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Council pauses several parks projects for fiscal review, approves Gilbert Regional Park design
Summary
After lengthy public comment about water bills, council members voted to delay approvals for Freestone and Desert Sky projects until a retreat review of priorities but approved design continuation for Gilbert Regional Park (item 19). Staff warned delaying Desert Sky phase 2 would push a planned December construction start.
Gilbert Town Council voted on Oct. 28 to delay several parks and quality-of-life projects so members could reassess priorities following resident concern about utility rates and municipal finances, but the council approved a separate design-contract item for Gilbert Regional Park.
Council member Jim Torgerson asked that agenda items 8, 9, 10 (Freestone pickleball and related amenities) and 17 and 18 (Desert Sky Park phase 2 move-in and early construction services) be pushed to the council's fall retreat for additional discussion. After staff described project timelines and that construction for Desert Sky was scheduled to begin in December, the council voted to continue items 8, 9, 10, 17 and 18 to the Dec. 16, 2025 meeting (motion carried 7-0).
Ryan Blair, Gilbert capital-programs manager, told the council that the Desert Sky projects under items 17 and 18 are at about 90% design and that moving the items would delay the planned December construction start. "If this gets pushed till December, construction will have to be pushed to a later date as well," Blair said.
Council approved item 19, the next-phase design work for Gilbert Regional Park, by a 6-1 vote. Staff said item 19 was at roughly 60% design and will continue toward final design and construction procurement; staff estimated design completion in early 2026 with construction to follow."A significant area identified by community feedback was the fact that we lack amenities, specifically fields," the parks director said, summarizing community input used to prioritize projects.
What this means: Freestone pickleball and the proposed splash pad and related small-amenity projects will be held for further review at the retreat. Desert Sky will likely be delayed if council does not proceed, which will shift the construction schedule. Gilbert Regional Park design will continue as approved.
Next steps: Staff will bring the delayed items back for discussion at the Dec. 16 meeting and retreat. Staff also will report any contractual consequences if a delay extends beyond current procurement windows.
