A quick cruise through the Green Valley Recreation website reveals an enormous menu of fun and fitness for our members. At the heart of those options are 13 aquatics facilities. GVR pools are in daily use by lap swimmers, walkers, aerobicizers, and bobbers. In the last year, Aqua Zumba and Aqua Yoga have debuted to a great response. Only GVR’s fitness centers are more popular. Pool operators work seven days a week to maintain a little over 1.1 million gallons of water and the facilities that contain and condition that water. Over the summer, GVR’s new Facilities Director Steve Mendoza prioritized the aquatics department to improve GVR’s practices and get a clear understanding of our aquatics assets and liabilities.
The first thing Steve did was hire Aquatics Design International (ADI) to assess all our pools and spas. ADI was selected due to their impressive credentials and their fine work designing the Abrego North and East Center pools. ADI staff assessed each facility from stem (pump rooms) to stern (water quality). They then delivered detailed descriptions of their findings and a summary of recommendations.
The good news: twelve of the pools are in good shape. Equipment upgrades and improved maintenance practices were recommended, but generally, even our oldest pools (on page 6) got a clean bill of health.
The bad news: the Desert Hills pool may need extensive plumbing repairs. Staff are pursuing a second opinion and will bring recommendations to the Board this fall.
More good news: Several years ago, GVR established a savings account for just this scenario. That account already has most if not all of the money we will need to address the problems at Desert Hills.
The second thing Steve did was promote Craig Mohlman to Aquatics Supervisor. Under Craig’s leadership the aquatics team will complete thorough and ongoing training and the maintenance practices recommended by ADI will be implemented. Equipment maintenance and replacement schedules are being developed or refined. Members can expect to see top-notch water conditions and fewer unplanned closures that result from unexpected equipment failure.
Facilities Director Steve Mendoza and Aquatics Supervisor Craig Mohlman
CONTACT US 520-625-3440
Operational matters
email: hotline@gvrec.org
Board policy matters email: board@gvrec.org
West Center Customer Service 520-625-0288
RECREATION SERVICES
NORTH CAMPUS 520-648-7669
Includes:
Abrego North
Casa Paloma I
Casa Paloma II
Continental Vistas
East Center
Las Campanas
Pickleball Center
West Center
SOUTH CAMPUS 520-838-0169
Includes:
Abrego South
Canoa Hills
Canoa Ranch
Del Sol Clubhouse
OCTOBER BOARD & COMMITTEE MEETINGS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS WORK SESSION
Wednesday, October 9, 2024, 2–4pm West Center Room 2 / Zoom
NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, October 10, 2024, 10–11:30am West Center Room 2 / Zoom
FISCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 1:30–3pm West Center Room 2 / Zoom
INVESTMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 9–10:30am West Center Room 2 / Zoom
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 2–4pm West Center Auditorium / Zoom
Any change in meeting status will be announced on the GVR website calendar.
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
In a regular meeting on Wednesday, September 25, the Board of Directors took the following actions:
• Dave Barker will serve out Carol Crothers’ term ending in March 2027. Welcome to the Board, Dave.
• Approved West Center Expansion Project option one.
• Approved to Rescind and Reapprove Federal Form 990.
• Approved the contract for the food vendor, 1989 Bake House, at Del Sol Clubhouse
Center Operations Assistants (Yellow Shirts) 520-343-2440
Desert Hills
Madera Vista
Santa Rita Springs
GVR BOARD
GVR BOARD OFFICERS
President: Marge Garneau
Vice President: Bart Hillyer
Secretary: Jim Carden
Treasurer: Vacant
Assistant Secretary: Candy English
Assistant Treasurer: Nellie Johnson
DIRECTORS
Nancy Austin
Kathi Bachelor
Dave Barker
Barbara Blake
Beth Dingman
Bev Lawless
Joe Magliola
GVR BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Audit Committee: Nancy Austin
Board Affairs Committee: Bart Hillyer
Financial Affairs Committee: Vacant
Investments Committee: Nellie Johnson
Nominations & Elections Committee: Barbara Blake
Planning & Evaluation Committee: Jim Carden
Email: board@gvrec.org
Can’t attend a meeting in person?
Scan this QR code for ZOOM meetings.
Letter from the President Did You Know?
Who qualifies as a GVR guest? Guests are temporary visitors of GVR members and must live more than 20 miles outside GVR boundaries. If they’re 18 or older, they’ll need a guest card, which members can purchase in person at the West Center Box Office, Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm. As a host, members are responsible for ensuring their guests follow GVR’s Code of Conduct. For more details and to view the boundaries, please visit GVRec.org.
The Rotary Clubs of Green Valley, Valle Verde, and Tubac are joining forces for their biennial Warmth from the Heart coat drive. For the third year, GVR supports the effort as Rotary members collect gently used outerwear for distribution to Sopori School in Amado. Donations begin Tuesday, October 1, so it’s a perfect time to clean out your closets for a good cause. Collection bins will be available at major GVR centers until November 5.
The Desert Hills pool may be leaking water—so far it looks like it is not the pool but rather the water lines. Staff are working to find the problem and will have an evaluation done. You will hear more about this.
As you know, we met with the clubs at West Center and at our last Board meeting decided to get plans made and a bid to add onto the Lapidary Club area along with expanding size of the Artisans Shop. This would allow the Ceramics Club to expand into the area the Lapidary Club has at Desert Hills. Doing this, if affordable, would help three clubs and solve some space issues.
We have approved an agreement with 1989 Bake House as a vendor for the Del Sol Clubhouse. They are planning to serve coffee, tea, soda, etc. and lighter fare. Hopefully they will open by the first of the year. We still have things to work out but having a social gathering place with a café is certainly exciting.
Carol Crothers has resigned her position on the Board due to health reasons. We will miss her expertise but welcome Dave Barker to the Board. Nellie Johnson has been running the Fiscal Affairs Committee in Carol’s absence.
We will have three Board seats open this next election. Please contact Nanci Moyo at NanciM@GVRec.org for information.
Just a reminder you can contact us through Board@gvrec.org, come to committee meetings, and/or join us for the monthly Board meetings.
—Marge Garneau Board President
Join us for an exclusive prescreening of Leonardo da Vinci before it premieres on PBS in November.
West Center Auditorium Friday, October 25, 4–6pm FREE! Everyone welcome!
Confirm your spot! Registration required:
• Online at GVRec.org
• By phone 520-625-0288
• In person at West Center Box Office
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.
Embrace Autumn Adventures
As we get older, one of the biggest regrets is not trying the things we’ve always wanted to do. This October, shed those regrets like autumn leaves with GVR’s lineup of over 100 classes. There’s something for everyone, from Introduction to Astronomy and Fall Prevention to Is It Too Late to Become a Goddess, Hatha Vinyasa Flow Yoga, or even Flotation Sound Bath
With cooler weather, it’s the perfect time to get outside. Discover pickleball, a fun, social game anyone can enjoy, or dive into Aqua Yoga or Swimming and Fitness Skills
Just like the autumn season brings people together, GVR’s leisure education provides opportunities to connect you with fellow members who share same interests, sparking meaningful relationships that can last for seasons to come.
Happy October!
OCTOBER ART EXHIBITS
Canoa Hills – Oct 1–7 Diane West Oct 8–31 Jan Holland
Desert Hills – GVR Santa Rita Art League
East Center – GVR Photography Club
Las Campanas – Susanne Phillips
West Center – GVR Santa Rita Art League
OCTOBER 2024
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
Verde/Saguaro
Tubac Talavera Jars, Watercolor by Jan Harnish, Santa Rita Art League
The Field Services department will support Craig’s team in a couple of ways. This season, GVR will return to the long-time practice of having staff (Recreation Services Assistants in light blue shirts) assigned exclusively to a single major center. This crew will drop the robot vacuums also known as dolphins in each pool every night. Having the pools vacuumed overnight will free up pool operators to brush down the sides of the pools, descale tiles, and complete other recommended maintenance tasks.
Over the past year or two, GVR has benefited from Total Pool Care, a local company that has done outstanding work for GVR during key transition times. While GVR’s budget doesn’t allow for an ongoing relationship with Total Pool Care, we are grateful for the work they have done for us, and for setting a high standard of care that Craig and his team plan to exceed.
GVR Pool Construction Dates
Pool Year
Casa Paloma I 1975
Casa Paloma II 1977
Abrego South 1977
Continental Vistas 1979
West Center 1980
Desert Hills 1981
Madera Vista 1983
Pool Year
Canoa Hills 1990
Santa Rita Springs 1996
Las Campanas 1997
Canoa Ranch 2007
Abrego North 2016
East Center 2022
The average lifespan of in-ground pools is approximately 50 years.
Balance Progression –Small Group Training
Take charge of your balance and feel more confident in everyday movements. Students work on building balance-training techniques, focusing on increased walking speed and reduce fear of falling. Shaun McGuire, a certified personal trainer with experience training University of Arizona athletes and a doctorate in chiropractic, guides students through three progressive levels:
• Level 1: Resisting Motion
• Level 2: Loaded Movements
• Level 3: Explosive Exercises
Starts Monday, October 14
Santa Rita Springs Fitness Center Monday and Wednesday, 1-2pm (4 weeks / 2x per week)
$120
Free Movement Assessment
(By appointment only)
Correct imbalances and improve overall movement and posture. Movement assessments help identify muscle imbalances around a joint, highlighting overactive or underactive muscles to improve overall movement and posture. With this insight, trainers create a personalized corrective exercise plan and assess the body systematically, looking for neutral alignment, symmetry, balanced muscle tone, and postural imbalances in areas like the feet, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and spine.
Types of assessments include:
• Static Postural
• Dynamic Postural
• Push & Pull
To register, please contact Lee Smith at 520-495-5897 or LeeS@GVRec.org.
October Events & Entertainment
For tickets or to reserve a table, please call 520-625-0288. For more details, visit GVRec.org.
Tuesday, October 15, 1pm
Paint & Vino: Changing Seasons
Dive into a palette of fun at the Paint & Vino fall session. Enjoy painting your masterpiece with guidance from instructors while sipping on a tasty beverage. We provide the supplies, appetizers, and two drinks to keep the creativity flowing. Bring your friends for a relaxed afternoon of wine, art, and laughter!
Las Campanas – Ocotillo room Member/Guest $45
Friday, October 18, 6pm
Celebrity Icons
Experience the magic as Cher, Reba, Elton John, Freddie Mercury, and Elvis come to life in a night of glamour and entertainment. Lucinda Holliday brings top Las Vegas impersonators to Green Valley—don’t miss this star-studded event!
West Center Auditorium Member/Guest $30; General Public $40
Thursday, October 24, 9:15am–5pm VIP Wine Tour: The Grape Escape to Sonoita Wineries
Thursday, October 31, 6pm
Halloween Contest and Dance with Jukebox Junqies
Get your costumes ready for a Halloween dance and costume contest with entertainment courtesy of the Jukebox Junqies. Strut your stuff on the dance floor and have a howlin’ good time!
Win prizes for: overall best costume, most original costume, and most creative costume
West Center Auditorium Member/Guest $15; General Public $25
Don’t miss out on future happenings— visit GVRec.org and sign up for the eBlast to stay updated on upcoming GVR events.
November Events & Entertainment
For tickets or to reserve a table, please call 520-625-0288. For more details, visit GVRec.org.
Wednesday, November 6, 6pm
Dinner and Comedy Show
Reserve your spot for an evening of laughter with two top-notch comedians whose energetic humor guarantees a great time. From witty observations to hilarious stories, their performances will leave you in stitches.
Menu: Two beverages and Mama J’s BBQ offering Southern-style, slowsmoked perfection with all the classic side dishes. (Vegetarian option available upon request.)
West Center Auditorium
Member/Guest $30
Tuesday, November 12, 1pm
Wine & Design: Autumn Centerpiece Event
Celebrate fall by creating a beautiful seasonal centerpiece. With instructor guidance, students learn contemporary floral design techniques using a personalized pumpkin as the base. Arrange a harvest bouquet and enjoy appetizers and two beverages to keep the inspiration flowing!
Las Campanas – Juniper room Member/Guest $45
Thursday, November 14, 7pm
Gold Dust Women
Rock out with international award-winning vocalists Katherine Byrnes and Khris Dodge Entertainment as they pay tribute to the divas of folk-rock! Experience the power and passion of Stevie Nicks, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Carole King, and more. Katherine and her band bring new life to these timeless hits, capturing the spirit and spontaneity of the era.
West Center Auditorium
Member/Guest $30; General Public $40
Don’t miss out on future happenings— visit GVRec.org and sign up for the eBlast to stay updated on upcoming GVR events.