GVRNOW!
EAST CENTER POOL
East Center opened in 1964 as part of a master-planned community envisioned by Maxon Construction, the original developer in Green Valley. Haven golf course, Villas East and Villas West, the Fairways I neighborhood, and Green Valley Village were all part of that early dream. By 1967, local residents recognized the need to preserve East Center and other planned recreation facilities and formed the Community Recreation Association of Green Valley, which would become Green Valley Recreation a decade later.
In 2019, when babies born the year it opened became eligible to live in the surrounding HOA’s, the pool at East Center began to fail. It was closed in February of 2020. In the weeks before
and after that closure, GVR started the hunt for a new CEO and confronted a global pandemic. This month, nearly three years later, East Center once again has a pool.
The pool design includes feedback provided by a variety of members. Deep water exercisers will enjoy the 8-and-a-halffoot depth on the east end. Folks who enjoy a therapeutic experience will appreciate the 87-degree temperature and shallow side area with plenty of hand rails helpful for exercising. This new pool also has a lap lane—a hot commodity in Green Valley during the winter season. The spa and pool are both accessible via chair lifts.
ABOVE: 1963, the original pool under construction
RIGHT: November, 2022, the new pool being plastered
YOU ARE INVITED!
Join in the celebration for the East Center Pool Ribbon Cutting!
Thursday, December 15, 1-3pm Live music, food, and caroling. Free event. No tickets or reservations required. Come prepared to swim!
CONTACT US 520.625.3440
For operational matters hotline@gvrec.org
For Board policy matters board@gvrec.org
Canoa Hills Customer Service (520) 625-6200 Lunch 11:30am-12:30pm
East Center Customer Service (520) 625-4641 Lunch 12:30pm-1:30pm
Las Campanas Customer Service (520) 648-7669 Lunch 11:30am-12:30pm
West Center Customer Service (520) 625-0288 Lunch Noon-1pm
GVR INFO
MAJOR CENTERS — Rec Staff
Open daily 5:30am-9pm
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
DECEMBER BOARD & COMMITTEE MEETINGS
AUDIT COMMITTEE No meetings scheduled
BOARD AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 13, 1:30-3pm – WC Rm 2/Zoom
FISCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE No meetings scheduled
INVESTMENTS COMMITTEE No meetings scheduled
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
Monday, December 12, 1:30-3pm – WC Rm 2/Zoom
PLANNING AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE
Thursday, December 8, 1:30-3pm – WC Rm 2/Zoom
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
SATELLITE CENTERS
Center Operations Assistants (Yellow Shirts) 520-343-2440 All Satellite Centers 520-549-9733 Open daily 5:30am-9pm
Abrego North Abrego South Casa Paloma I
Casa Paloma II Continental Vistas Madera Vista Pickleball Center
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 2612 S Camino de la Canoa
GVR BOARD MEMBERS
GVR BOARD MEMBERS
President: Kathi Bachelor
Vice President: Donna Coon
Secretary: Bart Hillyer
Treasurer: Carol Crothers
Assistant Secretary: Laurel Dean Assistant Treasurer: Jim Carden
DIRECTORS
Nancy Austin Barbara Blake Ted Boyett Beth Dingman Steve Gilbert Bev Lawless
GVR BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Audit Committee: Nancy Austin
In a regular meeting on November 16, the Board of Directors took the following actions:
• Reviewed the third quarter financial report presented by the CFO
• Directed staff to obtain quotes and draft contracts to improve center security
• Rescheduled discussion of CPM Part 3 for the January work session
• Approved Board Affairs Committee recommended changes to the CPM Part 4
• Directed staff to move forward with a vision of creating a social gathering recreation center at the Del Sol Clubhouse by building out both floors
Board Affairs Committee: Donna Coon Fiscal Affairs Committee: Carol Crothers Investments Committee: Bev Lawless
Nominations & Elections Committee: Beth Dingman Planning & Evaluation Committee: Bart Hillyer
Email: Board@gvrec.org
Watch announcements for any change in meeting status on the GVR website calendar updated daily.
DID YOU KNOW?
The week before Thanksgiving, staff processed 13,471 invoices for annual dues.
Those dues will pay for about 60% of the 2023 operating costs. For $1.39 per day, dues-paying member households enjoy thirteen pools and spas, 63 sports courts, horseshoe pitches, bocce courts, shuffleboard courts, billiards halls, table tennis, six fitness centers, a sauna, barbecue pits, water aerobics, art exhibits, meeting rooms, lobby computers, campus-wide Wi-Fi, movies, and many events—all at no additional cost. Operating costs cover these amenities and services: staff wages and pool chemicals; phones and vacuums; water bills and vehicle expenses; squeegees and yoga balls; fitness center sanitizing wipes and drinking fountain filters; coffee and tea for member activities; table tennis paddles and microphone batteries; garbage bags and pool rules signs; floor mats and newsletters…the list goes on. Remaining operating costs are covered by non-dues revenues such as those generated by guest passes, class fees, event ticket sales, and cell tower leases.
The paper issues of GVR Now! arrive in GVR centers sometime in the first full week of each month. However, they are available online before the first day of each month.
Look for links in the Friday eblasts, on the GVREC.org homepage, and on the lobby computers at Canoa Hills, Canoa Ranch, Desert Hills, East Center, Las Campanas and West Center.
Over the last three months, an average of 1288 readers per month enjoyed the online issues of the GVRNow!
REMINDER! Real-time pool, fitness, and pickle-ball usage is now posted on the website. Find the link in the jump-to section of the home page at gvrec.org, or scan this QR code:
A Letter from the GVR CEO
It’s a little hard to believe I’m wrapping up my second year at GVR. After so many years away, the beauty of this place still feels like a fresh treat each morning.
The watchword of 2022 has been “efficiency.” Staff spent a great deal of time and energy working out a dynamic plan to improve efficient use of space by some clubs, to create space for others. This work is coming to fruition just now, as the Computer Club reopens in a new home, cleverly designed by the club to maximize member opportunities. Arts and Crafts clubs will follow suit in the next week or two, moving across I-19 and providing for a much-needed expansion of the Ceramics Club at Desert Hills. Plans for the long-awaited Glass Arts Studio are being finalized now as potential designs for consolidated Lapidary and Metalworking shops are being sketched out. The Billiards Club will enjoy a new location in 2023 at the Del Sol Clubhouse, making way for a multi-purpose fitness studio adjacent to the highly anticipated expanded Desert Hills Fitness Center. Members should see activity on that last project before the year is out.
It's all very exciting and very rewarding. New publications and events, a new website in the works, a return to pre-pandemic course offerings, and a full season of GVR Live! programs on the calendar—the team has been very busy.
Behind the scenes, the GVR Board approved new clubs (welcome Canine and Martial Arts!), hired a new auditing firm and corporate attorney, and continued the tireless job of amending the Corporate Policy Manual. Administrative staff made changes to the staff insurance policies and saved a bundle ($150k). Underway now is staffing reorganization designed to increase focus on customer service and improve efficiency in the facilities department.
GVR is staying focused and productively pursuing the mission: To provide excellent facilities and services that create opportunities for recreation, social activities, and leisure education to enhance the quality of our members’ lives.
Thank you for the opportunity to live and work in this beautiful community. —Scott Somers, CEO
CHILDREN'S POOL HOURS
(no guest pass required for kids!)
Children 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children 6 and younger must have an adult in the pool with them at all times.
• All pools except West Center and Abrego South: 11am-1pm & 4pm-6pm
• Abrego South: 4pm-6pm only
• West Center: Noon-9pm M-F; weekends and holidays 5:30am-9pm
NEW INSTRUCTORS AT GVR
This season, we have new instructors to share their expertise with you!
Karen Baker, Cardio Pump
Karen is a Certified Personal Trainer and enjoys teaching these unique exercise classes at GVR.
Jean Baribeau-Anaya, Homeopathy Jean is a certified Homeoprophylaxis practitioner working with natural ingredients for improved health. She is also a physician assistant, a military veteran, and has had years of urgent care hospital emergency room experience.
Zandra Clarke, Spanish Zandra was a Spanish instructor at GVR from 2006-2020, and has now returned. She also taught Spanish at Pima Community College from 2005-2009.
Sheryl Fisher, Energy of Stones and Healing Sheryl’s background is in gems and minerals, and she has written a book regarding stones and their energies.
Arthur LaFrance, Shakespeare Arthur is a retired law professor who also studied English Literature and Shakespeare. He enjoys discussing the Bard’s many works with his students. For drop-in classes, please see page 39 of the Winter Course catalog.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY
DECEMBER ART EXHIBITS
Canoa Ranch – Del Marinello Exhibit Canoa Hills – GVR Santa Rita Art League Desert Hills – GVR Glass Artists Las Campanas – Jan Holland East Center – GVR Camera Club West Center – GVR Santa Rita Art League
Board of Directors’ Candidate applications are available
GVR Live! Performance Comedy with Jason Love, Don Friesen & Omar Covarrubias 7pm, West Center
GVR Arts Association Open 1-4pm, Desert
Merry Christmas
See page 8 for what’s open
Registration Winter 2023 begins 8am, Online, Canoa Hills, Las Campanas, East & West centers
GVR Live! Performance TSO Holiday Pops 7:30pm, West Center
LOOKING AHEAD
GVR offices and customer services desks closed, GVR centers open 5:30am-9pm
Valor Hospice Care
January 1 Same limited holiday schedule as Christmas Day. (see page 8)
January 2 GVR offices desks closed, GVR
Arts & Crafts Association House
Desert Hills
Free Lecture
Green Valley Gardeners 9:30am, Desert Hills
GVR Live! Performance
Jessica Fichot: Holidays Around the World 7pm, West Center
Pet Photos with Santa 11am-1pm West Center Lobby
Free Event First Fridays Game Night 5:30pm, East Center Lounge
Free Lecture Tucson Audubon Society 9:30am, Desert Hills
GVR Saturday Night Dance Club 6pm-9pm, Canoa Hills
Free Lecture GV Gardeners 9:30am, Desert Hills
GVR Artisans Shop Open House 9am-4pm, West Center
GVR Hunting & Fishing Club FREE Luncheon 11:30am-2:30pm Las Campanas
GVR Artisans Shop Open House 9am-4pm, West Center
Deadline for MAP applications
Free Movie Miracle on 34th Street 2pm & 7pm, West Center
Free Event East Center Pool Ribbon Cutting 1-3pm East Center Pool Board of Directors’ Candidate applications are due
offices and customer service
GVR centers open 5:30am-9pm
AmigOs Men’s Club Meet & Greet 9-11am East Center Auditorium
Christmas Eve All GVR centers close at 6pm
New Year's Eve
All GVR centers close at 6pm
January 6 Free Event: First Friday Game Night, 5:30pm, East Center Lounge
