In response to the Jan. 31 newspaper front page story, I, yet again, saw the pickleball club monopolizing Mountain View Recreation Center news.
I’ve lived here six years and tried to stand up for one of the longest and hardworking clubs in Sun City’s history, the Sun City Players. We have collaborated with several other Sun City entertainment clubs, who also have longevity and history here, to advocate building a theater/performing arts center.
These performance clubs (actors, dancers, singers, orchestras and musicians) all want to have a stage with good sound, lights, seating and acoustics. Our equipment is sadly out-of-date and not compatible with today’s technology requirements. We have the money to build and we simply want to continue providing entertainment! We especially need our electronics updated with today’s wireless/BlueTooth/5G connections!
The pictures of the pickleball domes to be built at Mountain View center remind me of post-World War II hangers and temporary housing for veteran families in the late ‘40s. I do not understand how we are allowing these roll-up walls to be okay when the decibel level of the non-stop noisy pings of balls hitting back and forth all day disturb neighbors inside their homes. You can Google all the complaints from residents irritated by the decibel levels around the nation. Hence, old shopping malls are proving to be a good place to renovate and play ball.
I can’t imagine setting up spectator seating and, yet, that’s also their priority. Are these seats for all the out-of-towners to come sit while waiting to compete? We are not a sports arena and our retirement community was not designed for a limited group of physically fit seniors to monopolize rec centers. Nor are we zoned for spectator sports.
What happened that this group of eager newbies have overridden our wonderfully talented entertainment members and appreciative audiences? Our volunteerism is an asset to our community’s well-being and fits right in with aging joyfully. I think the board is promoting a new sports club too heavily. And now, there appears to be a new wave of concerned residents who need to know the original Plan M recommendations, which are no longer available for the public to view. Why not?
There is no doubt pickleball is popular, but it’s invasive for us to stress it in retirement years. Notice how tennis, roller skating and basketball all went elsewhere.
We do not need a huge Performing Arts Center either. As you may recall, the demolished too-big theater in Sun City West. However, we do need upgrades for safety measures and accomodations for audience members, plus equipment that works.
I also wonder about their pickleball sign-in sheets. All the clubs have to turn in their daily attendance to RCSC and I have heard that the pickleball players don’t. Hearsay perhaps, but I think that should be looked into because if we are not careful, this community which we live in will become lax and investors will love to see this become an all-age, high taxes playground. Already, the board is quoting what realtors would like to see for increasing values. I like living here because it’s still quiet and affordable. As seniors, we enjoy our peaceful homes.
I’m still trying to prioritize our theater here. It was in the works, but now kept quiet and money pushed back. The next delay will be “It’s too expensive,” yet tons of money seems to be available for pickleball expansion. Now is the time to give us our upgrade first. We’ve waited over 50 years! Let’s get back to serving our long-term residents instead of a pickleball.
