As a mother of five young children who love spending their summer days at the Aquatic Center, it was truly disappointing to realize that our family, along with many others dwelling outside the specified Queen Creek boundaries, are denied access to the new Queen Creek Aquatic Center. For the past two years, my children have been eagerly anticipating the opening of this center, only to be told that our home is unfortunately outside the town’s designated boundaries and we do not qualify for membership.

It is important to acknowledge the injustice in only allowing Queen Creek residents to fully enjoy these facilities, despite the town of Queen Creek having annexed significant parts of the San Tan Valley, leaving most of its residents behind. The current day pass policy permitting only two people per pass and requiring the accompaniment of a Queen Creek resident is restrictive, particularly for bigger families.

While I understand the concerns for population and resources management, exposing a wider audience to the center could bring a financial uplift through a higher fee for non-residents and create a more inclusive community. Many families like mine are more than willing to pay additional charges to enjoy the services provided by the Aquatic Center.

An Aquatic Center should serve as a hub for leisure, fun, and community gathering for all close by, not just a select few. While residents’ preferences are taken into account, it's paramount to acknowledge non-residents in the surrounding areas. We humbly request that Queen Creek reconsider its Aquatic Center’s policy and provide accessible alternatives for non-residents. Please help us make the joy of aquatic activities accessible to more families by signing our petition.