Chairman Millette called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.

MOTION BY Commissioner Brian Murphy, SECONDED BY Vice Chairman Rachel Bretthauer to EXCUSE Commissioner Jose Gonzales, Commissioner Kiesha Beard, and Alternate Mary Sarkis. The motion carried as follows:

AYE:

Chairman Chad Millette, Vice Chairman Rachel Bretthauer, Commissioner Sharolyn Hohman, Commissioner John Cox, Commissioner Brian Murphy

Passed - Unanimously

Ron Wilks gave an update on pickleball in the Southwest Valley. There are now 95 courts available in the Southwest Valley, 67 of which are private courts and 28 of which are public courts. Friendship Park in Avondale has recently opened 8 gorgeous state-of-the-art courts. Ron recited a paragraph from a book called The Pickleball Cure. Pickleball is a sport viewed as recreation, but it is much more than that. The book is not about how to play pickleball, but the amazing therapy that it provides to different people. It fuses 3 healing ingredients: physical movement, social connection, and emotional connection. Ron will be having a Pickleball Seminar and will be reviewing more of the book on March 2, 2026, at 6pm at the Goodyear Recreation Center and encourages everyone to come. Finally, he presented a banner of an organization he is part of called the USSP (US Senior Pickleball), representing the Senior Community. Pickleball was once known as a sport for "old people" and now it is skewing in the opposite direction and continuing to grow rapidly. Both Commissioners Chad and John agreed with the continuing surge of pickleball and how high schools and colleges are now looking into the possibility of pickleball being a school sport. Interm Parks and Recreation Director David Seid also mentioned that during GRC Phase II the expansion of the pickleball court complex is still planned on moving forward with the continuing surge of popularity.

MOTION BY Commissioner Sharolyn Hohman, SECONDED BY Commissioner John Cox to APPROVE the draft minutes from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting held on December 18, 2025. The motion carried as follows:

AYE:

Chairman Chad Millette, Vice Chairman Rachel Bretthauer, Commissioner Sharolyn Hohman, Commissioner John Cox, Commissioner Brian Murphy

Passed - Unanimously

Wayne Smith, Right of Way Superintendent, provided an update of the Bullard Wash Trail Extension. Currently, they are at a 60% design phase, meaning they have most ideas laid out with some changes that have to go through the planning department. Wayne presented a PowerPoint on the 3 main areas of the trail design; McDowell Trail Hub, Van Buren Trailhead, and Well Site Area. The design phase must be at 100% design approval before starting any contracting. The trail starts from the McDowell Bridge and continues all the way down to Lower Buckeye by the ballpark. The McDowell trail design will transition from turf at the Bullard Wash to a possible 16 to 20-foot pass with concrete in the center and softer dirt on the outside. There will be a small play area for children and families to enjoy and pass through. Landscaping will be desert native and there will not be bathrooms at this stop. They are planning on having a Quantis Play System with a possible bridge and slide, but due to code and height of walls, the bridge concept may change. The Van Buren Trailhead will not have any play equipment, but will have an outdoor shaded classroom area, art installation, bathrooms, a parking lot, and a bike repair station. Landscaping will again keep with the desert theme. This concept area will resemble an area to gather and take a break. The Well Site Area is again more of an area just to pass through and relax. This path is connected to an adjacent neighborhood where you can also enter and exit, unlike the other 2 areas. The landscape will again keep to the other 2 conceptual designs of the desert native. Finally, the major project milestones are as follows: April 2026 they plan to be at 90% with the final design by June 2026, starting construction in Fall 2026, and completion in late Summer of 2028. The Bullard Wash Trail logo is still in the works and the commissioners would like to see the updated version. 

David Seid, Interim Parks & Recreation Director, gave an update of the Spring Training presentation Bruce Kesseman, Ballpark Superintendent, gave to counsel on February 2, 2026. Starting on February 13, 2026 we will be having a college series 2026 MLB Desert Invitational featuring 2 games. The first game will be Kansas State vs Iowa State and then Penn State vs Air Force. The first Spring Training game kicks off on February 21st, 2026, featuring the Cincinnati Reds vs Cleveland Guardians. There were some updates to the ballpark on the left-field landing, including a tear-down of some seats that didn't regularly sell very well and updating to an area that has a shaded structure to have group seating sales that will be available for meetings or luncheons. It will be available for use even after Spring Training. The suites were also fully renovated with furniture, bigger TVs, new bars/refrigerators, and seating. There are 6 suites available for purchase with different package options available. The menu was also updated to have high-end items like the Diablo burger, and we will also have a value menu at the concessions in the outfield. There will be 3 different dates for game day giveaways. February 21st will feature a Spring Training calendar magnet that also turns into a frame if you pull out the calendar portion. On March 17th, they will have St Patrick's Day-themed drinking glasses that will be given on your way out of the game. And finally, on March 22nd, they will give out Ace, the Goodyear mascot, as a stress ball. A few events being held after the games on select Sundays are kids running the bases and the Senior Stroll. It is a great way to get on the field if you have never done so before. A few ticket promotions they will have available this year are Goodyear resident discount, Military appreciation offers, child pricing, senior discount, and 2 different First Responders Days. Everything you need to know is also available at goodyearbp.com. 

David Seid, Interm Parks and Recreation Director, went over some updates that are going on the next couple of months. First, Spring Training is the big one coming up. Next, lifeguard hiring for the Goodyear Aquatics Center as summer is fast approaching. GRC Phase II design is starting to get rolling. Heart and Sole is on February 7, 2026. We sold 800 registrations, 200 more than last year, and it still sold out again. LEAD Presentation is in March and the commission is interested in attending. 

Vice Chairman Rachel Bretthauer requested to have contact information for each person on the commission. All the commissioners were OK with this request, and it was sent out to each of them.