Ak-Chin breaks ground on entertainment complex

By Tim Howsare

November 15, 2011 - 1:59 pm

Ak-Chin breaks ground on entertainment complex

Ak-Chin Indian Community officials break ground Tuesday on a family entertainment complex next to the casino. Photo by Pete Herzog.

A year from now, the largest entertainment center in Arizona is expected to open adjacent to Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort on Ak-Chin Indian Community land.

A groundbreaking ceremony attended by about 100 people was held this morning for a 162,000-square-foot family entertainment complex that will feature a 12-screen movie theater, 24-lane bowling alley, arcade, laser tag, restaurants and an outdoor amphitheater.

The ceremony was led by Ak-Chin Tribal Chairman Louis J. Manuel, Jr. and members of the tribal council. City officials invited by the tribe were Mayor Anthony Smith, Councilmember Marvin Brown, who serves as the council’s liaison to the Native American communities, City Manager Brenda Fischer and Intergovernmental Manager Paul Jepson.

Though the city was not involved with the planning of the complex, Smith said after the groundbreaking the city and tribe have a legacy of working together.

“We are very excited about the groundbreaking and will be excited when it opens,” he said.

The complex will be managed by UltraStar Cinemas. It is being designed by Nelsen Partners and constructed by A.R. Mays Construction.

“This is a great venture for the area,” Manuel said. “This is going to be a worthwhile project for us.”

Tribal Councilwoman Delia Carlyle acknowledged past council members who worked on the project and compared the project with the tribe’s agricultural tradition.

“Our foundation has always been farming,” she said. “We are growing on our foundation.”

Alan Grossberg, president of UltraStar Cinemas, said he first saw the Ak-Chin site a year ago after his company opened a theater in Scottsdale.

He described his first impression with two words: “It’s huge.”

Grossberg said the objectives of UltraStar are to “entertain, educate and employ” and that the complex will provide 200 new jobs for the community.

Before tribal dignitaries turned ground, community member Joseph Enos blessed the site with holy water — one blessing for each of the four directions, north, east west and south.

“The number four represents wholeness and totality,” he said. “We always do things four times. We are not only blessing the project but all of creation.”

As Enos sang, a hawk or eagle was seen circling overhead.

In addition to the complex, the Ak-Chin Indian Community also owns Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort, Santa Cruz Commerce Center, Ak-Chin Farms, the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club and operates the Ak-Chin Him Dak Eco-Museum, the first of its kind in America.

For more information,visit www.ak-chin.nsn.us.

- Have a story idea? Please email it to News@InMaricopa.com.

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92 comments

This is wonderful news.

Unfortunate the tax dollars from this complex will go to Ak-Chin than the city. I also fail to see how this truly benifits the city in any way. Ak-Chin seems to head the city off at the pass at every turn.

besides jobs of which community members will have first dibs on.

If the city hadn't place fees so high on the same type of facilities in Maricopa we would have it here. Thats why Morningside gym, Peter Piper Pizza, roller skating rink and others have pulled out. Instead of being inviting to these things this city makes it hard for them to come. If you want to be upset, you should look to the city, not Ak-Chin for doing what was needed. They see the need in the community and they are responding.

Always knew the kids of this area needed to have someplace to go. This will be nothing but a plus for this area.

This is great and exciting news but sad to see the lost on this opportunity. I already see the pet social worker is doing damage control by stating the city had to jump through hoops. I say hogwash. If someone wants to build 160,000 square feet of just about anything in our town, we should be bending over backwards to get it it done. This town could use the tax revenue from this project. Oh well, Ak Chin wins again!

Tell me again how this helps Maricopa? The tribe will hire mainly tribal members more than likely. Also, this will increase traffic on Maricopa streets, but may not bring more business to town as much of that traffic will just 'pass thru' to this new site. It will be nice to have a closer movie comlex, but Ultrastar was slated to open in Maricopa, but pulled out. It seems the excuse of not enough people in town in hogwash seeing as it is opening just down the road.

Cont: Sounds like our town once again wouldn't work with getting the business here in town and they chose a business friendly area to deal with. Too bad. More tax revenue lost.

Its a win for Maricopa as (1) kids now dont have to hang out at McDonalds on the weekends. (2) Even out of towners will stop and/or SEE Maricopa and hopefully decide this is a good place to raise their families or move to, which brings up our home values. (3) Gives us residents someplace to go that isnt 20 miles away (4) 200 jobs which could go to our residents, which means more money for Maricopa, which means more money to spend IN Maricopa. This is nothing but good for Maricopa.

Talon, I agree with your points. However, my point is that if this complex were within Maricopa, it would benefit our town nth times more as we would be getting the tax revenue, not the reservation. That was my point.

I agree, but we all know about bureaucracy. If we couldnt get it done, I am glad someone did

Do you have any idea how many people live South of Maricopa? Apparently not!

Hidden Valley, and your point? So, are you saying you disagree that if the complex was within Maricopa that our city would not benefit more from tax revenue? Not sure with how many people living south of Copa has anything to do with the fact that the rez will get the tax benefit and we will not.

First of all I am saying that there are many more people here that those of you who have show up in the past few years. In 2000 Maricopa had 900 residents. Second, of all it would take a large capital investment from a private developer to build such a complex. So far non are willing to take the chance here. Frankly its time for Maricopa residents to start buying local if they want businesses to invest here.

Hiddenvalley, you assume too much. Also, it is hard to buy local when we don't have these types of facilities, isn't it? If we had true city leaders, maybe our town could expand and grow, but they have made it very unfriendly for some of these companies to build here. That is the simple fact. Oh, and please stop trying to make it sound like those of you who have been here longer are above the new residents, which I am NOT one of.

Fohnstone. It has nothing to do with who was here first. It has to do that there are literally thousands of us who do NOT live in the city limits. Question for you. Do you buy your car insurance locally, do you have your taxes done locally, do you look for something at Ace Hardware before you drive to Chandler, is your landscaper local.? You get the drift. Start complaining after you start buying local.

Hiddenvalley, you need to stop assuming. Yes, I buy local as much as possible. Also, since I am a resident who owns a home here in Maricopa, I have every right to discuss these topics. Therefore, please don't state that I cannot 'complain' which is not what I am doing. I am merely pointing out how this complex would have helped Maricopa if it was built on the land, not on the rez. It is that simple.

Looking back to see if I said anything about not having the right to discuss topics. Nope, can't find that.

Didn't say that, hidden. Just stop telling me I am 'complaining' and that I don't buy local or implying it. Just makes you look bad.

Even if the city isn't benefiting from tax revenues, Maricopa residents could benefit from some of those 200 jobs. I think this is great news we need a movie theater badly and I dont mind going to the reservation to see a movie, I cant wait for this to open up.

It's wonderful to see how many negative people there are in Maricopa... This is GREAT news just for the community in general... And all people reply with is complaints!! Probably the same tone and negativity that UltraStar ran into when trying to deal with the city and therefore decided to work with AK-Chin instead.

This is GREAT news!

This is great news!! It is about time we had some kind of recreation here. A Bowling Alley and Skating Rink was proposed to the City 4 or 5 years ago and the city wanted over $100,000 in fees to build it. So, of course the Bowling Alley was built in Gilbert instead. So, everyone who is grumbling about this being on the reservation should look to your elected officials and grumble at them next election.

by the way I have idea whay this deos not show my name....Charles

This is why I love the Ak Chin communitly, they say there are going to do something and they do it!

This is GREAT! Just what everyone needs to have fun and keep the funds in Copa. Looking forward to having all this entertainment here. Finally!!

...can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not. This complex, while extremely convenient and nice to have, will have the opposite effect of what you're describing. It's worse than people having to run to phoenix to spend entertainment dollars. Now instead of Phoenix, it can go to the tribal government much, much easier.

damn, I wanted to build a family fun center here in town, but lacked the financial backing. I was trying to pull it together, but looks like I am too late.

This is fabulous news. It pains me to see so many negative comments from Maricopa community members. I spend my life trying to make things better for the youth of Maricopa and Akchin. We need to work together to create a safe and fun city for our youh. We need to work together to help our youth become happy, productive members of our community. Let's get over the negativity and make some positive changes for Maricopa and Akchin! No more of this could have, should have, would have... Improve it!

Thank you

beware of the RES.... you have no rights on the RES.... Its time we stopped BIA funding and let the natives join the rest of us americans and fend for themselves

Did you really say the Native Americans should join the rest of us Americans? You do know they were here first and us Americans stole their land from under them. At least they are helping to improve Maricopa and make it more desirable not only for the residents but also to people who are thinking of moving here. What have you done besides complain?

Perhaps you need to re enter a history class or two... You see, Once upon a time the Native Americans roamed free and had it all... land, lives families, and then the whiteman came along and killed and raped and pillage the Native American, out of greed and lust and lies...(Kind of Like Maricopa Goverment), and the white man so graciously granted the Native Americans the worst and most unfruitful lands in the nations A.K.A RES.... And the Native Americans still pull through for us... Go Figure.

Really? Maybe you need to read history yourself. Where is your facts about the Spanish and Mexicans coming up from the south and killing off many indians here in Arizona and California? Also, did hte Native Americans just sprout from the ground here in the US? More than likely, they walked over the land bridge. There are many reputabe sites that state they may not have been the first to arrive, as well.

you are an idiot johnthemayor......sorry, but your ignorance is astounding.....

johnthemayor you are a complete tool.....sorry but your ignorance is astounding

We are both thankful and grateful to Ak-Chin for stepping up and doing what is right by the people in our community. I am laughing my emmineffin ass off that the city of Maricopa was so money hungry that they taxed out EVERY potential business prospect before they even got the foundation poured, and now they literally have to "Pay the Price"!!! Kudos to you Ak-Chin for making the initiative to bring life to the area and bring hope to those of us who held no hope in the past years... Thank You.

Since the city won't or can't do this for us it's great that Ak-chin can step up!! We need something to do in Maricopa..

Excellent! Bravo to Ak-Chin for showing the City of Maricopa how to cut through red tape and make things happen. We will be more than happy to stay local and spend our $$ there rather than forcing us to drive into Ahwatukee or Casa Grande. Hopefully this will force a swift kick in the rump to this city to get some retail moving in or they will continually be losing out to Ak-Chin on this sort of thing.

Great news!!Maybe with the extra traffic through our town going to this awesome new deal they put together,we will have more clout with Fed,State,and ADOT on our much needed rail transition.Well done Ak-Chin!!Maricopa leaders may want to hang with this group to see how to get it done.

Still waiting for Mayor Smiths big anouncement of the Holiday Inn to come to reality.And a current counsil member upset over internet chatter aimed at some council members.And a current counsil member with a family member as a spokesperson for him.
No to Mr Dietrich
No to Mr Marchione
No to Mr Brown
No to Mr Ferrel
No to Mr Smith as County Supervisor

As someone who lived here before there was a "City of Maricopa" I have to say that those of you who are negative about AK-CHIN don't know what the hell you are talking about. AK-CHIN has done much to support this whole area. There was a time when we had no ambulance here and AK-CHIN always responded to emergencies at NO COST with top notch paramedics. They have infused millions of dollars into this economy and this project will be nothing but good.

I am proud of the AK-Chin community they made things happen, all we have is a city hall that can not produce jobs and intertainment, and a police dept with no leadership. Abbott and Castello please stand up.

This is a great step.

I cannot wait for this place!
And I am so sick and tired of hearing the people of Maricopa complain; you people are imposable to please and it’s sad, you make you’re self’s sound like idiots… this is great for Maricopa! And I don’t care where they build it either….The AK-Chin community is great and anyone who wants to say wrong of them don’t know them at all! At least they had the balls to step it up and really make a difference in this community and give everyone what they have been crying f

for years! (I don’t see the city doing anything!) Yet all you people can do is still complain…. (Questioned face)….I just don’t get it.

No one is complaining about Ak Chin. They are doing great things. However, we are simply stating that it would have been nice if Maricopa could have brought this complex and jobs to our city, not south of the city. This complex would have brought tax dollars to Maricopa and we have lost out. It is a simple point that more tax dollars would do nothing but help our city. That is the complaint, not against Ak Chin.

It would have been great if this was done in Maricopa, but we were nowhere close. We still have a Walgreens that never opened in our entertainment zone.

The Ak-Chin community has looked pretty smart throughout the last 5 years (as long as I have been noticing), so good for them. I hope Maricopa puts its back behind the medical and local college opportunites already taking shape. The idea we could be a college town with nearby entertainment is pretty interesting.

For those of you who think that the jobs will not come to our city, remember that the tribe only has so many members in it. They will not all have the experience that is required to do all of the jobs, so they will come to our residences to fill those positions not able to be filled from within their members.
Also the tribe has been good to the schools and our local businesses. They get what they need here in town because its sucks to travel to shop. The only down side is tax revenue.

that the city loses out on, but in the long run of things, it really does not matter. The real boost is the jobs and they will come to town for most of those jobs, or bring people into town to place in those key positions. They will inturn shop, live and buy here in Maricopa.
Thank you AK-Chin for bringing this to our area.

PS don't forget that the tribe did contribute money to our school district and if this things takes off, I would bet they will do it again.

Thanks again

OMG really? North, east, south, west it doesn’t matter where its at!! Its still in Maricopa! And it will bring jobs to a lot of people. Do you think Ak-Chin is just going to hire there own? Your thinking wrong!! So if going a few miles down the street to have a good time with your family is to much for you then keep wasting your gas driving into chandler!! GET REAL PEOPLE! I guess the leaders of Maricopa need to get there heads out of there you know what’s, and wake up!

OneLove, it is not 'in' Maricopa. It is on the rez. Therefore, the tax revenue will be going to Ak Chin, not Maricopa. Why can't you see that simple fact? Yes, it is great that a complex will be close to Maricopa. Awesome. However, it would be far better tax wise if it where actually within our land boundaries. Understand?

The problem is the city wants too much tax revenue for building the complex. Therefore, the next alternative wold be to build on reservation. IOnstead of complaining get out ther and vote for REAL leadership not sheep. Charles

I for one am very excited about this! As the mother of a high school student this will make my drives to Chandler for her entertainment much less frequent!!

This is WONDERFUL News!!! It makes our community better, for the young people and us old people. As for the tax revenue if AK Chin is smart enought and fast enought to get our community growing then more power to them. We live "south" of the tracks and can't wait, so what if it mean more traffic, it means more to our community, looking forward to it, and would assist them any way I could to make it happen quickly.

Just wonderful News! Something that the Town really needed but just couldn't come to terms with. I look forward to going to the Movies in Town without having to travel many miles.

JohnS ok, so it is on the reservation, Taxes bla, bla, bla, see unlike most people in this town I look at the bright side of things! Like new job opportunities FOR THE COMUNITTY and something for our kids and ourselves to do besides go to a bar or eat pizza. Yes, they are on the ‘Reservation’. HOWEVER, THEY ARE STILL JUST AS MUCH APART OF MARICOPA! IN ADDITION, HAVE STEPPED IT UP ALOT MORE THEN ARE SO CALLED CITY LEADERS WE HAVE! So more power to them, I hope they build more! THANK YOU AK-CHI

'Taxes, bla, bla, bla' Really? You realize it takes a good tax base for a town/city to thrive, right? Without that tax base, a town cannot thrive. Yes, it is great Ak Chin stepped up. It is too bad our town was unable to get it done. Sorry you don't feel that the loss of tax revenue for Maricopa is an issue.

You want a tax base. First give new business's a thee year tax reduction. Then after that time when the business has thrived and settled in start the usual taxes. This is how you think long term not short term. Bring them here in the first place. Charles

Happy to see more people coming on here that are just as happy as i am about this!

Woo hoo!!! Have been waiting a looooong time for this. It's unfortunate the city couldn't have pulled this off (and reaped the benefits).

Yay!!!!

Somehow, it's the minority(status quo) that don't get results in this town. For some strange reason, the minority has been running this town into the ground for quite sometime. I'm very thankful, in the 2 years of living in Maricopa, that Ak-Chin has step forward to supersede the inability of our city government to prosper for the majority of the community that they serve.

Ultimately, if the people don't vote the incompetent out, then we have to rely on others, like Ak-Chin to better our community. If there is no personal financial gain for our current elected officials, then all ideas are tabled or shot down and money is spent on lobbyist and consultants to make it look like they're doing the right thing. It's too bad the forward-thinking, innovative tribal members of the Ak-Chin tribe cannot run for public office, as I would vote for them. Thank you Ak-Chin!!

Well stated.

Thanks!!

Huskerincopa,well stated,and I agree.It seems our leaders are hellbent on getting a new facility for themselves and the top heavy,shady MPD.Why spend millions on a city hall,just to have a new place to spend more money?Do for the city, businesses,and taxpayers,and forget about keeping up with the Jones's,being other cities.Their studies and consulting firms are always comparing Maricopa to other cities.We need new fresh ideas in our leadership,and I hope it is on the horizon.

Thanks! The only way we get fresh ideas in our leadership is to get a lot more people out to vote. If I recall correctly, only about 20% of our population turns out to vote. That means that less than 20% of the population is voting for our future. Obviously that 20% are the ones representing the incompetent officials that continue to run our city. We, the voters, can change it. VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!

An arcade and bowling alley, plus an ampitheater? Hope the Ak-Chin and Maricopa police, as well as the sheriff's office, are getting prepared for the rowdy, drunken crowds that are sure to be roaming this place.

Way to have faith in your fellow citizens. I guess on the bright side, we won't have to deal with you there?

LOL @johnstone!

Boy Howdy!!

This is good news! Maricopa will benefit from this as well people will stop to spend money in the city. The community will not just hire members. There is not enough members. This is a great opportunity for the city of maricopa's residents to work closer to home.

When my teenage son first heard about this and was EXTREMELY excited! Then he read the details and to my surprise began to LOATHE it. And I do agree with him in some points. His major disappointment was the theatre; we have always stayed loyal to Harkins Theatres, and we hate using anyone else, we don't even use the AMC theater. He pointed out that we've never even heard about "UltraStar"... He told me (and I do agree) that he would rather drive the 20 minutes to the Harkins in Chandler.

UltraStar has very nice facilities and superior DLP-based projection technologies. I love Harkins myself, and loathe AMC, but UltraStar properties are well-appointed and a notch above the nice Harkins. They are based out of San Diego. I would be surprised if Harkins didn't bid on the project.

Also, the location is just horrible! The traffic would be disastrous and I couldnt imagine anyone from anywhere wanting to travel to Maricopa just to go to a Theatre and an arcade that's on a reservation next to a casino. I don't believe this will be a huge success. I myself will wait until they build something worth going to like an actual mall with a Harkins Theatre. If Casa Grande has one, we should have one too... :) Until then, I'll be going to the Malls and theaters in the Metro area :)

This place will have Movies, Bowling, Laser Tag, Billiards, Restaurants, Outdoor activities & Retail. Couple that with the Casino and Hotel and the drive will not be an issue for anyone because this place will be a destination not just a place to come to for a couple of hours. This is only a good thing for Maricopa. People have been complaining for years that there is nothing to do in Maricopa and now the same people complain that the location is bad or that they dont like the brand. Get Real.

Hey Irene85239, do not worry about it we would not want you and your whinny family there anyways…have fun driving! :) You kind of people blow me away… your never happy!!

Props to Ak Chin! This shows how weak our city leaders are. Lets clean house!

Ditto

We in maricopa need to acknowledge that we the residents of maricopa have no control over our current administration. We do have control on election day. So when you get ready to fill out your ballot ask yourself what has my maricopa administration done for our city and for me. A lot of talk no action? We need more than just walmart in our city. Maybe this new complex will encourage other business to want to come to our fine city.

Irene tell your son to give it a try he may like it. Would he rather have nothing like he has now or is something better than nothing. I am excited, I have lived here five years and nothing so we get something and we complain will we ever make everyone happy?? I think nought.

Harken vs ultrastar hummmmm look up ultra star on line.
nothing vs ultrastar I get it. We are a town of complainers. Our city could have done this but did not get over it. the ground is broke and 99% of us are greatful.

To all of the members of Ak-Chin - as well as the local government who participated in this exciting improvement -
Thank you.

This is fabulous news! Yes, its a bummer the city could not get this deal done. I believe that is TOTAL and COMPLETE greed mixed with a healthy dose of lack-of-vision-and-know-how and sprinkled with incompetence. That having been said, Congrats Ak-Chin for getting it done. The article sys it will be the largest entertainment complex in AZ .... what else will be there?

As reported by InMaricopa in a story today about employment,
"Out of Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort’s 685 employees, 413, or 66 percent, live in Maricopa. Maricopans work in all areas of the business, according to data provided by the casino’s public relations firm. I would say that anything that AkChin does benefits the City of Maricopa.

I'm not a year around resident in Maricopa, however I do own a home I travel to about 8 times a year in Maricopa. I seem to always read or hear that casinos never help local communities. I also currently live in Oregon where there are casinos, and over the past few years growth seems to only be happening within close distant of casinos. The casinos might not directly affect local communities, but the support mechanisms in place surely do! My last visit to this casino outside Maricopa after

with a few employees within the casino, they all were Maricopa residents. So wouldn't that mean that they buy groceries, gas, household items? This is bringing money back into Maricopa! This entertain center will bring spent money into Maricopa !! I think this community should fully support this new addition to it's community

"Though the city was not involved with the planning of the complex"

that's the problem NO ONE IS ON THE SAME PAGE. Nothing but a bunch of BULL SHIT!!!! Whatever happend to the Hotel they were suppossed to build. Maricopa Sucks!!!!

Instead of complaining, do something about it.......

Is it true that Walmart does not have to pay taxes for 7 years??? Even if the city brought it here they probably would have had to give them some deal like they did Walmart. Great job Ak-Chin!!!!!!