The Recreation Centers of Sun City Board delivered the “elements” of the Mountain View Recreation Center project presentation on Jan. 18. They did a very good job of sorting out the details from the Strategic Alternative’s Committee discussions, ideas and recommendations.
The board “optimized” the elements that are best for the “whole of the community” based on prudent financial review, new data not known to the SAC and trend data. The board proposed a “trend adjusted” version of Plan M that left much of Plan M as is, but adds covered pickleball courts over lawn bowling. This makes sense since SAC data showed three lawn bowling areas south of Grand Avenue are no longer trend/usage appropriate. Improved lawn bowling turf at Fairway Recreation Center will take up the usage from Mountain View.
The next change provides Sun City a size-appropriate, purpose-built “new” theater in the central part of Sun City. The SAC discussed how a new theater located at Lakeview Recreation Center would attract more people, using professional performers from outside Sun City, likely providing RCSC “revenue-generating” activity. Instead of renovating an old building at Mountain View, the users (not just Players Club) of that theater get a new building at Lakeview. Bravo!
Instead of just adding six pickleball courts at Mountain View, they will add more (count uncertain) that are “covered.” We know Marinette Recreation Center’s covered courts have attracted people to Sun City. We get a new outdoor spa, pool area improvements, fitness room expansion, miniature golf and horseshoes at Mountain View.
Does this satisfy everyone? Of course not.
However, it was disappointing that most of the people speaking at Thursday’s meeting were the same “loud, special interest” set of people that could not see past their own “personal interests.” They wanted a renovated building and no more than six covered courts at Mountain View. They complained that a “dome” structure would look like a “tent city,” that a “quonset hut” was not aesthetically appealing. The same people want to put lipstick on an old building. How can they judge aesthetically appealing? Spending more on renovating an old building than less on building a new theater is illogical.
When will they say thank you for giving them something better and stop complaining about PB? Enough! It is time to be grateful for the community’s sake. If they truly want to get started, then say thank you, board, and ask how we can help get this built sooner?
