Work on improvements to the Centennial Circle Plaza at Cutillo Civic Center in Fountain Hills has wrapped up and just in time for a busy season of activities.
The first event scheduled is …
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Work on improvements to the Centennial Circle Plaza at Cutillo Civic Center in Fountain Hills has wrapped up and just in time for a busy season of activities.
The first event scheduled is International Observe the Moon Night on Sept. 14. That will be followed by the Octoberfest celebration on Sept. 27-28.
“The Centennial Circle is a large and underutilized space,” Community Services Director Kevin Snipes told the Town Council earlier this year. “The renovation is a capital improvement project …. designed to make the new pavilion area …. a programmable space that can be utilized by multiple departments with promoters to host many outdoor events as well as become a revenue generator.”
The improvements are highlighted by an 80-foot shade structure over the center of the circle. This was included to provide those wanting to schedule events at the Community Center to consider an outdoor option with shade.
The structure is partially funded through donations with the sale of personalized puzzle pieces displayed on a board in the shape of the State of Arizona. There are 99 pieces being sold for $1,000 each. There are still puzzle pieces available that allow messages of up to 30 characters. Visit fountainhillsaz.gov/AZPuzzle for more information. The puzzle map will remain a permanent part of the Centennial Circle once it is filled out.
To mark the 100th anniversary of Arizona statehood the Centennial Circle was originally constructed in 2012 and included a tribute to the 5-Cs of economic vitality for the state from territorial times – Cattle, Citrus, Climate, Copper and Cotton.
The original 5-C plaques were mounted on pedestals around the plaza circle. Weather and the intense Arizona sun took a toll on those plaques prompting their removal during the renovation. The plaques have been replaced with five new benches.
These benches are built within an arch shaped aluminum structure that provides shade for those using the bench and protection for original hand painted artwork inside the arch depicting a scene related to each of the 5-Cs.
These benches were built using aluminum recycled from wind turbine blades by Canvus. Additionally standard benches were also purchased new for the renovation. They are also built with the recycled aluminum along with engineered composite slats for seats and backs.
Some of the previous benches that were removed for the renovation were donated to the town as memorials. Snipes said the plaques associated with those benches have been installed on the east side of the Centennial Circle and are surrounded by pavers. Most of the older benches were considered unsafe and were destroyed. A few that were in better condition have been relocated to other parks in town.
The Times Independent invites readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Bob Burns can be reached at bburns@iniusa.org.
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