Surprise - a City on the Move! Surprise, Arizona History of Surprise Surprise, located just 25 minutes west of downtown Phoenix, and minutes away from Peoria, was founded in 1929 and incorporated as a city in 1960. The name “Surprise” came from the fact it was the name of the founder, Homer C. Ludden’s hometown in Nebraska. Surprise started out as a small farming village and when it was incorporated in 1960 had 500 residents. Surprise Today Over the past 40 years, Surprise has grown to over 57,000 residents in 2002. The city offers a broad range of living styles, from small family subdivisions, adult communities to a number of secluded ranches. The key to the City of Surprise is the people who live here. They are the same people who have helped formulate and implement the plans for the future, the people whose strong work ethic, training and desire for a high quality of life have helped give their employers an edge in a very competitive marketplace. Presently, there is a great qualified work force in the Surprise Labor Market Area, which includes Surprise and communities within 20 minutes - the Sun Cities, El Mirage, Youngtown, Litchfield Park, Avondale, Tolleson, Peoria, Glendale and Goodyear. Surprise is home to more than 57,000 residents. Over 70 percent of the residents of Surprise are under the age of 65, making it one of the youngest communities in the greater Phoenix area. With a projected annual growth rate of over 30 percent, the Maricopa Association of Governments expects the population of Surprise to exceed 80,000 by the year of 2005. The city of Surprise offers a unique blend of urban and rural living. The proximity to Phoenix, Peoria and other Valley of the Sun communities gives residents convenient and quick access to urban centers, including Arrowhead Mall at 83rd & Bell. Recreation Golf is a year-round activity in the area, and the City of Surprise offers six beautiful public golf courses. There are also many other courses within a 30-minute drive Within a short distance of Surprise is Lake Pleasant, which offers boating, sailing, water skiing, swimming, camping and scenic boat tours. Lake Pleasant is a 24,000 acre water wonderland surrounded by beautiful high desert. The park features hiking trails, campgrounds, a 10,000 acre lake, the Pleasant Harbor Marina that features boat ramps, a convenience store, deli, harbor slips and dry storage. The marina also rents a wide variety of water craft ranging from party boats to jet skis, power boats and fishing boats. The ASU Sundome Center for the Performing Arts is located in nearby Sun City West - about 5 minutes away. The Sundome is host to well known entertainers, as well as National and International traveling shows. The Sun Bowl in Sun City is approximately 10 minutes away and provides a beautiful outdoor setting for concerts. Surprise is the home of the West Valley Art Museum which exhibits the work of national, international and local artists as well as a variety of collections. Spring Training Comes to Surprise! General Information The City intends to construct a 10,500-seat multi-purpose Recreation and Major League Spring Training Campus on land owned by the City of Surprise, Arizona. The Complex will house the Major League baseball teams Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals for the spring training season and for other related player development programs. In addition, the City intends to use the facilities for adult and youth recreation programs, community events and programs, special events and meeting facilities. The stadium/amphitheater complex and baseball practice fields will be incorporated into a master-planned municipal center including administrative offices, recreation/aquatic center, 23,000-square-foot library, and 35-40 acre passive park. Teams: TexasRangers (American League, West Division) Kansas City Royals (American League, Central Division) Location: The Complex will be located on 125 acres in the vicinity of Bullard Avenue and Greenway Road on City owned property. The primary site is on property located just west of the City-owned Surprise Center currently under private and City ownership. Plans for the stadium, library/recreation/aquatic center and Passive Park, are being developed under the design-build concept. Request for professional services (RFP) was issued, and a five-member committee reviewed responses and unanimously selected HOK, an internationally renowned architectural firm devoted to creating exceptional sports facilities. HOK, in turn, hired the design/construction services of Michigan-based Barton Malow to assist on the projects. Also, HOK has contracted with Orcutt Winslow Partnership of Phoenix for design of the senior center, library, and public works building. DLR Architects are designing 35,000-square-foot police/court building at Cactus and Litchfield Timeline for development May 24, 2002 - Aquatic Center opens - ribbon cutting. July 30, 2002 - Library completed. July 30, 2002 - MLB clubhouses and practice fields completed. October 2002 - Library opens. December 30, 2002 – Stadium to be completed. January 3, 2003 - All other remaining elements completed. February 3, 2003 – Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals begin Spring Training in Surprise! For more information on Surprise go to: www.surpriseaz.com