Two Years After Devastating Floods, Community Celebrates Grand Opening of Gila Bend Unified Softball Field

Gila Bend, AZ – Two years after floods devastated the rural community of Gila Bend, leaders from Maricopa County and Gila Bend joined Gila Bend students and community members to celebrate a significant milestone in the town’s rebuilding process: the grand opening of the Gila Bend Unified Softball Field.

“Maricopa County was eager to offer the Gila Bend Unified School District and the Town of Gila Bend the resources to renovate the softball field,” said Supervisor Steve Gallardo, District 5. “This field will be a place where the kids of Gila Bend can play sports with their friends and make the town proud.”

Video: Grand Opening of Gila Bend Unified Softball Field

Over 100 community members spent their Saturday morning celebrating this significant milestone in Gila Bend.

Several special guests spoke at the grand opening, including Supervisor Gallardo, County Manager Jen Pokorski, Gila Bend Mayor Tommy Sikes, Gila Bend Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Varner, and students from Gila Bend High School’s Varsity Girls Softball Team, the Gila Monsters.

The project was funded using $1,325,000 of Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Community Solutions Funding allotted by Supervisor Gallardo. Renovations included repairing existing chain link fencing and the irrigation system, adding new dugouts and bleachers, and installing lights and a scoreboard. Construction crews also worked to remove leftover debris.

“This grand opening is a symbol of Gila Bend’s resilience,” said Dr. Varner. “With help from Maricopa County, we’ve been able to take big steps forward to rebuild after the 2021 flooding that hit our community hard. I’m excited to see the Gila Monsters break in this new and improved field.”