The Best Friends Dog Club has always had to work hard to prove it is worthy of its own facility or a place members can gather with their best friends for learning and fun activities.
They are trying again to get the Recreation Centers of Sun City board to understand how important it is for the safety of all to have a climate controlled facility.
When I moved to Sun City in 2001 the club existed but had to share a meeting room in the old Fairway. Many members at that time suggested the club start trying to get a place to hold training classes. I was on that committee and we asked the RCSC to enlarge the small fenced area on the southwest corner of the property. After lots of discussion we finally got that accomplished.
Members met to build agility equipment and basic obedience and agility programs were developed. A storage shed for that arena was affectionately called the “Dog House.” When the plans for the new Fairway were revealed, the club had lost our space and there was no place planned for the club to continue the training classes. The committee worked hard to get space considered and designed for Best Friends in the new Facility. So plans were drawn up for a fenced yard on the east end along with a storage room for equipment. We were happy to have a place designated for our club only.
After completion of Fairway the problem we faced was the direct sun on members and their dogs while in class. Classes were not scheduled during the heat of the summer but even classes October-April presented health concerns for the members. We again approached the RCSC for a shade over the training area. We even talked about sharing the new Bell lawn bowl facility, but that did not occur. Several areas were then discussed but no progress was made by the time I stepped away from the club.
Due to extreme temperatures in our area I believe that the safety concern for members and their dogs should be addressed so they can function year-round. This club has proven it will do what it takes to provide a wonderful adventure for seniors and their best friends.
