Copper Sky opens with expectation of becoming regional draw

If you go:
WHAT: Copper Sky open house
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday
WHERE: SR347 and Bowlin Road

As Maricopa ramps up for the grand opening of its Copper Sky Recreation Complex Saturday, the city is looking forward to promoting the venue not only for the enjoyment of its residents but as a vehicle for economic development.

Copper Sky, a multigenerational/aquatic center and regional park off State Route 347 and Bowlin Road, opens for business 11 a.m. Sunday, although the fields will get a workout Saturday from Maricopa Little League teams, the same day as the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. open house of the public.

Maricopa City Councilwoman Peggy Chapados said Copper Sky is a “brand new facility which we hope the people of Maricopa will use. We hope it will attract people from outside the area, too, and become a regional draw.”

Copper Sky will be the only regional facility of its size in western Pinal County, she pointed out.

“We hope it will become a regional center for sports tournaments, festivals, concerts, indoor events and workshops. While people are in Maricopa they will buy gas, eat at our restaurants — that will all bring in additional sales tax revenue to the city,” Chapados said.

The city’s former marketing manager Audra Trudell (who recently took a job elsewhere) said, “The majority of revenue the city will receive from sports tournaments and regional events is through rental fees and sales tax from increased activity at local businesses. The city also receives funds from recreation programs that take place both on the fields and in the multigenerational center.”

Councilwoman Julia Gusse said the complex “will be a place to showcase the pride and joy of the city” and get people from the Valley “to come and join us and make this a success.”

Trudell said the city has some events planned, such as the Salsa Festival to be held on March 29, a Fishing Derby on April 5, a spring concert series on Fridays in April, and Movie in the Park in May and June.

“The city has had lots of interest from various sports groups about hosting tournaments at the new Copper Sky Regional Park,” Trudell said. “Once the complex is open and we are able to give tours of the fields, we anticipate final applications will be submitted to the city.”

Gusse said the city’s search for a new city manager, marketing manager and community services director has slowed some the process of planning regional events.

Chapados said the process has not been slowed. Once the complex opens and staff is on board, the city will be able to market the facility to regional contracts.

“I think that’s why we don’t have the contracts yet — we have to open the facility before we can accept the contracts,” Chapados said.

“One of Maricopa’s primary goals for Copper Sky is economic development,” she said. “Once the grade separation project — the 347 bridge over the tracks — once that starts, all of the area south of the railroad tracks will open for future development.”

Chapados said Copper Sky could act as an anchor for that new development. There is a 27-acre parcel between SR 347 and Copper Sky the city hopes will attract many economic development proposals, including retail, restaurants, a hotel — “there are all kinds of opportunities.”