I suspect for many, i have worn out my welcome. My constant mantra has been the importance of Sun City looking to the future and growing our community to meet the needs of the coming boomers, gen xer's and millennials. In my humble opinion, it means shifting from a golf centric mind set to working to finding a clear focus on direction and what will appeal to those looking at Sun City as their choice to move to. My frustrations began while serving on the RCSC board and seeing in excess of 30 million dollars being dedicated to the golf courses and out buildings on them. While no one would argue the need to address the irrigation, water distribution and wells; the idea of shelling out twice the needed amount is questionable. If you need to know why...simply ask someone how the number of rounds played over the last several years has gone, up or down? Nationally it's slipping, and Sun City is no different. Along with my push for more community involvement in the decision making process has been the plea to at least consider a long range plan that includes developing a campus style setting where the community would gather. I've spoken often of my vision for the RCSC to buy back the Lakes Club and create a central hub where we would house the administration. But there's so much more. Picture in your mind that entire area behind the Lakeview bowling alley developed into a spectacular park setting. Throw in the 38,000 square foot building that hugs the Viewpoint lake shoreline, put the Visitor Center in there, a dozen dedicated classroom and card rooms, a coffee/ice cream shop that opens to a massive patio adjacent to the lake and a dedicated meeting space (already there) that could hold 400 to 500 people. If you really want to get creative, how about a realtors office within the building? Goodness, the potential is endless. And while my vision sounds exciting to me, it may well be a dumb idea...but then is it any dumber than sinking massive amounts of money into a game that is struggling to stay afloat? The whole point is, these kinds of decisions should at least get an airing in a public forum rather than behind the close doors of board work sessions.
Some of them are golfers Peg and Sun City will be an attraction for around 20% of the potential buyers who will be interested in the game. Of course with more of those buyers continuing to work later in life, golf will become less attractive because of time allocation, cost and even when they do play, it will certainly be less rounds per year than their counterparts who often golfed 3 to 5 times per week. Your second question is more tricky: One needs to study trends of the coming generations to get a handle on what their wants and needs will be. It would be one of the first tasks i would give to a long range planning committee; researching the piles of data available to try and understand what makes sense moving forward. I had the good fortune of hanging around the World Futurists Society after i retired and as they said, they didn't predict the future, they made forecasts of what they felt would happen, all based on trends and projecting forward.
I can listen to a good song over and over. So, Bill, keep on playing that record. Have you noticed the 10 motions now before the Board at next week's meeting? I get a kick out of this one: I MOVE THAT an Ad Hoc Long Range Planning Committee be formed for the purpose of recommending a plan for the property located at 10415 West Grand Avenue, Sun City, Arizona. The purpose of a Long Range Planning Committee is to plan 5-10-15 years out. Will that property sit idle for that amount of time? Will the whole LRP now on file be turned upside down again? Can't wait to see this play out. Make sure you note that the BOD meeting will be held at Lakeview Social Hall on the 26th.
Golf is a big question mark at many 55+ communities. I have heard of people leaving some communities because they are tired of subsidizing a game they don't play. Does any of our Rec Center dues go to golf? At my condo assn, we have 43 people. 2 golf, both snowbirds. We have had a quick turnover in ownership since 2010. As I mentioned in another thread 2/3 of our units were sold and to much younger people. We have 5 born in 1960. Will the percentage of golfers be the same as ours when other areas in Sun City have the same turnover that we have had? I realize that the golf courses have to stay golf courses and that some people moved here for golf, but it seems that a large percentage of PIF money is being spent on something that an overwhelming majority of Sun City residents will never use. Don't get me wrong, I am not one of those that doesn't want to spend money on things I don't do. I am always happy to see a new club or amenity even if I will never join or partake, but golf with nationwide downward trends is a different situation. I don't know what the solution is but it better be planned for. Note to Peg. The oldest boomers are turning 70 this year. We need to plan for the post boomers that will start moving here in 2019. They aren't much for golf but they may want a soccer field.
Okay Biil, keep banging the drum and perhaps someone will take up the cause. As I recall you made every effort, prior to getting elected to the board to suggest this type of location for the community. While on the board, you all but begged for this type of facility, but the other members needed to garner the support were not there. As I recall, the demise of the Long Range Planning committee was a well orchestrated move, leaving this board member with the vision of the LRP being reactivated quickly and soon. In hindsight, there were many times the board had already made up its mind, long before any discussion was had. I remember when I suggested using a portion of a golf course as a park. My gosh, I was almost run out town on a rail. Whatever happened to the dog park approved and funded off *of Peoria behind the ball park? Whatever *happened to at least leasing some of the space at the old Viewpoint club? *How long is golf going to drive the financial decisions made by the "board"?* The demise of the Long Range Committee was a great loss, I know, as I voted for it to go, with a different understanding of how the LRP would be utilized and help shape the future of Sun City. Do I feel "hoodwinked" by what I heard and how the choices were arrived at? You betcha. I feel too many items were left on the table, half done, while other things that should have been wiped off the table got way too much attention. Do we have parity for cardholders? Do we yet have any kind of information sessions for the residents to participate in such as the dog park discussions? The property on Grand, sent to LRP? What for, it will be utilized within the next year, not ten years out, vacant.* Enough of my prattle. I have so many regrets about the ideas brought forward to the board to only have them scuttled by the powers that be. For the most part, while I still agree with all of your ideas Bill, who will take on the tasks of standing up and being a strong voice in favor of the people? I do not think there is anyone currently on the board willing to agree and assist and direct the others to see what is truly needed in the community.
I was born in 1963, I'm a former golfer and I would love to be on a LRP Committee. My favorite course, when I played, was at "Lunken Playfield" in Cincinnati. Yes, it's right at/on Lunken Airport, and there is a bike path that runs right through it. I road my bike there as much as I played golf there. With the major roads that run through Sun City, I see a small problem with a "campus" model, but I may not be seeing the entire vision. I've only been here a few months, and I love it. I do see that the golf centric model must change...as soon as I finish unpacking boxes, I hope to spend more time thinking about how I can contribute to moving SC forward.
Off topic, but I have figured out how to get full messages on screen.* Click on icon of house on top left the on arrow back. Voila!
Do I understand you correctly? The Lakes Club is 38,000 sq ft? Not questioning you just surprised, I have never been in there.
It isn't just the square footage fixj; the history of the building alone is worth it's weight in gold. Some day i will post a comprehensive documentary of the role it played in the selling and marketing of Sun City.
I know the golf course land is deeded for golf course use. *But does it say what kind of golf has to be played on the course? *I mean, what if a course was set up for Frisbee golf?
Wonder it there will ever be another opportunity for Sun City to buy it....if they would. Beautiful building (the outside at least) on the best location. So sad they let it go. I like to see that documentary BP but I'm sure I'd either cry or get angry. Maybe both.
Bill: I beg you to keep playing this record for it is not broken, but sweet music to anyone with a vision: "it means shifting from a golf centric mind set to working to finding a clear focus on direction and what will appeal to those looking at Sun City as their choice to move to."* Mr. Smith went to Washington and Bill went to Sun City. I truly believe it was your destiny. Never, ever, give up...no matter how many dirty glances, no matter how many welcomes are worn out, no matter how difficult the fight. The population is changing and the trickle will turn into a flood. There are some things worth fighting for and this is one. Please keep up the fight for what is broken is not the record...it is the mind set of the vocal few.
