Mathewson: Shame on Sun City rec centers officials
Posted
The weekly Sun City Independent included an article (“RCSC will not pursue Sun City vaccination site,” Sun City Independent, Feb. 3, 2021) about the RCSC’s refusal to allow any of its recreation centers to be used as a point of distribution for COVID vaccinations.
Jan Ek, RCSC general manager, explained in the article that the corporation is prohibited by state law from allowing any activities in its facilities which are not “recreational.” Poppycock!
Over the years I’ve attended several events at the Sundial Center that were not “recreational.” The annual senior expo is a good example. The large ballroom is crammed with booths and tables promoting real estate companies, insurance agencies, exterminators, landscapers, estate planners, banks and a wide range of other non-recreational businesses.
Political parties and state clubs are allowed to have monthly meetings at various RCSC facilities. The Sun City Host Lions Club, to which I belong, has a table each year at the health expo at Sundial where we do a variety of free health-related screenings for Sun City residents. As with the senior expo, the room is full of scores of non-recreational displays, promotions and activities.
Perhaps what Jan Ek meant to say is that state law prohibits using RCSC facilities for anything which is (a) not recreational or (b) for which the RCSC cannot extract a monetary tribute in the form of rent or a user’s fee. If that’s the case, the RCSC should say so and we can put a tip jar near the exit so people getting vaccinations can compensate them for finally showing that the RCSC actually does care about the health and well-being of Sun City’s residents and guests during a pandemic.
Its location, size, close-in parking and the fact that the ballroom is not currently being used for anything else make the Sundial Center an absolutely perfect place for Walgreens or CVS to administer COVID vaccinations during the coming weeks.
If you agree, let the RCSC know by calling 623-561-4600. For best results, ask to speak to Jan Ek, general manager, or Chris Herring, operations director. You can also email them at jek@suncityaz.org or cherring@suncityaz.org. The RCSC’s website suggests that they sincerely look forward to hearing from you.
