I've been ripped fairly often on social media by theater lovers who want their 40 million dollar Mountain View project to move ahead post haste. Nope, no worries on my end, as it comes with the territory of posting my thoughts and sharing concerns. My biggest and most outspoken critic is the vice president of the Sun City Players who has run the gamut of calling me everything from bully to a liar about the numbers. Funny thing is, when i post the data from the RCSC website regarding the next 8 years, he suddenly goes silent. Nothing shocking there because every time someone tells me how Sun City needs to proceed ASAP on MV, my first question/response is, what about the 40 million dollars? Most ignore the question and tell how they need better more comfortable seating. I agree, but the issue is at what cost? So, rather than belabor this whole back and forth, let's cut to the quick and ask anyone this one question that should tell us how to proceed. It's pretty straight forward: Do you think Sun City's future over the next 8 years is enhanced by investing in two (5-6 million dollar total) golf course maintenance buildings, 18 million dollars in desert landscaping and a 40 million MV project? That takes us through 2032, and literally spends everything dollar we will collect in PIF. Does that make any sense to anyone reading this? Love to hear your thoughts.
I need to do more research on other needs, but my reaction is no. Where are funds for promises to the Dog Club? We have no clue what the survey will unveil. Why do our golf maintenance buildings cost millions? I realize it's early in the year, but the revenues are down for the first months of this year. The recent real estate flyer had basically no SC homes for sale, although Zillow and Trulia have listings if you do a search, but I noticed they don't seem to be selling as fast, and prices look like are being lowered from original listing prices. Is it my imagination or are there an extraordinary amount of rentals, including seasonal rentals? Any idea if it is becoming more prevalent? What affect will this have? Will investors buying for long term rentals reduce turnover of sales adding to PIF? Do we know yet the impact of the new development by Royal Oaks...adding to PIF or annual assessments? I know the small strip mall across from Marinette is small, but it does have 60 parking spaces. Would it accommodate the dog club and other smaller needs? For the right price? Just a thought. It gives Phase 3 additional amenity opportunities - not that we need to keep a score card, but it is across from Marinette so is it an opportunity that should be explored? With the significant increases for golf course maintenence, it's time the advisory committee, Board and management realize that golfers need to pay more and non residents need to pay a LOT more if we're going to continue to be the West Valley golf mecca. Our Fountain Hills friends were dumbfounded at not just the number of courses, but the cost to play! Just a few things rolling around.
I want to be very clear on what you are saying E? Moving the theater to a location other than Mountain View is the same as moving the Museum out of the first model home in Sun City? The Players have been at Mountain View since it opened in 1967. There have been performances at the Sun Bowl and at the Sun Dial Auditorium, but MV was their home; albeit in a roller rink. With that out of the way E, are you telling me it has to be Mountain View because a larger theater somewhere else simply wouldn't work or be right?
We debate their history of where and when they performed at other venues E, but the it's not really the point is it? Originally they began at Community center (Oakmont) because that was all there was. The stage at Mountain View along with the size and better parking saw them move to the newer larger auditorium. I suspect some of the movement to other stages was as a much a timing issue and the use of the open flat space available. The theater supporters are clinging to MV more because of the fear of delays than any burning desire that it has to be at that location. Which was why i asked the question, does it really matter where it is? Or, is it more a question of when it is? Those answers matter. As far as the Pball courts at MV, those were converted tennis courts that were resurfaced. I have heard the number being under 300K for the conversion which meant it did not meet the 300K to qualify as a PIF project. There was never a point where they would be "temporary." Pball was exploding across the country even back then and our goal was to have courts available both north and south of Grand. There's actually a copy of Jubilee at the Museum with any number of pages flagged with errors (found by the author Jane Freeman). I have never looked at it so no idea on whether that accounting of MV becoming the players "permanent home" is right or wrong. The fact is most of their plays have been held there; most, not all. Trying to resolve this mess will be a challenge. The board that approved the 40 million dollar boondoggle was fiscally and financially irresponsible as they cavalierly promised everything to everybody with absolutely no regard to either costs or long term impact to the community. The new board inherited it and rather than ignoring what was done have begun to try and dig their way out.
I may be wrong but I was led to believe that storm water retention was required for new construction in Maricopa County. None of the site plans seem to show any type of flood control in an area that has seen heavy flooding ay 107th and Mountain View.
I think you are correct Bruce and that question has been raised and ignored to date. Apparently this effort to continue to push the MV project along is still an exercise in futility. I know i have been accused of all sorts of agenda that is silly on its face. I have one agenda and that is that Sun City's future not be tied to an 8 year plan that converts golf course roughs to desert landscaping, two maintenance sheds and a 40 million dollar boondoggle. Get everyone in a room and sort out both what we need at MV and what we can afford. The way it was shoved through in 2021 was embarrassing on so many levels. I really don't care where a theater is built. I do care that common sense is the theme behind the decision making and not the fears of a board in the majority terrified they were going to lose and made promises we simply could not afford to keep. Here's a really novel approach: tell the architect we have 20 million dollars to spend at MV, here's what we have to have in the plans and then find out of it is doable. How freaking hard is that?
