What would it take?

Just had coffee at $tarbucks with an old friend, (goodness I wish we had our own gathering/community center type setting) where we had a great discussion about the future of Sun City. It followed on the heals of a lengthy coffee/gab session last Friday with a potential board candidate where we chatted about the community and how much potential there is for Sun City.

Admittedly I'm a glass half full (maybe overflowing) kind of guy, but I think there is almost unlimited opportunities for Sun City to explode and become the premier retirement destination in the country. Let me be clear; we'll never be newer or nicer than most, but from an average kind of person's perspective, we could become the go to kind of retirement destination of choice.

Lots of reasons for it and many of them have been stated already. What I'm looking for though is your take on what the community need do for us to move to the next level. I know, we're wildly successful already, but are we where we want to be as we prepare for millions of boomers looking for the "perfect place" to make their next home?

You tell me...what is it we need do to make Sun City even better?

 

I do think some of the shopping centers could use a little paint and refreshing, especially below Bell. How about helping those who can't afford to paint their older models? I tried to reach the person in charge of the volunteer group that helps with weeding and never heard back from them. So maybe having people who will respond to emails take charge in some departments?

To maintain the outside appearances of our homes is critical in maintaining our home values and to remain an attractive option.

To promote Sun City original, we discussed doing a documentary with a Canadian couple a few months ago and how much fun that could be. It is one of the more affordable retirement options out there and with the economic crash, we have met many retirees that will need to punt now. This offers so much for those who have a bit less and those who have plenty but recognize the value for their dollar. The quirky 60's retro style has a growing following of people who love Atomic Ranch (there is a magazine called Atomic Ranch) style homes and they are getting harder to find. I think if we promoted the architectural uniqueness of this place it could help and maybe some will keep them somewhat mid century modern.

In Vistancia/Trilogy they have what they call "Coffee Talk" and community members come for coffee and donuts to just chat. I think your idea of a gathering place is a good one and if you feed them donuts...they will come.

 

Well, you already touched on one thing we lack: a community center, a hub. But there are so many other possibilities and that's why I nudged you in the other thread about maybe holding a brainstorming session similar to that re-visioning the Foundation one. I think more strategizing about how to get people more involved is needed. I heard you were going around to chartered clubs to get input and share info, so more of that is needed in some way for the residents. The Villages in FL uses a village concept within their "City" to create more community feel. Strategies like that are ones we could examine to bring back the neighborhood feel that most of us left behind in one way or another and would like to reinvent in some way here. As people feel more vested, more exciting things will evolve, but conditions need to help stimulate that (ex: yes, creating an incubator for interaction like a community center is part of that).

 

Spot on gang. Interesting Fiona on the Canadian's; there's now a bill in Congress to allow them to be in the country for 8 months rather than six, Certainly more possibilities, but many of them will still have issues with their national health care and being out of their country for that length of time. BTW, we are working on the marketing website over the summer and should be ready for launch come this winter season.

To scj's point, you and I are and have been on the same page for years. How do we know, think or feel what residents want if we don't ask? As board members we have our circle of friends, but is it truly representative of the entire community? Are we reaching the masses? Have we found the best ways to touch people, involve and engage them at levels they are comfortable with?

I've long argued we need a community forum like this one. I love the concept of town hall meetings on topics of interest; subjects with real meat on the bone. That isn't always well received by those in positions of authority. I'm never quite sure why other than there is inherently a fear of loss of control. The funny thing is my experience has taught me that kind of openness brings people together, not drive them apart.

It was good to see the SCHOA survey link posted in TOSC. I heard the first weekend it was up, some 600 plus people responded. I will try and find out their new numbers this week yet. Simple really, just ask them. It's long been the benchmark for organizations who feel the need to grow and become something more.

I won't dwell on this because I get crazed when I talk about it; the one thing Sun City is lacking is a central gathering place...a community center of sorts. We have great rec centers and golf courses, but there is no one place for us to gravitate to. We had a chance for it, but that's another story for another time. For now we need focus on what is doable and what isn't.

As we talked about in another thread, boomers will come looking for a different set of criteria than their parents did. Evolving is critical for us and doing so without losing the value, values or quaintness of the community will take planning and commitment. All reasons for us to engage people on a whole new level and with a whole new sense of openness.

 

I think one of the drawbacks for a "village" feel to Sun City is that most of the strip malls/commercial properties are not owned by Sun City. Hard to persuade the owners to upgrade them. There is that vacant lot across from the Lakeview center and just this morning I asked my husband what would fit on that small plot of land and we thought a small café/coffee shop would be nice if we could acquire that land somehow. It is held by Sun City Thunderbird Holdings LLC.
Do any of the recreation centers have space that could be used in a Coffee Talk type gathering? Would that even work? I would love a little village with little shops like Sun City West has. Their stores do very well for the clubs and a little café would be nice in that kind of setting.
I think the Trilogy/Vistancia recreation building is stunning and well designed in the sense that they did include a café along with lots of lounge seating around the space. May be worth checking out some of the other developments to pull some ideas for our future?
I do not want to make anyone mad with this thought...just a thought to toss out there...would we ever consider buying up some of the very old homes south of Grand to tear down and make a village? Just a thought. Could increase the value of the homes down in that area as well as create an interesting little gathering spot.

 

Would or could we ever consider buying a small commercial strip center like the one on Talisman and Del Webb, the one with Jan's consignment? Probably too much $$$ to redevelop a commercial center...but I can sure see it in me head lol.

 

Emily....you can't post here until you are 55. Kidding of course. We have club members who are still in their late 40's who married an older man who qualifies. Not sure why some are so terrified of younger people being here. 50 would be fine with me but 55 is also ok. We are a tad over 60 now and blend in just fine thankyouverymuch.
Two years will fly by and you will be here legally lol.

I do agree with you regarding more internet marketing and upgrading the website.

I met some very bossy people here and they had no qualms about coming into our house while we were under construction and telling us how it is. One even told me "we like things neat around here" and I told her good, I do as well...and please forgive the porta potty that I will be placing between our houses (for 5 long months) hahahahah. She was a bit ruffled over that but is now a dear friend and neighbor.

 

Is Talisman Hall available?

 

Great question Peg and one we tried, once upon a time. When the 50th anniversary was over, the committee made an offer to the RCSC to pay to have Talisman Hall converted to a community room/coffee house. We had the funds and felt it would be an awesome location for us to get our feet wet. Unfortunately the powers that be at the time had no interest. Go figure.

Lots of great suggestions here and ones I personally would be exploring with a little more zeal than most. There are too many strip centers in the community. Sun City was built before the advent of big box stores and we see the impact because of them; way too many empty store fronts and that doesn't look good no matter what else we do in the community.

Our web presence is in the process of becoming way better. Stay tuned.

 

Talisman not too exciting. If we're looking for a "hub" locale, Lakeview area is pretty much the best. It's on the 106 Valley Metro bus route, on a main road like Thunderbird, centrally located, and has something beautiful to look at: the lake! The property that used to be The Lakes Club would be ideal since it has lakefront patio space. Even though I heard it will be long-term rented, it doesn't necessarily mean that purchasing it would be off the table--so what if RCSC has to act as a landlord until the contract expires? Steady stream of income coming in probably isn't a bad investment....
At any rate, any renovation plans for Lakeview should include space for a community center and centralization of offices like SCHOA and Visitors' Center, etc. Why not add a storey or two and have a gorgeous view? Ever go up to the top floor of Banner Boswell and see the mt views, the lake, etc? STUNNING! To dine and view, to socialize and view, etc. Wow.

 

Don't even get me started on the Lakes Club scj, that's when then veins start bulging. For now it's yesterday's news and so we just need move on. There's been discussions by the long range planning committee about the whole Lakeview Rec Center and while its not in the budget any time soon, coming boards will be looking at those kinds of changes. It's why I would argue we need more a more forward thinking board who see the potential in aggressively moving in a direction beyond small picture Sun City and looking at the bigger picture Sun City. This board is doing some of that, but an even broader perspective would serve us better (IMHO).

It appears we will have a number of candidates in the coming RCSC election and perhaps we can get some of them to stop by this site and share their view of Sun City's future. How nice would that be?

 

That would be great to hear their views etc... Do you know them? Can you get them on the site.. I am sure admin could even start a thread on here just for the SCRC if that would be helpful... If you get all those members to come on.. You should email the admin...

Great info on all this by the way.. Educating me a lot!

 

I know that many of us in the clay club at the Lake center are wishing for some elbow room but understand that any remodel to the building will be when I am but dust in the wind lol. We keep hoping and planning for a Fired Arts Center and hope to see a board that can look forward a bit. But to hear the new candidates views would be very much welcome and hope to see them on this site.

 

Geez, I hate to ask Fiona because I know this is one of those hot button topics for those of you in the two clay clubs; but, would the two clubs consider a merger if they could get one really nice location with enough space to accommodate both? I've/we've heard mixed comments regarding that matter. BTW, I love the name Fired Arts Center.

The challenge of course if for clubs to get on the same page when it comes to mergers and consolidations (in my humble opinion, this will be one of our biggest struggles in the coming years). Many of the clubs are dwindling in numbers and the idea that people would have to drive 5 miles rather than 5 blocks to get to their club is sometimes upsetting. Space is always at a premium and consolidation would allow us to increase club size, have fewer officers and more effective use of club space by having more members in that location.

I look forward to your answer.

 

I look forward to reading commentary on a regular basis from RCSC board members and candidates. Communication is always key. By all means, encourage them to come to this site and also to the coffee gathering chat in July.
Interesting talk about some possible consolidation. Actually, that is what makes some of the newer Sun Cities have a throbbing hub of activity. However, transportation should be considered in any decisions. Both Lakeview and Fairway are on the Valley Metro 106 line and both of them and Mountainview are part of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) range. Naturally, one hopes that better transport options become available, but until then, having a mix of activities available at Lakeview and Fairway makes good sense.
Also worth considering, is to develop a cooperative store with items for sale representative of all of the craft clubs. Look at what Sun City West has. Clubs can still have their regular on-site shops, but one centralized one would really showcase the clubs and be such a good recruiting tool too. When I host visitors, they are often on tight schedules and like one-stop shopping. The various times and locations of our shops make it difficult for such people, but I tell you, I have witnessed close to hundred dollar purchases more than once when we go to Sun City West....Additionally, the PR for SCW was oozing out of the enthusiastic volunteers who staffed it.

 

WOW! This is pretty cool, being able to communicate with Sun City people who have interests and ideas feeling energized to share them. Yes, would'nt it be wonderful to have a place to unite? How about the old BOBBI's on 99th and Bell? Could we turn that into a coffee shop/club for all Sun City residents to be welcomed? I'll look into it if you guys think it could work. It would have been nice to have bought but in the meantime lets do something NOW. What do you think???

 

Interesting thought sts; the problem of course is all of the shopping centers in Sun City think they are sitting on a gold mine. Any retail space is overpriced and out of reach for the kinds of things we'd like to do to expand our horizons within the RCSC board. Things move slowly in Sun City so what is most important is getting the discussion going now so down the road people are at least thinking in a positive and constructive way about where we are going.

Welcome btw; you may want to stop on over to the section where we all have introduced ourselves. It would be nice to know a little bit about you, where you are from and that kind of stuff.

 

BPearson!

We have had a few socials with the other clay club and many there are excited about the possibility of merging the two. Some have voiced their opposition regarding the kiln firing and that there would be 12 or more kilns to load, but I see that as splitting teams and having the same number of people still doing the task of loading and unloading. I am sure there will be cat fights, some will quit but most will remain and new members coming in all the time. Our vice president is on her way back from Chicago and will be living here full time now. She will most likely be in touch with you regarding this move in the future. I think the last vote we took the majority was in favor of such a building.

 

I wanted to mention also that my husband and I attended our first town hall meeting and loved it. We learned a lot from the bug man regarding our bee swarms and what to do if attacked by bees. We plan on attending many more when they start up again.

 

Thanks for the information Fiona, we've been getting mixed messages regarding this.

I keep missing the SCHOA town hall meetings but I love the idea.