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Commissioners prioritize activating Steam Pump Ranch, events and regional collaboration in Oro Valley leisure travel plan
Summary
During a review of a 20-item leisure travel plan, Oro Valley commissioners ranked activating Steam Pump Ranch, developing a regional events strategy and enhancing regional cooperation (e.g., Marana) among top priorities and discussed website/staffing needs to implement the plan.
Town staff presented 20 recommendations from a leisure travel plan and asked commissioners to rank priorities and discuss implementation. Paul Melcher said the plan items were color‑coded: foundational needs (website, branding, marketing) marked as non‑negotiable; some foundational items were marked as priority‑flexible; and longer‑term ideas (performing arts center, indoor recreation center) were identified as a la carte.
Commissioners gave their top three priorities. Commissioner Van Buren said his top picks were activating Steam Pump Ranch with phased programming, developing sports tourism and positioning Oro Valley as a wellness/active‑lifestyle destination while keeping safety front and center. Commissioners discussed staffing and the website: Crystal, a town tourism staffer, said the town currently ‘doesn't have a website’ and that a CRM and extranet for partners will supply dynamic event content; Melcher said a position for website management was included in the post‑Visit Tucson budget.
Discussion also covered growing existing events (Tucson Bicycle Classic, Rockin' for Heroes, Oro Valley Tries), exploring better relations with El Conquistador (commissioners noted unused meeting space that could host more events) and pursuing formal collaboration with nearby Marana to market assets north of Ina Road collectively.
Melcher summarized next steps: staff will present the complete CSL leisure travel plan at the commission’s December meeting and intends to take a draft plan to town council in late January for a work session and additional feedback. He recommended preserving the current base tourism funding (around $580,000) through implementation and noted that larger projects could require additional funding requests to council.
The commission did not vote on formal adoption at this meeting but agreed to return to the plan for scheduling and prioritization in upcoming meetings.
