Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona’s Event & Retreat Centers Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening

The Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona (LFSAZ) marked a significant milestone last week with the grand opening of its newly completed Event and Retreat Centers, located on the Legacy Plaza campus in Sierra Vista. The occasion brought together community leaders, nonprofit partners, and residents to celebrate a project more than two decades in the making.

The ceremony began with a traditional ribbon cutting hosted by Sky Islands Regional Partnership. Director Melany Edwards Barton welcomed attendees before introducing LFSAZ Chief Executive Officer Margaret Hepburn, who led the formal program. Guests, many of whom have long supported the foundation’s mission, gathered in a festive atmosphere, reconnecting and reflecting on the importance of the new facility to the region. Following the outdoor ceremony, attendees moved inside the Event Center, where the building’s design quickly became a focal point of conversation.

The space struck a balance between grandeur and intimacy, offering a welcoming environment tailored for community gatherings, conferences, and nonprofit collaboration. Hepburn opened the indoor program from the stage and introduced Fry Fire District Chief and LFSAZ Board Chair Mark Savage, who delivered opening remarks. Principal architect Julie Highton-Snedecker of Highton Company, LLC, and contractor Jonathan Isaacson, president of Cochise Tech and Development, also addressed the audience. Both expressed not only pride in the finished project but also appreciation for the strong partnership formed with LFSAZ throughout the process. For many speakers, the moment represented the realization of a long-held vision. Board Director Emeritus Lanny Kope, EdD, reflected on the decades of planning behind the project, noting that it had been “a long time coming” and the result of more than 20 years of work, dreams, and dedication.

Now complete, he emphasized, the facility is ready to serve the community. Board Director Emeritus Susan Warne, JD, echoed that sentiment, expressing admiration for what LFSAZ has created. She highlighted the building as a valuable resource where nonprofits and community groups can gather, learn, and host conferences in a space designed to support their efforts. Johanna Michelich, PhD, also a Board Director Emeritus, described the opening as the culmination of years of evolving ideas. What began as a loosely defined concept has grown into both an Event Center and a Retreat Center, exceeding early expectations. She called the outcome “a dream come true” and emphasized its future role in supporting the health and well-being of Sierra Vista residents.

Hepburn reflected on the journey, describing the past two years as demanding yet deeply rewarding. She expressed delight in seeing the project completed and noted the overwhelmingly positive response from attendees, calling the experience “terrific” and a testament to the community’s shared vision.