The City of Mesa announced today that out of an abundance of caution and to support other preventive measures underway statewide and nationally, the City will be temporarily closing several public facilities including the Mesa Arts Center, Parks & Recreation facilities such as recreation centers and aquatic centers, Mesa Convention Center and Mesa Amphitheatre, as well as museums and libraries. Departments that do not provide critical or essential services such as trash pick-up, water or energy resources and public safety services have been asked to operate with limited staffing or telecommute when possible.
"We are canceling upcoming large events and mass gatherings, managed by the City of Mesa, through the end of April." City Manager Chris Brady said. "This coincides with the Centers for Disease Control's recommendations and Governor Ducey's latest announcement."
The City of Mesa continues to work closely with Arizona Department of Health Services, Maricopa County Department of Public Health, public safety agencies, and the Centers for Disease Control in disseminating information on the coronavirus, how it spreads and how to protect yourself and family from the virus. Additionally, all City departments are following established protocol and using appropriate precautionary measures in providing services to our residents and businesses.
"Our first and foremost responsibility is to ensure that our residents and City employees are safe and able to implement recommended preventative measures including social distancing." Mayor John Giles said. "It is our hope that these proactive steps by the City will help to minimize community exposure and be part of a global response to contain and reduce the impacts of COVID-19."
Specific details regarding facility closures, program postponements or service modifications are listed below.
MESA LIBRARIES
Closing all Mesa Public Library facilities. All library events and room reservations are suspended.
All of the library's online collections remain available through mesalibrary.org.
PARKS & RECREATION
Suspending all recreation programming. In addition, we will be closing recreation facilities for programming including Red Mountain Center, Eagles Community Center, Jefferson Recreation Center, Webster Recreation Center, Mesa Tennis Center, Kino Aquatic Center and Skyline Aquatic Center. Private rentals of City parks and facilities will be managed on a case by case basis with event organizers.
All City parks remain open and while parks are cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, we encourage users to remember, the best way to reduce the risk of getting sick and to avoid COVID-19 is to follow CDC recommended precautionary measures.
MESA CONVENTION CENTER & MESA AMPHITHEATRE
Multiple events cancelled or postponed through end of April. Staff is working with event organizers to work out details related to the cancellation or postponement of respective events including attendee notification and refunds. For more information about event cancellations or postponements go to https://www.mesaaz.gov/things-to-do/mesa-convention-center or mesaamp.com
MESA ARTS CENTER
Closing the theaters at Mesa Arts Center through April 30. All theater programming scheduled to take place during that time frame has been canceled or postponed.
Cancelling Art Studios 2nd session classes and workshops through April 30.
Suspending all programs and regular gallery hours at the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum.
Public events presented by Mesa Arts Center that were scheduled through April 30 have also been canceled or postponed.
Ticket holders and class registrants should check the Mesa Arts Center website for information and await direct communication regarding postponements or cancelations and next steps
i.d.e.a. MUSEUM
Suspending all programs and regular gallery hours.
ARIZONA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Suspending all programs and regular gallery hours.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
Closing the Household Hazardous Materials (HHM) Facility. The HHM facility will be closed until further notice.
Neighborhood Cleanup Program events currently scheduled through the end of April have been canceled.
No new service requests for bulk trash and appliance pickup will be accepted at this time. Please check back on April 1st for updated information. Existing reservations for residential bulk trash and appliance pickup, as well as already scheduled on-going commercial bulk pickups, are not impacted at this time.
Office of Public Information & Communications
Contact: Steve Wright, Director
Tel. 480.644.2069
steven.wright@mesaaz.gov