Dang, i wrote it for a display but it is way too many words and i'll have to cut it down a lot. Thought someone might enjoy the too long brief story. Enjoy: From Clueless to Amazing...The Evolution of the RCSC. Reading the headline, one would think I am being critical, I am not. The reality is the Del E Webb Development Corporation (DEVCO) had too many concerns about January 1's Grand Opening than to worry about the organizational structure of running clubs that had not even formed. Think about it; would anyone show up? Would those coming buy a house? Was the location too far out from civilization? Much to everyone's surprise; sales were explosive. While it took till May of 1960 for the first buyers to arrive, the focus was on moving forward, not the internal process so much. The good news was, the residents by the middle of 1960 already began to understand the critical role they would play. Ownership meant way more than for just your home. Many realized it included helping shape the community. One of the first organizations formed was the Sun City Civic Association. In January of 1961, DEVCO deeded to the members Community Center (Oakmont) by a vote of 1051 yes and 54 no. The unfortunate part of the story was the fees to belong to it were optional. 40% of those buying homes in New Life 1 and 2 did not pay the $40 yearly fee. DEVCO quickly realized the error of their ways and the next phase being planned and built adopted what we all know today as the "facilities agreement." Buying into Sun City came with a commitment to pay a yearly fee. With everyone paying, the cost was $20 per person per year. Unfortunately those differences lingered until 1968 when the two seperate recreation centers merged and became the Sun City Community Association. While it took awhile, the opening of Town Hall North (Fairway,1961) and Town Hall South (Mountainview,1967) along with the announced move north of Grand Ave created the incentive for those living around Community Center to accept signing a facilities agreement. Once moving across the tracks of Grand Ave, home sales and adding amenities were unrivaled. The gorgeous resort style Lakeview Recreation Center introduced at the beginning of 1970 was just the first of 4 centers to follow. In 1972 the Sun City Civic Association voted for a name change to the Recreation Centers of Sun City (RCSC). Along with it came name changes at several existing centers. Once the new organization was renamed, DEVCO promptly built the SunDial Center (1972), the massive Bell Center (1976) and the final one, Marinette (1979). The only center that DEVCO took time in deeding to the community was Town Hall, there were some concerns by residents about costs of running them. The golf courses took more time as well, with 7 courses being "sold" ($10 and a cup of coffee) to the RCSC in the summer of 1977. A year later, Quail Run was also added to the RCSC amenity package. It wasn't until 1982 when DEVCO worked out a deal for the RCSC to buy the Sun Bowl. The members voted for a $2 per year increase in their annual assessment to become the owners. It was a great purchase and to this day members love attending concerts at the open air venue. One last note regarding the RCSC and the much loved style of self-governance and ownership. In 1999, the RCSC board of directors (all community members), voted to include a point of sale preservation and improvement fee (PIF) to their documents. Sun City's amenity package was aging and it proved to be one of the best decisions ever made in Sun City. It started at $750 and is currently $4000. The money collected can only be used for projects with a 15 year life and more than 300k. This fund has allowed the RCSC to update and add to the incredible amenity package given to us by DEVCO. Suffice to say, no one in 1960, as Sun City was unveiled, knew or understood what was in store. The simple reality is, those buying into this new active way of life were unwilling to let the community fail. Every step of the way, they worked hard to insure those of us following would be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
As i sat writing this the other day, i couldn't help marveling the amazing role the residents played from near on the day we opened. Those first buyers stepped up and bought into the entire ownership mentality. Let me be blunt, it was based on need, not want. DEVCO's policy the first 5 years was non-involvement. John Meeker changed that the day he came; he understood the importance of a helping hand. Nothing was ever easy or without struggle. There were pitfalls and missteps but it never stopped those putting up their hands and volunteering to quit and walkaway. It simply wasn't in their vocabulary. It's exactly why i shove history in your faces every chance i get. Most folks are clueless when it comes to what it took to make Sun City what it was. Sadly the evolution of the past 15 years has changed the community dynamic. It was based on a premise that a GM and a handful of board members knew far better what was best for the community. Was it arrogance? I don't think so. The past taught us engaging the community was hard work, took time and slowed down how the organization functioned. What we saw was those touting the changes had a vision where Sun City would become like every other age restricted community...only cheaper. The problem with that scenario is that we weren't built like every other senior community. Those differences call for involvement, commitment and nurturing. They call for us to bring members in, not push them away. In my humble opinion it was just wrong headed thinking based on a failure to understand what Sun City was and why it was so successful. Or, in a worse case scenario, they didn't care enough to continue down that path. The funny thing is, the above piece was way too long to use on an exhibit. Consequently i rewrote and condensed the article. I have been told by too many people, too many times, i write too much. The fact of the matter is, you cannot tell the Sun City story, the RCSC story in a handful of words.
Bill, my belief, (based on my personal experiences with the GM and RCSC, much more limited than yours) is that arrogance was part of the equation. The GM was dismissive of residents and the Board was as well. I went to the evening quorum meeting lo so many years ago, and was lied to by two campaigning-for-the-board folks about the positions they held about the quorum issue. Just politics, just lies to get on the Board. What you emphasize, about accountability and transparency, is key. Thank you for keeping us all informed.
Hey Nia, spot on as the evolution from a bottom up organization to being run from the top down (with all of us on the bottom) was readily evident over the years. Arrogance was easily the best descriptor. Welcome to TOSC.
