Kudos to Tom Marone and his letter in the Jan. 1 edition of the Independent, as well as follow-up supporting letters from Roni Baker and Larry Chalupnik in the Jan. 8 edition.
My wife and I have been owner/residents and RCSC members in Phase 1 near Fairway and Mountain View rec centers for 10 years. During that time there have been several ill-conceived plans for renovations at Mountain View, including suggestions to demolish existing pickleball courts and relocate them to Lakeview to replace existing tennis courts, building a new indoor gymnasium and an expanded or new Performing Arts Center, and adding indoor pickleball courts.
The end result has been that the only changes have been recarpeting the mini-golf course and some improvements to the pool area while permanently closing the indoor spa. Any improvements or renovations to the fitness area, the lawn bowling area or the pickleball courts have been on perpetual hold with considerable funds spent on studies which were later rejected. The latest suggestions called for a “new” PAC at Lakeview at the expense of lawn bowling greens and some parking.
By contrast, a major rebuilding project at the Fairway center was accomplished in three years between 2008 and 2011.
As stated by Tom Marone, the existing facilities at Sundial appear to meet the needs of winter concert-goers as well as other users of the Sundial Auditorium. Any interior improvements to seating, storage and staging could be accomodated at a fraction of the cost of a new building at another location.
Common-sense scheduling of performing arts events a few times a year could certainly be accomplished with careful planning. In addition, as stated, the current PAC facilities at Mountain View could still be used for rehearsals and other needs of the PAC at minimal cost in comparison to a new structure.
Perhaps just as important is the fact that removing major expenses for renovation or rebuilding of the PAC at Mountain View or a new building elsewhere would allow the long-delayed Mountain View project to proceed in a common-sense fashion to renovate or reuse the fitness area and closed indoor spa in an appropriately efficient manner.
Lastly, in my opinion, the use of pen names to communicate opinions indicates a lack of the courage of conviction of writers.
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