Kaleugher: Arguing for ADA restrooms at centers in Sun City
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Maybe you think it would be fair for the Sun City rec centers to temporarily lower their monthly fees since the centers are closed.
Possibly you think they might share in the losses incurred by everyone during this pandemic. Don’t hold your breath. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I believe if the management of the rec centers could think of a way to profit from the quarantine we would be paying a “lack of use” fee.
I moved here from the east three years ago on the promise of having a full life packed with activities, which would be available at seven rec centers for what I thought was a reasonable annual fee. Checking to see if this beautiful retirement community was ADA compliant in 2017 never crossed my mind. I have since been told by rec center management that was my own fault. It seems their lawyers have told them that they are “grandfathered” and don’t need to upgrade any bathrooms in the centers.
So, I sold my house, turned my life upside down and moved across the country and I can only use the facilities if I don’t ever have to use the “facilities.”
Originally I was told that there were wheelchair accessible restrooms, but no one could tell me where to find them. So I decided to follow up on that and I found that yes, there were three — one of which was not usable. I was then directed to the McDonald’s on 99 Avenue and Bell Road.
I have been arguing my case for three years now. I never ask to have “no fee,” only to reduce it until they could upgrade bathrooms. I knew I would pay if I chose to never use the facilities. I’m fine with paying for golf courses. They are beautiful. I just never thought I’d be paying for gyms I couldn’t use, clubs I couldn’t join, pools I couldn’t swim in (well, I could but you wouldn’t want me to — we’ve covered that restroom issue ).
Since I began this quest I have incurred late fees and lawyers fees hitting thousands of dollars. I guess I should consider it a win that the new Grand Avenue center will be W/C accessible. Maybe they’re realizing that they do need to be ADA compliant but I’m not holding my breath!