BUILDING THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC SAFETY Can’t-miss summer programs! SURPRISEAZ.GOV/PROGRESSMAG • SUMMER 2026 Opening date set for new community center. Plus,City Council Meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month; no meetings are held in July. Agendas are published at least 24 hours in advance of the meetings. View the agendas for City Council and the City’s Boards and Commissions at surpriseaz.gov/Agendas. Surprise Progress is published by the City of Surprise Marketing & Communications Department. Read it online at surpriseaz.gov/ProgressMag. Comments? Call 623.222.1431 or email communications@surpriseaz.gov. This magazine does not publish any outside advertising. SUMMER 2026 | Volume 26 | No. 3 DISTRICT 1 Nick Haney VICE MAYOR, DISTRICT 2 Earle Greenberg DISTRICT 3 Patrick Duffy DISTRICT 4 Johnny V. Melton DISTRICT 5 Jack Hastings DISTRICT 6 Chris Judd MAYOR Kevin Sartor CITY MANAGER Andrea Davis - 623.222.1100 CITY COUNCIL - 623.222.1300 WATCH LIVE TELEVISED MEETINGS ON surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseTV Megan Sawyer Amanda Steele Nichole Wiley WRITERS | COPY EDITORS Ambria Brown Lorena Cano Muriel M. Sawicki DESIGN | PHOTOGRAPHY Virginia Mungovan CHIEF EDITOR /CityOfSurprise W e recently celebrated the culmination of a year-long Surprise America 250 initiative with a spectac- ular Independence Day event, complete with a bigger than ever fireworks display that I hope you were able to experience with family and friends. When I began serving as your mayor in January of last year, I knew I wanted the 250th anniver- sary of the signing of the Decla- ration of Independence to be commemorated well here in Surprise, and I cannot thank our City staff, local schools, community organizations and residents enough for the way everyone embraced this celebration and carried its momentum throughout the year. I am incredibly proud of how our tribute to this historic moment grew into countless opportunities for our community to cele- brate and learn together. From service projects to music and art, and from story times and educational programs to a fantastic Fourth of July event, it was amazing to see how our country’s story was woven into it all. Community involvement was at the heart of every event. Our Surprise libraries hosted America 250-themed programs that taught families about our nation’s history in engaging and meaningful ways. Surprise Arts added another spe- cial element with patriotic musical performances. Our local schools and students also played an im- portant role as our young residents connected the nation’s founding principles to the future they will help shape. One of the most moving moments of the year came when Surprise hosted The Wall That Heals, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The exhibit touched so many in our community. I was also honored to take part by sharing reflections on my 20 years of service in the United States Army and the impor- tance of living a life dedicated to service. Thanks to all of you, America 250 became more than a celebration of Independence Day. It reminded us of the shared commitment we have in making our country and city a special place to call home. MayorKevin Sartor THE COUNCIL UPDATE surpriseaz.gov/ Mayor 2 surpriseaz.gov | SUMMER 2026 In May, we broke ground on the Surprise Police Department’s first substation, located in northwest Surprise. As leaders in this community, it’s critical that we keep our neighbors and first responders safe. This building will become much more than a facility. It will serve as a home base for the dedicated men and women who answer the call without hesitation, putting themselves between danger and those who call our city home. I’ve heard from community members and families about ensuring our public safety resources grow with our city. This project helps meet that need and reflects our commitment to join together in our shared responsibility for the future. Details on page 5. Our newest City division, Surprise Arts, is bringing an exciting lineup of performances to The Vista Center for the Arts, and I’m excited to see these opportunities right here in our community. As someone who has spent my life in a theatrical family, it’s really special to have quality live music, performing arts and cultural experiences so close to home! This partnership helps grow our local arts scene and gives friends and families more chances to come together, enjoy something fun and make memories. It’s just one more way we’re making Surprise an even more vibrant place to live. Check out page 8 for the full season lineup! We’re continuing to see exciting growth across Surprise, especially in the Prasada East area at the southwest corner of Sarival Avenue and Waddell Road, giving residents even more to look forward to. Flower Child is on the way, bringing a fresh new dining option to the mix, and a Barnes & Noble is also in the works – something the community has been eagerly anticipating. This kind of momentum is what makes the city of Surprise such a special place right now. As the city grows, so do the opportunities to gather, shop, dine and enjoy everything happening right here in our own backyard. Exciting investments are strengthening the community in the Original Town Site. On September 3, the City will officially open the new Surprise Community and Resource Center, creating a welcoming hub for residents of all ages to access programs, services and opportunities. The campus will continue to grow with the addition of a new park and basket- ball court, providing even more spaces for neighbors to gather and play. Nearby, Gaines Park is receiving improvements to lighting, fencing, ground surfaces and amenities, which will be completed by the end of July. These projects reflect our ongoing commitment to creating a vibrant, connected community for generations to come. Our new budget is complete, and res- idents can see responsible leadership throughout. Council worked to keep the City’s property tax rate flat, which I know is a priority for families trying to manage household costs; yet we found a way to still invest in public safety. We created budgetary space to hire 11 new police officers, helping to strengthen neighborhood patrols, improve response times and support the city’s growth. I remain committed to protecting tax- payers while ensuring Surprise remains a safe and thriving community for our residents, businesses and visitors. Read about the approved Fiscal Year 2027 budget on page 16. District 6 is seeing strong economic momentum with new employers and exciting retail additions! The manufacturer behind the popular Greenmade storage products is moving to our district, bringing the potential for 130 new jobs. Then, in line with our growth as the best place to live and play, a new large RV storage site is expanding our commercial footprint. Plus, you can’t miss the great new retail opening in our district, including a new barbershop, a pet-health option and a new cigar bar. District 6 continues to be a major hub of investment, job creation and business growth! D 1 D 2 D 3 D 4 D 5 D 6 surpriseaz.gov/District1surpriseaz.gov/District2surpriseaz.gov/District3 surpriseaz.gov/District4surpriseaz.gov/District5surpriseaz.gov/District6 Jack Hastings Johnny V. Melton Chris Judd Earle Greenberg Nick Haney Patrick Duffy Vice Mayor Enter your address at surpriseaz.gov/MySurpriseAddress to find out what district you live in. SUMMER 2026 | surpriseaz.gov 3Community & Resource Center Opens this Summer THE CITY OF SURPRISE IS PROVIDING FOR MANY OF OUR COMMUNITY’S NEEDS ALL UNDER ONE ROOF! The doors of the new Surprise Community and Resource Center are set to officially open on September 3, 2026. The new 35,000-square-foot center will bring together all the programming, resources and partnerships from the Surprise Resource Center, Hollyhock Library and Surprise Senior Center. During the summer, staff and programming have been slowly migrating to the new building, allowing residents and patrons an early peek at the facility at Hollyhock Street and Santa Fe Drive. The new center will serve the entire northwest Valley by bringing together programs and services offered through dozens of partnerships with government agencies and non-profits. Visitors will have access to: »Health and wellness programs »Head Start classrooms » Early childhood programs »Workforce development » Housing and homeless assistance » Benefit assistance »Veteran services » Senior services » After-school youth programs »Summer youth programs » Library services »Facility rentals The new center was made possible primarily through funding partnerships with Maricopa County, Senator Mark Kelly’s office through the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration and Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation. Details about the project are available at surpriseaz.gov/SCRC. 4 surpriseaz.gov | SUMMER 2026 Construction Underway on First Police Substation On May 12, the Surprise Police Department held a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the start of construction for the department’s first substation. The new building will be located in northwest Surprise at San Ysidro Road and 163rd Avenue. This rapidly-growing area was strategically selected to maintain target response times across the city and to continue to deliver a high level of service to the community. The substation is nearly 32,000 square feet and is designed to accommodate about 60 officers and support personnel. Once completed, the new building will support patrol and investigations with dedicated spaces for report writing, briefings, evidence processing and officer wellness. The substation will also build upon the department’s community policing efforts by creating direct interaction between officers and the surrounding neighborhoods. Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2027. T he City is developing a new comprehensive Public Safety Master Plan to guide its Police, Fire- Medical and Emergency Management services over the next decade. The current plan, adopted in 2017, established a 10-year framework that has helped shape public safety priorities to date. This updated Public Safety Master Plan will build on that foundation while setting a pathway to meet our community’s growing and evolving needs. This plan creates actionable future-focused planning that will help the Police and Fire-Medical departments reach their identified key priorities, service growth needs and future programming, while ensuring consistency with the voter-approved Surprise 2040 General Plan and the City Council’s Strategic Plan. The new Public Safety Master Plan is expected to be presented to the City Council for consideration in fall 2026. MASTER PLAN UPDATE SUMMER 2026 | surpriseaz.gov 5 Beats per minute (BPM) is a measurement of tempo in music and helps determine whether a song is useful for CPR. Staying within the 100-120 BPM range is critical for delivering oxygenated blood to the brain and vital organs during cardiac arrest. Choosing a song in this range helps prevent rescuers from performing compressions too fast or too slow. The most famous example is the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive,” but there are many more you can use – from Justin Beiber’s “Love Yourself” to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” To find more CPR songs, visit cpr.heart.org and type “Be the Beat” in the search bar. Water Safety Summer in Surprise brings long, sun-filled days, which means many of us seek out opportunities to cool off in the water – whether it’s at a City pool or splash pad or a backyard pool. While water play can bring a lot of fun, it also brings a need for awareness so everyone can stay safe. THE BASIC RULES: • No running on wet surfaces, no diving into shallow areas and no rough play in and around water. • Have a physical barrier around water areas with self-closing and self-latching gates. • Keep climbable objects away from fences and remove toys from the pool area during non-swim times. • Dedicate an adult to supervision. Whenever children are in or near water, assign an adult whose sole task is to watch them. THE NEXT STEP: Take swim lessons and CPR classes. Swim lessons build confidence and reduce risks for all ages. Children as young as six months old can take classes. Learn about City swim lessons at surpriseaz.gov/SwimLessons. In addition to swimming skills, knowing how to respond to an emergency is also important. The Surprise Fire-Medical Department offers free hands-only CPR and AED training several times a year. Learn more at surpriseaz.gov/FireFirstFridays. SUMMER SURVIVAL GUIDE Hot Cars Can Kill Every year, lives are lost due to a child or a pet being left unattended inside a hot car. No matter the temperature outside, it is never safe to leave them behind; not even for a minute! Learn a CPR Song SWIM SAFE & STAY COOLHeat Safety The Arizona heat is a serious factor throughout the summer. High temperatures can escalate quickly and turn dangerous for those who are not prepared. Whether heading out for errands, recreation or work, plan ahead to avoid overheating. Use sunscreen, find shade wherever possible and make sure you have access to air conditioning. Wear lightweight, breathable clothing to help regulate body temperature. Plan outdoor activities in the early morning or evenings, outside the peak heat of the day. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. By the time you start to feel thirsty, your body is already dehydrated. Surprise partners with the regional Heat Relief Network to provide free cooling stations for those who need to escape the heat. These locations offer a safe place to cool down, hydrate and escape extreme temperatures. COOLING STATION LOCATIONS: Hollyhock Library 15844 N. Hollyhock St. Surprise Regional Library 16089 N. Bullard Ave. Asante Library 16755 W. Vereda Solana Dr. The Salvation Army (North West Valley Corps) 17420 N. Avenue of the Arts Blvd. More heat relief locations and services can be accessed by calling 2-1-1 or at surpriseaz.gov/HeatRelief. THE BASIC RULES: THE NEXT STEP: Learn to identify heat illness. Heat exhaustion often begins with heavy sweating, fatigue, dizziness, nausea or headaches. In these cases, moving to a cooler environment and applying cool, damp cloths can help bring relief. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or do not improve within an hour. Heat stroke is far more severe and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms to look for include confusion, slurred speech and hot or dry skin. The person may stop sweating, have a rapid pulse or faint. In these situations, call 911, and if possible, move them to a cooler area. Cooling Stations Available SUMMER 2026 | surpriseaz.gov 78 surpriseaz.gov | SUMMER 2026 Sons of Serendip September 26 | 7 p.m. America’s Got Talent finalists Sons of Serendip deliver breathtaking, genre-blending performances that reimagine pop favorites through soaring vocals, harp, piano and cello. Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic October 17 | 4 p.m. Broadway magician Jason Bishop brings grand illusions, sleight of hand, comedy and audience moments together in a fun show for all ages. Ambrosia October 24 | 7 p.m. Enjoy classic hits from Ambrosia, the Grammy- nominated band known for smooth rock favorites like “Biggest Part of Me.” The City is launching the inaugural 2026 - 2027 Surprise Arts season at The Vista Center for the Arts. Featuring nationally recognized performers and a vibrant mix of music, comedy, dance and theater, the season offers residents and visitors exceptional entertainment close to home. October September Get tickets & learn more at surprisearts.com S U R P R I S E A R T S P R E S EN T S Greg Fitzsimmons: Comedy November 6 | 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. Emmy-winning writer and comedian Greg Fitzsimmons brings sharp, candid stand-up to a fun comedy night in Surprise. Cirque Kalabanté November 7 | 4 p.m. Straight from the stages of the world’s top festivals, Cirque Kalabanté dazzles with breathtaking acrobatics, vibrant African rhythms and stunning athleticism in a celebration of culture, strength and human possibility. Alfreda Sings: Divas of Soul With the West Valley Symphony January 16 | 7 p.m. Alfreda Gerald joins the West Valley Symphony for a powerful tribute to honor legendary divas of soul in a concert celebrating music, unity and community. The Little Mermen and the Princess Pals February 13 | 2 p.m. Andy Woodhull: Comedy April 16 | 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. Good Co. May 1 | 7 p.m. Convergence Ballet Company April 17 | 7 p.m. Pushing the boundaries of classical dance with extraordinary physicality and bold contemporary vision, this performance weaves together tradition and innovation in a work that is as moving as it is mesmerizing. The Odd Couple produced by Arizona Frontline Theater February 13 | 7 p.m. • February 14 | 2 p.m. Good Times Bad Times: Led Zeppelin Experience February 27 | 7 p.m. November December January AprilMay February Mariachi Herencia de México A Mariachi Christmas December 19 | 7 p.m. Grammy-nominated Mariachi Herencia de México transforms the holiday season into a joyful fiesta, blending beloved Christmas classics with the rich, spirited traditions of authentic Mexican mariachi. High-energy vocal group Good Co. closes the season in style, delivering irresistible harmonies, crowd-pleasing classics and a contagious stage presence that will have the whole audience on their feet. SUMMER 2026 | surpriseaz.gov 9Next >