I know, it's been bleak sounding the past month or so how TOSC. Posters (and some readers) hate when we are critical about Sun City stuff. I get it, we should all just feel good all the time about where we live. Sorry, but that's not just always the way it is. I write on here because i love Sun City, what we are, where we are headed and how we get there. If i disagree or don't like that direction, i speak out. It doesn't make me right, its just my opinion. Sadly, there's too few of us who take the time to articulate our thoughts and concerns. In another thread, i said i had a new found hope, a reason to get excited. I know, i get pumped by odd stuff, i always have. Just the way i'm built. Most people would yawn and go back to sleep. Instead, i crawl out of bed at 4am and start writing. Go figure. Let me set this up this way: Good friends asked me why i supported Rich Hoffer when he ran for the board. There were a couple of reasons; one being he took exception to the GM not wanting either the long range planning committee or filming of the monthly meetings and made both happen during his first term. The second reason was far more important. One of his campaign goals was to insure Sun City stay competitive in the age restricted marketplace. He understood the importance of a long range planning committee that was focused on the future. The first year (2018) they were formed and were trying to get established and set a course. In 2019 Rich became the chair and Dale Lehrer became the co-chair. They added two more committee members (Ben Roloff and myself) to a solid core already there and immediately tasked them with defining roles. We broke into two groups, the practicals and the dreamers. At our meeting the other day, it was invigorating to see how quickly we were moving. The dreamers were looking at Gen X and what kind of impact they will have on Sun City. The practical group identified several key aspects they could center on, but first and foremost was technology. What is fascinating is in how those two arena's intersect. Gen X are technology driven and the importance of building our future from a more technology friendly perspective is essential to us becoming a community of choice. There's volumes more for us to do, to research, but we are on the right path. It is how one builds a cohesive plan with set goals and objectives. What's the old adage? Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. With what i saw the other day, i am more optimistic about our future than i have been in years.
I would be interested in what type of scope this new Long Range Planning Committee will be directed. Are the Grand Avenue & Mountain View projects off the table? Mountain View should be part of the consideration of the LRPC as a performing arts center should still be considered a bad idea for Mountain View because of size and parking restrictions. Take a look at what Sun City West built in 1989 with seating over 325 and has updated continually over the years: https://theatrewest.scwclubs.com/ There would be much more advantage to make Mountain View a center where swimming & sports were center stage.....not meetings, movies & stage productions. Long Range Planning should take into account all current facilities and what would best fit into each center. Lap swimming, an outdoor jacuzzi, a sports pool for water volleyball, and ample decking somewhat it is like now for socializing have all been requested. The current building could be expanded to accommodate the request for court sports i.e. basketball, volleyball, badminton etc. The dance & exercise clubs could also share the area. The cancelled LRPC of the early 2010s did a study in conjunction with management to see where a performing arts center would best fit on RCSC property. The result was the southeast corner of the parking lot at Bell Rec Center. Parking is ample, the size of the building footprint fits and the comfortable, tiered seating would make viewing events easily endured. I think only those that play Bingo are willing to suffer through more than an hour on the current auditorium folding chairs. Unless the LRPC can consider all properties, clubs & events your hands will be tied and any attempt to change the frequently changed Long Range Plan from June 2016 will rule the day. If all is optional to the committee I, too, would be excited!
Not our charge at this point aggie. Hopefully once they see what is available due to the parking at Mountainview. someone will come to their senses. Building a 400 seat theater there will only prove to be inadequate. I know the players are happy with that size but given the poularity of the shows at Sun Dial a comfortable Performing Arts Center that seats 800 makes far more sense. It could be two levels, 500 on the main floor with another 300 on the second level. Elevated seat and elavatotrs to get to the second level when they need it. The shows at Sun Dial get 1200 to 1500, but they could run matinee and evening performances and everyone could get in, be comfortable, have great site lines and a kick ass sound system. Mountainview becomes the “sports” venue.. I would do two pools, one strictly water volleyball and water aerobics. The other would maintain the awesome characteristics the current one has. Win/win for everyone. The remaining land holds a gymn that does voleyball, basketball, badminton, dances and other similar activities. add a nice fitness area and it’s a done deal. To satisfy the theater people, they would need to build the performing arts center first and the corner where the farmers market is perfect. That’s where it was supposed to be all along. That pushes Mountainview back a year or two, but better to get it right rather than regret doing it wrong. Of course all of this depends on doing due diligence. Determining what fits on the land available is the first step. We know the board has shifted gears in the past and this is one of those times they should take a deep breath and analyze what is best for the long run.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the LRPC makes recommendations and the GM approves them and tells the board what to vote on. In any case, judging by the attendance at the Sun Bowl concerts, an 800 seat venue is going to fall way short. If there is going to be a performing arts center, the venue should be built to handle more than they expect to attend the events there. Why does the performing arts center have to be in Sun City? No matter where it is built, there are going to be objections to its location because many Sun Citians don't want to travel out of there neighborhood. Again, the concerts at the Sun Bowl get the greatest number of attendees. If there are going to be free events at the performing arts center, then 800 seats is hardly going to scratch the surface. A performing arts center would be a great addition to Sun City, but its size and location must be thoroughly researched and input from the membership of Sun City must be solicited. As was mentioned in another thread, we can't have a few individuals deciding what the majority wants.
The biggest problem for any venue is going to be parking SCR. Existing facilities are grandfathered on parking restrictions, new ones have to meet current county codes. The Sun Bowl will always be the go-to venue for the free shows, the paid performances at Sun Dial could accommodate 1600 people if they run split performances. At this point, anything we are saying here is simply fodder for speculation. You know they ran two town hall meetings for Mountainview and there was volumes of commentary. Realistically, the bulk of it was from those living around that center and that used it the most. And of course, from the Players Club, who just want a new place to put their plays on that is comfortable. I suspect any suggestions for change would be seen in a negative light by them. That's why i say to get buy-in it would have to be done as quickly as possible. As i said earlier, due diligence is important. We need to know what can go into Mountainview and what could be done at Bell. Both would be subject to county codes regarding parking. As far as whether people are happy where anything is built, the fact is no one, no matter where they live could be more than 7 miles away. And in the case of Bell, the furthest reach would be about 5 miles.
