15 June 20th-June 26th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Non-resident fee: $10 adults; $7 children Mesquite Aquatic Center 100 W. Mesquite St., Gilbert 480-503-6206 Sharing its amenities with Mesquite Junior High School, this facility serves the recreational and compet- itive needs of East Valley residents. Locker rooms, a concession stand and shaded ramadas surround the large central pool, with eight competition lanes at its core. It also includes a rectangular deep end for diving and a polygonal zero-depth play area complete with mushroom- shaped waterfall structures and a small slide for the littlest ones and an ADA chair lift. Steps away is a second pool with two twisty slides. In addition to open swim sessions, the center offers swim and dive lessons, a junior lifeguard program and aquacise classes, as well as hosts two swim teams. The center is known to get crowded, so get there early if you want to choose the best lounge chair. Public swim hours: Monday through Friday 1 to 6 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fee: $3 adults, $1 kids ages 17 and younger Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center 5901 S. Hillcrest Drive, Chandler 480-782-2635 Like its Avondale counterpart, this award- winning sports complex — it was named Outstanding Facility by Arizona Parks and Recreation in 2009 — has all the top amenities. Located adjacent to Basha High School, it features a competition pool with diving boards, a zero-depth-entry pool, a 350-foot-long lazy river, two slides, a spray pad and a 725-gallon tumble bucket. It also offers extensive programs, including year- round swim lessons, a swim team, life- guard training and water safety courses, and aquatic fitness classes. But what really makes it stand out is the fact that it’s been designated a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, ensuring that people of all abilities have a safe and welcoming experience. New this summer is a sensory guide, provided by IBCCE, that will help staff members understand how different elements of the facility can affect a person with sensory- processing sensitivities. Public swim hours (through July 16): Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.; Friday through Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Lap swim hours: Monday through Thursday 7 to 9 p.m. Fee: $2.25 adults; $1.25 seniors ages 55 and older; $1 children ages 2-17 Pecos Pool 17010 S. 48th St. 602-534-9255 Pecos Park in South Phoenix may be best known for its pickleball courts, but its swimming pool also is worth checking out, especially if you live in or around Ahwatukee. The large outdoor facility includes two pools: a large lap pool that’s connected to a zero-depth-entry play pool, complete with spray features and dual figure-eight slides, and a separate diving pool with two diving boards. A splash pad and playground are located just outside the pool facility. Restrooms, showers and drinking fountains are available, but unlike at Cortez, there are no concessions and limited seating options. Swim lessons for children and adults are offered. Open swim hours: Monday-Thursday, Saturday-Sunday noon-6 p.m. Fee: $3 adults; $1 kids and senior Rhodes Aquatic Complex 1860 S. Longmore, Mesa 480-644-2550 It may not be the fanciest in the Valley, but this pool complex that’s attached to Rhodes Junior High offers something no other pool does: a FlowRider. Open to both kids and adults, the surfing simulator adds some high-energy fun to an aquatic outing. If extreme sports aren’t your thing, there’s still plenty to do here. The pool features eight competitive lap lanes, a zero-depth- entry play zone and a diving well with two 1-meter diving boards and one 3-meter diving board, and a splash pad and tumble buckets will keep toddlers and little ones entertained for hours. Set up on the shaded bleachers or bring your own lounge chair, and concession facilities are available onsite. Swimming and diving lessons and water exercise classes are offered, and the facility also hosts swim, dive and artistic swim teams. Public swim hours: Monday through Thursday 1 to 6 p.m.; Friday 1 to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. FlowRider hours: Monday through Thursday 1 to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Fee: $4 adults, $2 kids and seniors Surprise Aquatic Center 15831 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise 623-222-2500 Spring training may be over, but residents still flock to Surprise City Center. Instead of going to Surprise Stadium, however, they head across the street to the aquatic center. This popular facility — get there early, as lines form out the door — is a water wonderland for the whole family. It includes a competition lap pool with a diving well and two diving boards, a zero- depth-entry play pool with spray features and two spiraling slides, and a vortex whirlpool. Seating options include bleachers and benches, and outside food is not allowed, but the center does have a snack bar. Swim lessons, water aerobics, lifeguard training and competitive swim teams also are offered. Open swim hours: Monday through Thursday, Saturday and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.; Friday noon to 4 p.m. (through July 31) Lap swim hours: Monday through Thursday 6 to 7 a.m. and noon to 9 p.m. (through July 31) Resident fee: $3 adults, $2 kids ages 6 months to 17 years Non-resident fee: $5 all ages Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) LET’S MOVE SOME STUFF: 2024 FORD MAVERICK XLTW 2024 FORD MAVERICK XLTW T he good ole boys who he good ole boys who love their F-150’s and love their F-150’s and Silverados will laugh Silverados will laugh the Maverick buyers out the Maverick buyers out of the clubhouse because of the clubhouse because they don’t think compact they don’t think compact trucks are real trucks but trucks are real trucks but the Ford Maverick puts a the Ford Maverick puts a nice boy on a functional nice boy on a functional vehicle and is something vehicle and is something you should consider if you should consider if you move people, stuff or you move people, stuff or people and stuff. people and stuff. The interior of the The interior of the Maverick is basic, simple Maverick is basic, simple and perfect for what Ford is and perfect for what Ford is trying to achieve. Function trying to achieve. Function and affordability. You can fit and affordability. You can fit 4 adults (5 with a squeeze) 4 adults (5 with a squeeze) in the cab. You have in the cab. You have limited technology but does limited technology but does come with the Apple car come with the Apple car play/Android auto. You get play/Android auto. You get exceptional storage with exceptional storage with several large water bottle several large water bottle holders and some storage holders and some storage nooks and crannies strown nooks and crannies strown throughout. throughout. The turbocharged The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and 2.0-liter engine and all wheel drive deliver all wheel drive deliver just the right amount of just the right amount of performance, towing (4,000 performance, towing (4,000 lbs) and payload (1,500 lbs) and payload (1,500 lbs) and a solid 20/24 lbs) and a solid 20/24 MPG fuel economy. The MPG fuel economy. The Maverick which reminds Maverick which reminds me of the old Chevy S10 me of the old Chevy S10 from back in the day is a from back in the day is a compact truck with not a compact truck with not a lot of competition (Hyundai lot of competition (Hyundai Santa Cruz) and a lot of Santa Cruz) and a lot of value. The XTL Tremor value. The XTL Tremor comes in at an amazing comes in at an amazing $34,950. Take a look at $34,950. Take a look at this bad boy from Ford and this bad boy from Ford and let’s move some stuff! let’s move some stuff! Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles:
