Maricopa County Celebrates Grand Opening of Center Bringing Vital Resources to Surprise Residents

This morning Maricopa County, along with the City of Surprise, celebrated the grand opening of the new Surprise Community & Resource Center, a 35,000-square-foot facility designed to bring critical services and resources together in one place for residents of all ages.

This morning Maricopa County, along with the City of Surprise, celebrated the grand opening of the new Surprise Community & Resource Center, a 35,000-square-foot facility designed to bring critical services and resources together in one place for residents of all ages. "It's been exciting to see Surprise develop into one of the fastest-growing communities in Maricopa County," said Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Debbie Lesko, who represents Surprise and the rest of District 4. "With this growth comes the responsibility to ensure public services are expanding at an equal pace. The Board's investment in this new resource center is about giving families, seniors, veterans, and other residents of this vibrant community the support they need to thrive." In 2022, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved $18 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the construction of the center, reflecting a collaborative effort between the County and City of Surprise to expand resources and improve quality of life for residents. The project was made possible through an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the two municipalities, which allocated a combined $27 million toward the facility. "The vision of creating a Surprise Community & Resource Center like this could only become a reality through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to serving our community," said Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor. "By bringing together businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers who share our passion for people, we are ensuring that everyone who walks through the doors of this new center will find the high-quality services, resources, and support they need. When we can all come together like this, it provides a stronger community for everyone." The new center centralizes and expands programs previously offered in several aging City facilities, including the Surprise Resource Center, Hollyhock Library, and Surprise Senior Center. The center offers an extensive range of programs and services designed to support residents throughout every stage of life, including library services, workforce development, health and wellness programs, housing and homelessness assistance, benefit assistance, veteran and senior services, after-school and summer youth programs, and three Head Start classrooms. The three Head Start classrooms are significant for the Northwest Valley, as they represent the first Head Start classrooms in the City of Surprise and create new early-learning opportunities for local children and families. The Surprise Community & Resource Center, the latest project built with federal ARPA funds, reflects a continued commitment to bringing resources and opportunities directly into local communities. For details on ARPA spending in Maricopa County, visit Maricopa.gov/RescueFunds.