QUEEN CREEK, AZ (April 17, 2025) – The Town of Queen Creek’s long-anticipated Recreation & Aquatic Center opened March 29 with great fanfare – but many families in neighboring areas have been left high and dry. The sprawling new facility, which cost roughly $65–70 million and features pools, water slides and a full indoor recreation center, is open only to Queen Creek residents. That residency requirement has sparked frustration among thousands of nearby San Tan Valley residents who are currently not allowed to join or freely use the center.
Town officials defend the “residents only” policy as fair to the taxpayers who funded the project, but critics argue it is exclusionary. “The town feels pretty strongly that it’s the residents that have funded the facility… it’s the residents of Queen Creek that should be able to use it,” said Queen Creek’s Parks and Recreation director. Meanwhile, families in unincorporated San Tan Valley – many with Queen Creek mailing addresses – call the rule unjust. One online petition decried “discrimination on the basis of residential area” and urged that “a public community center should uphold…equality and inclusivity” regardless of ZIP code. As summer approaches, the debate over who gets to cool off in Queen Creek’s new pools is boiling over.
A State-of-the-Art Center Built for Queen Creek
Queen Creek’s new Recreation & Aquatic Center is a marquee addition to the town’s park system, envisioned for years to meet growing demand. Located at Frontier Family Park (22343 E. Ryan Rd.), the complex includes a 68,000-square-foot indoor recreation building and an outdoor aquatic park. Residents lined up on opening day for tours and membership sign-ups, eager to see the amenities. The indoor facility boasts a fitness gym, walking track, sport courts for basketball/volleyball, a teen center, and even a teaching kitchen.
Next month, the expansive outdoor Aquatic Center portion is set to open with an array of family-friendly water features:
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Lazy river & leisure pool
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Competition lap pool
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Water slides
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Spray pad & kids’ splash areas
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Shaded picnic patios and reservable party spaces
Town leaders say the center will be a hub for community wellness and fun. The project was approved in 2021 after surveys showed strong resident support. It was financed through Queen Creek’s general fund, with no direct contributions from neighboring communities. For Queen Creek’s roughly 80,000 residents, the new center is a proud investment in local quality of life.
Residents-Only Membership Rules
From the outset, Queen Creek made clear that membership and day-pass access is restricted to town residents only. In practice, the new Recreation & Aquatic Center operates almost like an exclusive club for Queen Creek locals. Key access rules include:
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Proof of residency required: Only Town of Queen Creek residents can purchase annual memberships or daily passes. Visitors must show a Queen Creek address via ID and utility bill or other documents.
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Non-residents must be guests: No non-resident may purchase a pass on their own. The only way for a non-resident to enter is as a sponsored guest accompanied by a Queen Creek resident. Each member may bring at most two guests per day.
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No general admission for outsiders: Non-town residents cannot buy their own day entry, monthly pass, or membership – no exceptions beyond the limited guest policy.
These policies apply to all amenities, from the pools to the gym. Non-residents are allowed to enroll in specific classes or programs at the center, but only with a surcharge and only for the duration of the class – not general access.
Town officials maintain the restrictions were intentional. The membership system is structured to benefit those who paid to build and now operate the center through their taxes. Another practical reason for limiting attendance may be capacity. Opening it to all comers from the region could overwhelm the facilities.
San Tan Valley Neighbors Left Out
For families in San Tan Valley, the exclusion hits hard. San Tan Valley is an expansive unincorporated community in Pinal County that directly borders Queen Creek. Many residents there consider Queen Creek the closest town for shopping, schools, and recreation – in fact, some San Tan Valley neighborhoods have “Queen Creek” mailing addresses despite not being inside the town limits. Yet when it comes to the new aquatic center, these neighbors are being turned away at the door.
That frustration is amplified by the town’s growth. Queen Creek has annexed parts of what some consider San Tan Valley’s informal borders, yet the town’s official policy draws a strict line: unless your home is within the incorporated boundaries of Queen Creek, you’re not allowed access. Some residents, unaware of this nuance, were surprised to learn that their Queen Creek mailing address didn’t qualify them for access.
Community Reaction and Backlash
The community response to the residency restrictions has been loud and emotional, especially from San Tan Valley families. Many have taken to social media to express dismay, noting that Queen Creek’s stance seems at odds with the spirit of a public community center.
Multiple online petitions have emerged. One petition called the policy “unjust and unfair,” especially punishing children “who cannot control the part of town they are raised in.” Another argued that Queen Creek should allow non-residents to purchase access, even at a higher price. These petitions quickly gathered hundreds of signatures, with many residents from both communities asking for a more inclusive approach.
Some Queen Creek residents support the policy, seeing it as a matter of fairness and capacity. They argue that non-residents don’t pay town taxes and shouldn’t expect the same access. Others, however, have shown sympathy and signed the petitions, suggesting alternatives like offering a set number of non-resident memberships or creating “open swim” days for general public access.
Town Stands Firm (For Now)
Despite the backlash, Queen Creek officials have not signaled any plans to change the residency requirement. The town’s messaging has remained consistent: the facility is for residents who paid for it. At recent public meetings, officials reiterated that the rules ensure residents benefit directly from their tax investment.
With summer approaching, families across San Tan Valley are left scrambling for alternative pool options or hoping for policy changes. The issue has become symbolic of the broader divide between Queen Creek and its unincorporated neighbor – a growing region that feels increasingly connected yet cut off when it comes to town resources.
For now, unless you live within the borders of Queen Creek or know someone who does, the message remains: You’re not on the list.
Sources:
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AZFamily / CBS 5 News
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Town of Queen Creek – Official Website
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Queen Creek Parks & Recreation Center Membership Policies
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Frontier Family Park Planning Documents
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Change.org Petitions Regarding Aquatic Center Access
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Civil+Structural Engineer Magazine
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Local social media commentary and community forums
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Pinal County and San Tan Valley demographic data
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USPS ZIP Code Lookup Tool
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Interviews with residents and Queen Creek officials via local news segments
