GVRNow!

Security and Safety at GVR

What are the security concerns at GVR?

• Unauthorized use of facilities (hourly to daily)

• Improper use of guest passes

• Loaned/borrowed member cards

• Entry without cards (following members in, members bringing people in or propping doors or gates open to allow entry of unauthorized visitors)

• After/before hours use of facilities (bypassing locks, climbing walls, etc.)

• Conflicts/fights (weekly to monthly depending on season)

• Injuries (weekly to daily depending on season)

• Illegal activity (occasional)

• Tampering with cars

• Migrant activity

• Theft

• Malicious intruder (one known report)

Over the years, GVR has employed a number of approaches to mitigate these risks, including volunteer monitors, electronic card readers, security alarms, a limited number of security cameras, increased rounds by center staff, and the Membership Matters card-check program.

Last fall, after a reported intruder in a locker room, the Board directed staff to consult with security professionals about improved protocols. Installing more security cameras was advised. After some prudent pruning of proposals, staff recommended a contract to install 123 cameras to record activity at entry points and parking lots at all seventeen GVR sites. The cost estimate is $154k. These cameras would not be monitored in real time. Recordings kept for 30 days would be reviewed in the event of a reported incident.

Before making a decision, the Board wants to hear from members about security cameras. Please take a three-question survey posted at GVREC.org. A link to the survey will be published in eblasts in July, and on the screens of the lobby computers.

Cameras are just one tool in GVR’s security kit.

To address unauthorized access, Center Operations Assistants (COAs or “Yellow Shirts”) conduct random card checks as part of the Membership Matters program. Expect to see a new version of card checks starting in July. COAs will randomly set up stations at entry points and check to be sure each person entering has appropriate authorization to use the facilities. If you are carrying the pass issued to you and it works when you open the gate, expect this card check process to take mere moments.

If you do not have a photo on your card please come to the Administrative Offices Monday-Friday between 8am and 4pm to get your picture taken and have a new card issued. Having your photo on your card will be a big help during all card-check episodes.

Along with this new security measure comes a new member convenience: starting July 15, members can purchase sameday guest passes (using a credit or debit card only) after customer service desks are closed. These are paper passes, so hosts will need to accompany guests through gates and card-access doors, but the pass is good for all facilities for the full day at the usual $10 daily charge. Each same-day pass admits up to four adults. No pass is required for guests 17 and younger. After 4pm and on weekends, call the COA to arrange for a same-day guest pass purchase: 520-343-2440. For a plastic Guest Card that opens gates, visit any Customer Service Desk. Hours and locations are posted on the homepage at GVREC.org.

NEW!

Same-day guest passes!

Continued on page

CONTACT US 520.625.3440

Operational matters email: hotline@gvrec.org

Board policy matters email: board@gvrec.org

Canoa Hills Customer Service

East Center Customer Service

520-625-6200 (Lunch 11:30am–12:30pm)

520-625-4641 (Lunch 12:30–1:30pm)

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

JULY BOARD & COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Audit Committee: No meeting scheduled

520-631-7151

520-631-0761

520-631-8060

520-631-8072

520-631-7068

520-631-8092

520-631-7909

Scan this QR code or visit gvrec.org/centers/facility-use for real-time pool, fitness, and pickleball usage.

SATELLITE CENTERS

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

GVR BOARD MEMBERS

Board of Directors Work Session: TBD (refer to website calendar)

Board of Directors Regular Meeting: TBD (refer to website calendar)

Board Affairs Committee: Tuesday, July 11, 1:30–3pm – WC Room 2/Zoom

Fiscal Affairs Committee: Tuesday, July 18, 1:30–3pm – WC Room 2/Zoom

Investments Committee: Wednesday, July 19, 9–10:30am – WC Room 2/Zoom

Nominations & Elections Committee: No meeting scheduled

Planning & Evaluation Committee:

Thursday, July 13, 1:30–3pm – WC 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, June 28, the Board of Directors took the following actions:

• Camera Survey – Action Item A: Approve the motion as amended to direct the GVR staff to conduct a survey of the membership in July, 2023.

• SpringPointe – Action Item B: Passed

• Work Session – Action Item C: Passed

• CPM Appendix Change – Action Item D: Passed

• West Center Improvements – Action Item E: Passed

• Adjournment: Passed

President: Marge Garneau

Vice President: Carol Crothers

Secretary: Bart Hillyer

Treasurer: Jim Carden

Assistant Secretary: Barbara Blake

Assistant Treasurer: Laurel Dean

DIRECTORS

Nancy Austin

Kathi Bachelor

Ted Boyett

Beth Dingman

Steve Gilbert

Bev Lawless

GVR BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Audit Committee: Nancy Austin

Board Affairs Committee: Carol Crothers

Financial Affairs Committee: Jim Carden

Investments Committee: Bev Lawless

Nominations & Elections Committee: Beth Dingman

Planning & Evaluation Committee: Kathi Bachelor

Email: board@gvrec.org

Center Operations Assistants (Yellow Shirts) 520-343-2440

Did You Know?

GVR cannot offer members Silver Sneakers benefits.

GVR members who are also Silver Sneakers members occasionally ask why the Silver Sneakers privileges they enjoy at community-based health clubs don’t translate to attending GVR fitness classes free of charge. We’ve had several discussions with the Silver Sneakers organization and have learned that if GVR were to accept the reimbursement other fitness centers receive for classes taken by Silver Sneakers members who are also GVR members, it would mean we could no longer accept annual membership dues from those same members. In other words, an individual cannot use GVR facilities as a Silver Sneakers member on some occasions and as a GVR member on other occasions—it has to be one, or the other. Since GVR membership is tied to deeds, it is not optional for those who own GVR deed-restricted homes. Fortunately, GVR membership includes benefits far beyond anything offered by Silver Sneakers—unrestricted use of pools and fitness centers, club memberships, free movies and lectures, non-fitness classes, and drop-in activities.

Nevertheless, demand is high for no-additional-charge exercise classes. GVR’s first effort to meet this demand will start in October with no-charge yoga classes at 8am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in the Anza Room at Santa Rita Springs. Just show up with your mat and accessories (we’ll have some loaners for your first few visits). No registration required. Watch for details in the September issue of the GVR Now!

Children’s Pool Hours

West Center Weekdays: Noon–9pm Weekends & holidays: ALL day

Abrego South Daily: 4–6pm

All other pools Daily: 11am–1pm AND 4–6pm

No guest pass required for kids! Children 17 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.

Letter from the COO

It’s 108 degrees as I write. I have to make a conscious effort to treat days like this they way I used to treat horizontal rain days in the Pacific Northwest—with a good book and a comfy nest (under a fan instead of front of a fire). I also keep in mind that our reward for enduring these temps is the monsoon that brings dramatic sunsets, thrilling storms, and a desert bursting with life.

At GVR, the monsoon can frankly be a pain. Like just about every organization or local government that manages public or semi-public pools, GVR evacuates the pool decks when lightning approaches. Using the guidelines provided by the National Lightning Safety Institute, staff close all pools when lightning strikes five miles or closer to any pool. Please be prepared to leave the pool deck (don’t stop to shower) at any time during this season, but especially when swimming or soaking in the afternoons or evenings. Generally, pools reopen when lightning has been absent from the area for 30 minutes. However, if another thunderhead is approaching quickly, staff may keep the pools closed.

At GVR we use the WeatherBug app to monitor storm activity. Staff can monitor wind speed and direction while watching doppler images of incoming storms. Each lightning strike is documented and the app provides alerts as lightning approaches. Find this free app on Google Play or in the iPhone App Store to see the same info staff is using as they determine when pools will close and reopen.

Aside from lightning, wildlife can have an impact on the member experience. Beetle populations ebb and flow and are heavily influenced by weather patterns. Some years, various darkling beetle populations boom. Other years, fig beetles arrive in big numbers. Toads may appear out of nowhere with a keen interest in the pools—they are no threat to you unless you try to eat them. When the acorns start dropping in August, javelina families will often gather under the parking lot trees. They can be tough to spot at night, so drive carefully and stick to lighted areas when walking a dog after dusk.

Generally, staff have little to no control over the weather and indigenous critters of the region. We don’t necessarily enjoy swatting fig beetles aside so we can get into the building and none of us love closing pools. We appreciate your patience and understanding and hope you enjoy the exciting season.

-Natalie (Nat) Whitman, Chief Operations Officer

Photo by Paul McCreary

What’s Happening in Leisure Education?

The term ‘leisure education’ might seem an oxymoron, like ‘working vacation.’ When we were younger, leisure occurred between periods of education: a relaxing weekend, or a summer vacation..

Now, in our Green Valley years, leisure time is an opportunity for us to become educated in those things we want to learn, rather than need to learn. It’s education, but at our leisure!

GVR’s goal is to provide leisure education opportunities for all members.

Some of us come to Green Valley exhausted from a long career and simply want to relax a while. Courses such as yoga, or desert gardening, are perfect for this purpose. While others wish to completely reinvent themselves as a pickleball ace, topnotch silversmith, or a champion bridge player. And GVR has sequences of classes that can take anyone from beginner to expert in these and many other areas.

Of course, many of us simply want to take a course here or there, depending on interest. It’s possible to keep yourself very occupied with GVR courses. In fact, multiple members enrolled in 20 or more classes this past fall and winter!

Providing opportunity for all our members means reaching out to see what classes we might add to our offerings. Don’t hesitate to contact Leisure Education Coordinator, Steve Kindred at stevek@gvrec. org, and let him know any ideas you might have. Better yet, if you think you’d like to teach a course yourself, let Steve know and he’ll walk you through the process.

Calling all GVR artists and photographers!

Monthly art exhibits are returning in September, we’re looking for original submissions to exhibit in If you wish to sell your pieces, you are welcome to contact and pricing information next to your art. Please email JodyC@gvrec.org to get started.

Photo by Linda Gregory

Saguaro in Bloom by Diane Marr

GVR addresses member safety in proactive ways.

All Recreation Services Staff are trained in First Aid, CPR, and AED use. Recently, the Fitness Coordinator got re-certified to teach these courses so new staff will have ready access to the training. When space is available in staff training, members will be offered the open seats. Watch for announcements in the Friday eblast starting in September.

This summer the Recreation Services Assistants (light blue polos) are completing a twelve-session training series with a number of safety and security topics covered including storm response, emergency communications protocols, and Blood Borne Pathogens precautions. On July 28, the Green Valley Fire Department will provide staff with a special training on responding to various common emergencies and how to safely evacuate a center. Do not be alarmed to see a bunch of emergency response vehicles and personnel at Las Campanas that day.

RACKET AND PADDLE SPORTS

Racket and paddle sports are very popular at GVR! Tennis, table tennis, pickleball, and racquetball clubs provide opportunities for over 1300 members to meet like-minded folks. However, all members are welcome to use the racket and paddle sports facilities— not just club members.

Go to GVREC.org or see page 25 of the spring/summer catalog for more information.

New Fitness

Classes at Desert Hills

The new Desert Hills Fitness Center will house a wide array of exercise equipment, but will also have dedicated studio space where members can enjoy a variety of instructor-led fitness classes.

In addition to some old favorites that will start in the fall, members can look forward to a couple of brand-new August and September classes, led by popular fitness instructor, Marie Little:

• Cardio Boxing for Beginners starts August 1 at 9am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can enroll in the Tuesday class, Thursday class, or both. Fees are $8 per classroom session. A drop-in option is available for $9 per session.

• Active Senior Workout also starts August 1, and follows Cardio Boxing at 10am. Just like Cardio Boxing, enroll in Tuesday, Thursday, or both days for $8 per session. Dropin is $9 per session.

For detailed descriptions of the classes, check center bulletin boards, visit a CSR office, or go to GVREC.org. Enrollments can be done via phone, in person, or online.

And stay tuned for the new Aqua Zumba class this October at the Desert Hills pool!

Marie Little inspires GVR members in a small group class

Club Spotlight

NEW Clubs Catalog

GVR is excited to announce that we’re working on a new Clubs Catalog for the fall! It will arrive in your mailboxes in the September issue of Home, Health, and Life

If you are a club contact/administrator, please ensure that we have your up-to-date information. The publisher has granted us an extension on the print deadline, so if you have any new information or club photos, then please send them via email to: BarbG@gvrec.org. The last day for submissions is Friday, July 14.

Thank you to all the clubs who have already submitted their updates! GVR Clubs: something for everyone!

Table Tennis: The Fun Club!

Join the GVR Table Tennis Club for good exercise, hand-eye coordination, and camaraderie.

The club meets at West Center on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 8am–noon. All levels of play are represented with mostly doubles, but there are also some singles games.

Drop in and give it a try! There’s no charge to try a few times, you can borrow a paddle, and annual dues are only $10/year if you decide to join. Club members are happy to give pointers and help you get started. Curious? Go to greenvalleyttc.com or email greenvalleyttc@gmail.com for more information.

No partner required. You just need a love for dance.

The GVR Line Dancers Club has over 130 members who demonstrate that line dancing provides great exercise for both mind and body. The mission: To enjoy, encourage, and perform line dancing to all genres of music. The club hosts:

• workshops to learn dances

• club sessions for dancing

• socials/special occasion dances for pure enjoyment

For dance demonstrations, step sheets, dance tips, and the NEW dance schedule, please visit: gvrlinedancers.org.

To join, GVR members need complete Line Dance I & II classes. Annual dues are $10. For more information, email gvrlinedancers@gmail.com or text Jean Stephenson at 785-259-0313.

Photography Club, Lowell Field Trip 2022

GVRLive! Performances – Everyone welcome!

ANDY HERSEY

Tuesday, July 11 at 7pm

Andy Hersey is an Arizona-based singer/songwriter who released his third full-length album “Tell Me All About It” in 2016 on Reposado Recordings. Songwriting has always been a part of Hersey’s life while working other trades: ranch hand, horseshoer, truck-driver, construction and raising a family on Southern Arizona ranches. He now makes his living playing steady shows in Tucson area establishments and a road trip now and then.

“This set of songs is acoustic-based and eclectic. Country rock, silly drinking songs, a love song or two, mix in a bit of broken ’spanglish’ and there you have it,” says Hersey.

West Center Auditorium

Member/Guest $20

General Public $25

VALLEY PLAYERS PRESENTS COMEDIC SKITS

Tuesday, July 25 at 2pm

Join the Valley Players for loads of laughs, hysterical mayhem, and utterly relatable shenanigans. In a series of three short pieces, residents of a retirement community navigate scandal and form a posse to enforce association covenants; a woman transforms from a harassed customer to a Telemarketer Therapist, and a couple explore pharmaceutical tools to enhance their love lives.

West Center Auditorium

Member/Guest $10

General Public $15

Leisure education is worth exploring

Taught by experienced instructors, classes are available in:

• Arts and crafts such as ceramics, glass arts, clay, lapidary and silversmithing, and more

• Dance and music offerings feature clogging, tap, line dancing, and singing

• Fitness and sports classes range from yoga to body conditioning, and beginner Karate

• Languages include various levels of Italian and Spanish

• Nature and gardening classes teach about various plants and biomes; and desert landscaping care

Explore new subjects, meet new friends, or fine tune your passion with classes at GVR. If you’re interested in dropping in to give a class a try, just look for a drop-in fee in the class description in the spring/summer catalog.