With concerns due to COVID-19, southwest Valley cities are taking precautions in the form of cancellations, postponements or suspensions of events and/or services.

The city of Goodyear announced the evening of Thursday, March 12 the cancellation of several events involving large crowds scheduled for March and April, as well as all recreation programs through the end of April.

City spokeswoman Corinne Holliday said the  229 kids were signed up for basketball and 295 people were signed up for five senior programs including cards, games and two trips, and 75 special interest classes.

Canceled events include:

• Spring training at Goodyear Ballpark, scheduled through March 22
• CulturePop Block Party, held in conjunction with the city of Avondale and Estrella Mountain Community College, March 28
• Hop & Hops Easter egg hunt and celebration, April 11
• Goodyear Lakeside Music Fest headlined by the Plain White Ts, April 18
• Spring Concert Series, March 14 and 21 and April 4

“In addition, the city is finding ways to reduce exposure between employees and with large groups while maintaining the highest level of services that residents depend on,” according to a press release. “The city’s priority is to protect the community while continuing to deliver essential services. For the most up-to-date information on any impacts to city events, visit goodyearaz.gov.”

As of Friday, March 13, the Goodyear Library remained open, but the Maricopa County Library District announced that programs and events would be suspended until further notice.

Litchfield Park City Manager Bill Stephens announced in a press release late Friday that all recreational leagues and special events scheduled through April 1, including the Arts in the Park concert scheduled for Sunday, March 15, were canceled. 

"Should new recommendations or restrictions be announced by the CDC or the state of Arizona, the city will follow them to ensure appropriate health and safety measures are in place for our residents and visitors," Mr. Stephens wrote. "In the meantime, city staff is preparing emergency contingency plans should they be needed and will inform its citizens if the situation changes.

He said additional updates will be posted on the city's website, litchfield-park.org and its Facebook page, facebook.com/cityoflitchfieldpark

The Litchfield Park Historical Society’s 2^nd Annual Home Tour and Vintage Market scheduled for Saturday, March 14 will go on as planned, LPHS spokeswoman Lisa Hegarty said via email late Thursday.

“We will be taking additional measures by to protect everyone attending the event as well as homeowners and volunteers,” she wrote.

The historical society’s Speaker Series talks on the Women’s Suffrage Movement scheduled Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1, and its Hands-On History Day event scheduled Saturday, April 4 were canceled and will be rescheduled, Ms. Hegarty said.

The city of Avondale announced via its website Thursday it will suspend transportation, programs and activities at the Avondale Senior Center, 1007 S. 3^rd St., starting Monday, March 16 until further notice.

“The elderly population and those with serious underlying health conditions are most at risk from Covid-19. Our goal is to do what we can to mitigate the risk of our participants contracting the virus, Avondale Neighborhood & Family Services Department Director Chris Lopez said in the announcement. “We are hopeful that this is just a temporary situation and that we can welcome our senior participants back at the center soon.”

The city’s Home Delivered Meal Program and Weekly Mobile Food Pantry will not be affected by the closure.

Seniors who normally attend the weekday lunch program at the senior center can pick up a brown-bag lunch from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. weekdays at the center, Mr. Lopez said. Those unable to get to the site due to the transportation suspension, can call 623-333-2705 to arrange for home delivery.

The city also announced on its website that starting March 16, it will only accept passport applications at City Hall, 11465. W. Civic Center Drive, by appointment only until further notice to minimize crowds and wait times in the facility’s lobby.

Passport appointments will be available 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

The city of Buckeye announced Friday, March 13 via its website it was canceling all programs and events at the Buckeye Senior Center, 201 E Centre Ave., until further notice, but meal delivery and medical transportation will continue.

Residents who attend lunch at the center can pick them up at the site or arrange for delivery, the announcement said.

The city also postponed all Youth Sports Leagues until further notice, and canceled or postponed several March and April events.

Canceled events include:

• Festival Concert in the Park, March 13
• Stargazing for everyone, March 14

Postponed programs and events include:

• Ultra Man, March 27
• Buckeye Melodrama, March 27-28
• Verrado’s Founders Day, March 28-29
• State of the City Address, April 16

As of Friday, both libraries, the recreation center and customer service counters for utility bill payments and permitting remained open.