The Arizona Rattlers will move their practice location to Copper Sky with the sponsorship of the Ak-Chin Indian Community. Submitted photo

Copper Sky Multigenerational Complex will host the Arizona Rattlers Arena Football team for spring workouts this month.

The practices are scheduled to start on March 8 and will be open to the public March 12-25 and last from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. daily.

A scrimmage is planned to coincide with the 12th annual Salsa Festival on March 19. The Rattlers are five-time Arena Bowl champions, and won three straight in 2012-14.

“I just want to make the point that this is going to be about the city and about the Ak-Chin Indian Community,” Rattlers head coach Kevin Guy said. “We’re going to put ourselves into the community for two and a half weeks, and I know our players are excited about it. Hopefully this is going to be the start of this year’s championship; it starts right here in Maricopa.”

Guy is also the team’s general manager.

The team will host a kids camp while in town, and from 4 to 5 p.m. on March 16 and 23 the community can participate in the “Read with a Rattler” event in which the team will be reading with children, signing autographs.

“This was made possible through our longstanding partnership with the Ak-Chin Indian Community,” Maricopa Mayor Christian Price said. “The Ak-Chin have so graciously donated to Copper Sky and are also major sponsors of the Arizona Rattlers and have now brought us all together for a wonderful partnership that will benefit both of our communities and the region as a whole.”

To accommodate the team, Copper Sky will close the weight room March 15, 17, 22 and 24 from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. and 10:35 to 11:35 a.m.

Field 8, on the south side of the park, will become a practice field for the Rattlers.

“This is really about growth and about opportunity,” Rattlers President Chris Presson said. “We’re repurposing certain areas including Copper Sky (Multigenerational Complex), which we find to be a marvelous facility, and we want to bring value to your community.”

The Rattlers will cap off training camp with Fan Fest on March 26 at UltraStar Multi-tainment Center, 16000 N. Maricopa Road, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Players, Sidewinders dancers and Rattlers mascot Stryker will be in attendance.

For more information on the Arizona Rattlers and their community initiatives, please visit azrattlers.com.

This story ran in the March issue of InMaricopa News.

[quote_box_center]Community Initiatives part of Rattlers Training Camp

• Players will visit the Maricopa Public Library, 41600 W. Smith Enke Road, Maricopa, on various days throughout camp, including March 16 and 23, for the “Read with a Rattler” campaign for local youth which includes autographs and photos.

• An exclusive 9th Man Member BBQ for 2016 season ticket holders will be held Sunday, March 13 at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, 48456 W. Highway 238, Maricopa.

• On March 19, fans are invited to watch an intersquad scrimmage at Copper Sky Regional Park from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. followed by the Maricopa Salsa Festival. The Arizona Sidewinders dance team and Rattlers mascot, Stryker, will join the team for games and giveaways from 2-8 p.m.

• On March 26, the Rattlers will host their annual Fan Fest event at UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle, 16000 N. Maricopa Rd, on the Ak-Chin Circle Field, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  In addition to Fan Fest the team will also host a Kids Camp in conjunction with the City of Maricopa’s Community Services Department.

“Giving back to the community has always been an important part of the Rattlers organization,” said Rattlers team president Chris Presson. “Our owner, Ron Shurts, places a strong emphasis on supporting the community and we are excited to expand that relationship with the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the City of Maricopa.”[/quote_box_center]