Projects will mean upgraded services
 
MARICOPA - Christmas may have come a little early for the city of Maricopa and Maricopa Fire as both broke ground on two eagerly anticipated projects last week.

More than 70 area residents, city staff and representatives from Element Homes gathered Wednesday for a groundbreaking ceremony for Maricopa's first public park.

"Today is a historic day in our young city's history," said Parks, Recreation and Libraries Director Marty McDonald.

"Parks are the crown jewels of a city and our first park will be a centerpiece of recreation that tens of thousands of residents will enjoy throughout time. I was very happy with the turnout at the groundbreaking ceremony. It was an emotional day for myself and my family. My wife and I are expecting our first child, and to know that my son will have a quality park to play at one day choked me up a little."

Council member Kelly Haddad, who served as the interim chair of the inaugural Parks, Recreation and Libraries Advisory Committee, was extremely pleased with the morning showing.

"The event was an incredible success due to the hard work and dedication of Marty McDonald, Element Homes and the entire staff and council of the city of Maricopa," Haddad said. "I was very delighted at the amazing turnout. It showed the importance to the community of the Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department and all that they do. I would like to thank everyone for taking time out of their schedules to be there on such a monumental occasion."

Construction on the new park is expected to begin in January with a projected opening date of July 1, 2006. The 18.8-acre park is located on Porter Road, approximately half a mile south of Honeycutt Road in the Glennwilde community, and will feature two lighted softball fields, a full-size soccer field, two basketball courts, two tennis courts, concession and maintenance buildings, a 2.25-acre lake, lighted pathways and one large playground.

Element Homes is donating the park amenities as well as all plan work and grading costs while the city of Maricopa will purchase the 18.8-acres at a cost not to exceed $100,000 per acre.

"Element Homes is proud to be able to make the city of Maricopa's dream for a public park in Glennwilde come true," said Mike Jesberger, executive vice president of Element Homes.

The park will be funded using park development impact fee monies.

"Pacana Park is a $5 million park when you factor in land acquisition costs, construction and amenities," McDonald said. "Element Homes has donated approximately $3.3 million to this park. With the city of Maricopa purchasing the land, our maximum capital outlay is only $1.88 million. Element Homes has donated close to 65 percent of the total cost of this park."

On Friday, the Maricopa Fire Department broke ground on their first new permanent station in 25 years.

Located in the Alterra development south of the railroad tracks, the station will feature three bays and is capable of housing eight firefighters. The station is a much-needed addition for the new neighborhoods south of the railroad, as freight and passenger train traffic frequently blocks access to those areas from the department's two stations located to the north.

"FD Maricopa will be able to offer fire and emergency medical services to the community located to the south of the Union Pacific right of way without fear of interruption by freight trains for the first time in the history of the department," said Fire Chief Bill Kelleher.

Former Fire Chief and current fire board Chair Don Pearce reminisced during Friday's ceremony about how far the department has come.

"It's been a long time and long struggle to get here. We started in 1978 as a volunteer department and just recently became a paid department," Pearce said. "I had a dream back then we would have a good fire department and now we've just about got it all together. My dream is coming true."

Construction on the station, located on Alterra Parkway, is expected to begin in January with completion in July. CORE Construction has been selected to build the station and total cost is estimated at approximately $1.2 million, including site preparation, landscaping and construction.

©Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc. 2005