PHX Surf plans construction this summer

Maricopa’s long-awaited surf park may break ground this summer, according to city records. 

Plans for PHX Surf, first announced by InMaricopa in May 2021, are inching ever closer to fruition after nearly three years of choppy waters. 

A tentative project schedule dated Nov. 30, 2023, obtained through a public records request, shows that construction on the waterpark is expected to start in late June. The substantial completion date was marked as late Feb. 2026. 

“We’re still waiting on PHX Surf to submit their formal Development Review Permit,” said Development Services Department Director Rodolfo Lopez. 

The city and Mesa-based PHX Surf are finalizing land agreements for the surf park, which includes a lease of about 13 acres of land that will hold the wave pool. 

“They own most of the land,” City Manager Rick Horst told InMaricopa. “Under the state statutes, with a water facility, such a surf pool requires such a large body of water, it has to be leased from land that the city owned.” 

Original plans detailed a 71-acre facility with two surf lagoons, water slides, a lazy river and a pump track as well as a spa and outdoor concert stage. 

Last year, the waterpark said it would scale back to just one pool and eliminate the lazy river, slides and music venue. 

PHX Surf representatives did not immediately respond for comment.