The Voice of Marana since 2007 The Voice of Marana, Oro Valley and Northwest Tucson
Volume 30 • Number 3 January 18, 2023
www.explorernews.com www.Maranaweeklynews.com
Community center closer to fruition
INSIDE
This Week
BY LAURA LATZKO Tucson Local Media Contributor
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LIVEN UP ..................... 8 Singer Dave Mensch thrives on connecting with fans
HEALTH ..................... 17 Another key to the healthier and longer life
OPINION ................... 19 Help plan Oro Valley's future
LIVEN UP ....................................... 8 YOUTH ......................................... 13 SPORTS ........................................ 14 HEALTH........................................ 17 PUZZLE/HOROSCOPES ............. 23 WORSHIP/CLASSIFIEDS ........... 24
The Marana Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy includes classroom work. (Town of Marana/Submitted)
Citizens police academy strengthens bonds BY COLE JANUSZEWSKI Tucson Local Media Staff
T
he Marana Police Department is hosting a 13-week citizens police academy starting Feb. 1 to give residents and businesses a better understanding of its inner workings. But there’s much more to it, according to
Marana Police Officer Ashley Espinoza She said the course increases transparency and humanizes police officers by fostering relationships between them and their community. “Most of the time when people see police officers it’s not always during great circumstances,” she said. “It could be the worst day of their life. Some people might see things on the news and not really understand why police officers See ACADEMY Page 5
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round is expected to be broken on Marana’s community center and aquatics facility this summer, according to town officials. Marana Parks and Recreation Director Jim Conroy estimated the center will open in the fall 2024. Conroy said the center will help increase the community’s quality of life. “As you get into the lifestyle, physical fitness and mental health benefits, that’s what these facilities are all about,” Conroy said. The center was designed with people of all ages and interests in mind. “We really think it’s going to be the heartbeat of the community because it’s going to be able to serve so many different people,” Conroy said. Marana is working with the design firm Architekton; Abacus, a project management firm; and Chasse Building Team, which is providing preconstruction services. The facility will be built with longevity in mind—thinking not just of today’s needs but of 20 to 25 years from now. “This place is going to be here for a long time. The residents of Marana deserve a facility like this, and we want it to be the
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