A two-word theme surrounded the groundbreaking of the long-awaited Goodyear Recreation Campus.

"Parks matter," said Goodyear Parks and Recreation Director Nathan Torres to the guests who attended the Tuesday morning ceremony. "They matter to families who will create lifelong memories picnicking, barbecuing and celebrating. They matter to those that are looking for an escape from the daily stresses of life, sitting under a bench under a tree, or taking a stroll down one of the many paths. Parks matter to our active adults who will find plenty of space to gather, socialize, partake in group activities such as Bunco, card games and fitness."

GO HERE to watch the entire groundbreaking ceremony.

The recreation campus will be located at West Harrison street and South Estrella Parkway. It will include a 30-acre park complete with baseball, softball and multipurpose fields; tennis, basketball, pickleball and sand volleyball courts; a playground, public art and plaza. It will also include a 48,000-square-foot recreation facility complete with multipurpose rooms, lockers and showers, fitness areas and an aquatic facility.

The center is scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2021.

"It is like no other because it was planned and designed by the community," Torres said, noting over 1,100 members of the community contributed to the rec center's planning. "It will be like no other because it will serve as the ultimate gathering place for our residents. It will be like no other because every aspect of this project provides recreational opportunities for all ages, all abilities and all interests ... Simply put, it is like no other because Goodyear is like no other."

Vice Mayor Bill Stipp and the Goodyear City Council were on hand for the groundbreaking, along with State Representative Joanne Osborne and members of each sector of Goodyear city government.

Representatives from DWL Architects, Hunter Contracting and consulting firm Kimley-Horn, all of which will assist in the construction of the rec campus, were also in attendance.

"This has been an undertaking of epic proportions," Stipp said. "It is certainly going to serve us for decades, and generations after generation will enjoy this campus. We know that this campus is going to exceed all of our expectations. We're very excited about that."