Cool Place to Beat the Heat in North Phoenix: Beuf Community Center

On a hot Saturday afternoon in late June, it was perfectly cool inside the Goelet A. C. Beuf Community Center in North Phoenix. One lone man shot hoops in the full-size gymnasium with six regulation-size baskets. Two women walked the balcony track that circles the gym, while two others worked out in the small, but well-equipped weight room.

The vibe isn’t always that chill at the facility though. Programming, in the form of fitness, sports and dance to piano and school readiness programs, occurs seasonally with several weeks of breaks in between sessions. “Some specific youth and senior programs are extremely popular, however the overall programming and amenities of the facility are very underutilized,” said James Ritter, city spokesperson.

The 43,000-square-foot facility also contains an aerobics room with treadmills and exercise bikes, a computer lab, a lounge with restrooms and showers, game room, and a dance and exercise room.

And, you don’t have to be a City of Phoenix resident to use the facility’s amenities or participate in the programs. Day passes are offered for access to the gymnasium and track, lounge, game room and computer lab, as well as annual membership options for residents and non-residents. Access to the cardio and weight room carries an additional daily, biannual, or annual fee.

The center sits on the 40-acre Paseo Highlands Park complex. There’s a kids playground, sand volleyball court, multiple ball fields and eight new lighted pickleball courts.

The name? Some pronounce it byo͞of, some just say buff. The facility opened in 2003 and was named in memory of Phoenix Police Officer Alessandro Carlo Beuf, who died in the line of duty in the area.

Try it for a Day

$2/Individual recreation daily pass for ages 18 and up (residents and non-residents)
$1/Youth ages 3–17; Free/Ages 2 and under
$3 additional fee for cardio and weight room access

A.C. Goelet Beuf Center
3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix
602-534-4754
Web Site

Beuf Community Center Classes

Purchase of an annual Phoenix Parks and Recreation pass is required to register for classes, programs and activities. The pass grants access to the lobby, gymnasium, walking track, computer lab and game rooms during open recreation times.

Resident Recreation Pass $20 annually/City of Phoenix residents ages 18 and up; $5/youth residents ages 3–17

Non-resident Recreation Pass $40 annually/individuals ages 18 and up; $10/youth non-residents ages 3–17

Individual class fees vary but cost is the same for residents and non-residents. Registration is ongoing with no specific deadlines, on a first-come, first-served basis.

ADULT FITNESS

Aerobics: Fit and Firm
$50
Total toning body course for adults 18 and up. Mondays and Wednesdays, 6–7 p.m., July 23–27 or Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30–10:30 a.m., July 24–Aug. 28.

Aerobics: Tone It Up
$30
Exercise techniques on conditioning and toning for adults 18 and up. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30–5:30 p.m., Aug. 16–Sept. 6.

Kundalini Yoga
$50
Yoga designed to develop consciousness. Ages 18 and up. Tuesdays, 11 a.m.–noon, July 24–Aug. 28.

Pilates
$30
Total-body workout emphasizing alignment, breath and core control. Ages 18 and up. Level 1 class on Thursdays, 6–7 p.m., Aug. 2–Sept. 6 and level 2 class on Mondays, 5:30–6:30 p.m., July 30–Aug. 27.

Tai Chi
$20
Martial arts including low-impact slow movements. Ages 21 and up. Wednesdays, 11 a.m.–noon, July 25–Aug. 29.

Yoga: Gentle
$20/Saturday class; $25/Monday class
Noncompetitive and meditational yoga for ages 18 and up. Mondays, 6–7 p.m., July 23–Aug. 27, or Saturdays 10:15–11:15 a.m., Aug. 18–Sept. 8.

Yoga: Hatha
$30
Challenging yoga incorporating straps, block and medicine balls. Ages 18 and up. Wednesdays, 6:30–7:30, July 25–Aug. 29.

Yogalates
$25/Wednesday class; $30/Monday class
A combination of yoga and pilates for ages 18 and up. Mondays, 7–8 p.m., July 23–Aug. 27 or Wednesdays, 5:30–6:30, July 25–Sept. 5.

Zumba
$20
Latin-infused dance cardio workout for ages 18 and up. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:40–6:10 p.m., Aug. 16–Sept. 6.

DANCE

Ballet and Tap Technique
$27
Ages 8–12. Saturdays 2:15–3 p.m., Aug. 4–25.

Ballet: All Levels
$30
Improve strength, grace, flexibility and coordination. All experience levels welcome. Ages 15 and up. Mondays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., July 30–Aug. 27.

Ballet: Wee
$30
Simple dance positions, stances and terminology for ages 2–3. Mondays, 9:35–10:05 a.m., July 23–Aug. 27.

Ballet: Level 1
$22/Saturdays; $30/Weekdays
Introductory lessons on barre exercises, turns, leaps and short dances. Ages 3–5. Saturdays, Aug. 4–25, 10:10–10:50 a.m. or 11:40 a.m.–12:20 p.m. Mondays or Wednesdays, 10:45–11:30 a.m., July 25–Aug. 29.

Ballet: Level 2
$22
Ages 4–6. Saturdays, 10:55–11:35 a.m., Aug. 4–25.

Ballet: Level 3
$22
Ages 5–10. Saturdays, 12:25–1:05 p.m., Aug. 4–25.

Ballet: Level 4
$22
Ages 6–12. Tuesdays, 7–7:40 p.m., July 31–Aug. 21.  

Advanced and Senior Performance Ballet/Tap
$27
Ages 8–14 with advanced dancing skills. Saturdays, 1:10–2:10 p.m., Aug. 4–25.

Performance Ballet Studio
$10
Additional studio time for advanced ballet/tap dancers ages 10–16. Tuesdays, 7:45–8:25 p.m., July 31–Aug. 21.

Intro to Jazz/Tap
$30
An introduction to fundamental jazz/tap techniques for ages 3–5. Wednesdays, 11:45 a.m.–12:25 p.m., July 25–12:25 p.m.

Beginning Jazz/Hip-Hop
$22
Principle steps and movements for ages 9–13. Wednesdays 6:15–6:55 p.m., Aug. 1–22.

Jr Performance Troupe
$27
Basic and advanced tap and ballet lessons. Ages 9–13. Saturdays, 3:05–3:55 p.m., Aug. 4–25.

YOUTH FITNESS

Karate
$50
Okinawa Goju Ryu style martial arts including locks, throws, kicks, punches and takedowns. Wednesdays, July 25–Aug. 29. Ages 5–8 meet 4:30–5:15 p.m. and ages 9 and up meet 5:20–6:05 p.m.

Tumbling
$30
Beginning movements on mats for ages 3–5. Fridays, July 27–Aug. 31, 11:10–11:55 a.m. or 3–3:45 p.m.

Tumbling Wee
$30
Beginning movements on mats for ages 2–3 with a parent. Mondays, July 23–Aug. 27, 11–11:30 a.m.

Wee Movement
$30
Storytelling through song and movement to develop motor skills. Ages 18 months–3 years. Mondays, 10:15–10:45 a.m., July 23–Aug. 27.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Preschool Art and Engineering Club
$20
Fun, mess and thinking to develop motor skills. Ages 3–5. Tuesdays, 11:40 a.m.–12:20 p.m., Aug. 7–28, or Fridays 11–11:40 a.m., Aug. 10–31.

Preschool Math and Shapes
$20/Friday class; $32/Tuesdays and Thursdays class
Activities, worksheets and interactive games in basic math skills. Ages 3–5. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:50–11:30 a.m., Aug. 7–30, or Fridays, 10:10–10:50 a.m., Aug. 10–31.

Preschool Reading and Writing Club
$20/Friday class; $32/Tuesdays and Thursdays class
Activities, books, music and games to develop an interest in reading and writing. Ages 3–5. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10–10:40 a.m., Aug. 7–30, or Fridays 9:20–10 a.m., Aug. 10–31.

Preschool Spanish Club
$20
Basic Spanish vocabulary for ages 3–5. Thursdays, 11:40 a.m.–12:25 p.m., Aug. 9–30.

Spanish Club
$20
Basic Spanish vocabulary for ages 6–12. Wednesdays, 4:50 p.m.–5:30 p.m., Aug. 8–29.

Babysitting Certification
$40
American Safety and Health Curriculum teaches CPR, first aid, home safety and finances for ages 10–18 to become a qualified babysitter. July 14 or Aug. 11, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Caitlin Coulter contributed to this report.