this opportunity advance a current goal? Is this proposal consistent with the principles derived from the mission and stakeholder member feedback? How will pursuit of this opportunity affect the goals not yet completed?”
• Predictability and accountability
+ Members, staff, and Directors can anticipate that tasks and activities will occur within the context of the plan.
+ Progress reporting processes and success are defined before goals are launched. No goal-post moving.
• Workflow control
+ Goals are created with capacity and annual work plans in mind, to ensure that the goals, as well as current essential tasks, can be pursued with the resources required for excellent outcomes
Members can expect GVR’s 2026 strategic planning process to look like this:
• Through a request for proposals (RFP) process, the Board will select a qualified consultant to begin facilitating the process in May of 2026.
• Gather information from members via surveys, 1:1 and group interviews, focus groups
• Gather information from Directors, staff, and partners
• Approve updated mission and vision statements, if necessary.
• Establish goals derived from the information gathering stage
• Identify strategies
• Publish the plan in October, 2026, alongside the 2027 operating budget that will be designed to support the first year of the plan
• Report progress to the membership annually
GVR Fitness—
There’s something for everyone!
All six GVR fitness centers are furnished with a variety of equipment and activities to keep you in shape. Whether you like to hit the weights and machines on your own, join group training classes, or level up with some personal training, the fitness program has something to offer. The Desert Hills center includes a dedicated fitness studio and a boxing gym.
Fitness centers are open 5:30am–9pm seven days a week:
• Canoa Hills — 3660 S Camino del Sol
• Canoa Ranch — 5750 S Turquoise Mountain Drive
• Desert Hills — 2980 S Camino del Sol • East Center — 7 S Abrego Drive
• Las Campanas — 565 W Belltower Drive
• Santa Rita Springs — 921 W Via Rio Fuerte
Fall Registration 2025—first morning waiting eagerly outside the Box Office.
2026 Election Results
How the GVR Board of Directors election works:
Each property is entitled to one vote. In the 2026 election, 2,644 properties submitted ballots with a total of 7,407 votes cast.
Committees play a crucial role in shaping the future of the organization by collaborating on important issues, driving meaningful change, and providing valuable input that influences key decisions and policies. On April 1, committee chairs will be appointed.
Pool Flicks
FREE at West Center Pool
Register for dive-in movie nights starting at dusk (usually around 7:15pm), weather permitting. Grab your floaties, purchase some concession snacks, and enjoy a movie under the stars: poolside or floating in the pool.
For Good Wednesday, April 15
April 29
Find more information and application forms online at GVRec.org under the Governance tab (click Committees).
Please, submit your application to Nanci no later than 4pm on April 3. Questions? Contact Nanci Moyo at: NanciM@GVRec.org.
Events
Tuesday, April 7, 7pm Everly Brothers
Forever Everly combines live music and film to explore the story and influence of The Everly Brothers. Jared Mancuso and Nick Gallardo perform the hits live alongside the movie with classic songs from The Everly Brothers, The Beatles, Paul Simon, and more. Bring your own beverage. West Center Auditorium; Member/Guest $35; General Public $55
Saturday, April 25, 3pm Civic Orchestra of Tucson
The Civic Orchestra of Tucson presents an afternoon of symphonic music blending classical masterworks with popular favorites. Bring your own beverage. West Center Auditorium; Member/Guest $15; General Public $35
Friday, April 10, 7pm
Valens to Valli
International performer
Nick Gallardo delivers powerhouse vocals, charm, and charisma in a tribute to Ritchie Valens and Frankie Valli, blending heart, humor, and nostalgia with authentic flair. Bring your own beverage.
West Center Auditorium; Member/Guest $35; General Public $55
Tuesday, April 28, 7pm
Tom Jones & Engelbert Humperdinck
“Back to Back” with Armen Dirtadian and David Fanning features charttopping hits like Delilah, She’s a Lady, and Please Release Me in a night of powerful vocals, charm, and classic favorites. Bring your own beverage. West Center Auditorium; Member/Guest $30; General Public $50
Tuesday, April 14, 7pm Joe Bourne & Cream of the Crop
Joe Bourne and his ninepiece band bring the golden era of Motown to Green Valley with smooth, soulful vocals from The Temptations and The Supremes to Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Enjoy GVR’s beverage service. No outside drinks are allowed. West Center Auditorium; Member/Guest $35; General Public $55
Saturday, May 9, 11am Mother’s Day Brunch
Celebrate the amazing moms, grandmothers, and mother figures in your life with a delicious spread of brunch favorites, from sweet treats to savory delights. Las Campanas; GVR Members/Guests $40; General Public $60
Friday, April 17, 6pm Hardscrabble Road
This favorite local band delivers a lively performance perfect for dancing or hanging out with friends. Enjoy GVR’s food & beverage service. No outside food or drinks are allowed. West Center Auditorium; Member/Guest $5; General Public $25
Monday, May 18 at 9am Whipple Observatory Day Trip
Discover the Whipple Observatory on a guided walking tour, with time to explore the Science Center and enjoy a relaxed picnic lunch (choose boxed lunch or bring your own). Del Sol Clubhouse/ Whipple Observatory; GVR Members/Guests $79; General Public $99; Add a boxed lunch for $16.50
