Facilities Closures

DECEMBER and JANUARY HOLIDAY CLOSURES

• Wednesday, December 24: All GVR centers including pools, spas, and fitness facilities close at 6pm.
• Thursday, December 25: Limited facilities available from 5:30am–1pm: pools, fitness centers, and sports courts open at Canoa Ranch, Desert Hills, Las Campanas, East Center, Santa Rita Springs, and West Center. The Pickleball Center is open dawn-1pm. GVR Admin offices, the West Center Box Office, meeting rooms, and club spaces are closed.
• Wednesday, December 31: All centers close at 6pm.
• Thursday, January 1: The West Center Box Office and GVR Administrative offices are closed. Centers are open as usual.

MAINTENANCE CLOSURES

• Unexpectedly, the Canoa Hills pool had to be closed due to pump issues that prevent circulation and heating of the water. Please stay tuned for updates.
• The West Center locker rooms, spa, and pool are closed on Friday, December 26 for plumbing repairs.

• The Abrego South pool, spa, and shower room buildings are closed. Shuffleboard , horseshoes, and sand volleyball are open and restrooms are available via the rec room. Drop-in users should anticipate traffic through the rec room.

Abrego South Pool Update: December 23, 2025

Returning winter residents may be surprised to find the Abrego South aquatics facilities closed. To bring you all up to date:
The pool, spa, and changing rooms were closed in August due to rapidly advancing cracks in the building and pool, and heaving on the pool deck that presented trip hazards. The Santa Rita Fire District and Pima County building services were involved in the closure decision.

A long-time Tucson-based geotechnical firm was consulted. They conducted an extensive on-site visit and took core samples from various locations around the pool deck. They found soils that have been repeatedly saturated by chronic plumbing failures. These failures are commonly seen when a 70s-era pool is at the end of its life. In the 1970s, pool builders did not yet recognize the need to compact soils well beyond the perimeter of the pool shell. Over time, these uncompacted soils naturally shift and settle, stressing and breaking the plumbing that serves the pool and spa. The leaks further destabilize the inadequately prepared soils and eventually, the integrity of the structures is compromised. See the December 3 Green Valley News cover article for a similar story.

GVR’s 2026 budget includes funding for the replacement of the pool, should the Board decide it is feasible to do so. The Board has directed staff to gather the information needed for the decision-making process. Staff solicited bids from architects to develop a design concept and associated cost estimates. Burton and Associates were the winning bidders. This week, we will engage their services.

Next Steps and ESTIMATED Timeline:

• December: Hire the architect (done today!)
• January: Community input needed. Meetings with the pool and recreation center users will help guide the design. Watch for announcements in the Friday Eblast and on-site at the Abrego South Center.
• April: A concept design with rough cost estimates will be submitted for review by the community and the GVR Board of Directors.
• April or May: GVR Board will consider the options and budget and make a decision.

Canoa Hills Fitness A/C Update: December 23, 2025

In October, two parts of the HVAC unit serving the Canoa Hills fitness center failed: the frequency driver and the condenser fan motor. The frequency driver has arrived, but the motor had to be ordered from the factory overseas and has been repeatedly delayed. The latest estimate is that the motor will be shipped out next week, so we hope to schedule repairs by mid-January.

We understand that this is a frustrating delay for folks who prefer the Canoa Hills fitness center over the other five facilities. Staff have been in very frequent contact with our HVAC vendor, and we would all prefer a quick resolution.

Since COVID, the supply chain for HVAC (and pool equipment) has been deeply troubled. A quick Google search reveals that parts and supplies that were once “off the shelf” now have weeks or months-long backorders. Materials and transportation costs have gone up, and ports continue to struggle with worker shortages that create bottlenecks. Some members have suggested we keep a backup supply of parts. We do, to the degree that we can. GVR does not have a warehouse that can accommodate all the parts needed for our various brands, models, and sizes of HVAC systems.  Fortunately, GVR’s fifteen recreation facilities ensure that members have other fitness centers, pools, meeting rooms, and sports courts to enjoy when one center is experiencing the worst of the supply chain challenges. Staff realize that members highly value routines and convenience. We work hard to minimize service disruption. Sometimes, circumstances beyond our control prevent success. We very much regret the inconvenience.

Lightning and Pool Closures

GVR closes pools and clears pool decks whenever lightning is detected within five miles. The information can be found in the Corporate Policy Manual (CPM):

1.2.8 Special Uses, E. GVR Pool Management Policies

• GVR pools shall operate in compliance with Pima County Code Title 8, Chapter 8.322, Swimming Pool and Spas,” and any other applicable Pima County regulations.
• GVR staff has authority to close a swimming pool or spa if they determine that its operation and use presents danger to individuals.
• GVR determines when to close indoor and outdoor swimming pools and spas as a safety precaution.
  • Both outdoor and indoor pools will be evacuated before or when lightning is within five miles.
  • At the first signs of thunder or lightning occurring within five miles of an aquatic facility, all pool decks will close until 30 minutes after the last observed thunder or lightning.

Service Animals

Reminder: Only trained, working ADA service animals are allowed on GVR property. These animals are specifically trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities and must remain under their handler’s control at all times. Handlers are expected to ensure their service animal is well-behaved. Please note that therapy animals, emotional support animals, and pets are not permitted.

Lost and Found

GVR West Center Box Office at 1111 GVR Drive, 520-625-0288 (Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm)

Lost Something? We might have it. High-value items like jewelry, wallets, and electronics have been turned in and are waiting to be claimed. Valuables are held at the Box Office for 60 days. Everyday items such as towels and water bottles are held at the center where they were left behind, then donated after two weeks. Hygiene items and supplies are discarded. All donations go to the White Elephant.