Recreation Centers of Sun City West facilities will be off limits to owner members for another month.
The extended closure of facilities was put into effect March 23 with closures to run through at least Sunday, May 3. Initially, RCSCW officials closed facilities March 12 with the tentative reopening March 30. With the rec centers’ Pandemic Task Force and key staff meeting regularly, looking ahead the closure date will be reevaluated based on the COVID-19 spread and what is happening across the state, according to RCSCW officials.
Arizona Fire & Medical Authority Deputy Chief Eric Kriwer believes the actions of the extended closure was crucial.
“We have known for many weeks that COVID-19 was going to have significant impact on our community,” he said. “I applaud the Recreation Centers of Sun City West for showing leadership and taking early action and understanding how important it is to slow the rate of spread as suggested by the CDC and the Arizona Department of Health Services. I am confident that their swift actions have saved lives in our community.”
All recreation centers, the bowling center, library and other facilities, with the exception of golf, will remain closed. Golf courses are open with certain restrictions to ensure social distancing. This includes limiting time in the pro shop and, as a result, golfers are encouraged to put money on their accounts so they can pay over the phone or with minimal interaction at the pro shop counter.
“We understand these new virus protection measures in golf are not popular, but we are asking for our members’ cooperation. These changes are consistent with the USGA and other golf courses,” RCSCW General Manager Bill Schwind said. “Anyone caught removing the cup inserts or otherwise removing our protections will have their golf privileges suspended.”
A small group remains intact in administration, but that could change depending on state restrictions that may be put in place. Member services staff is working 8:30-11:30 a.m. weekdays to take dues payments over the phone and to enter payments arriving by mail. A mailbox drop is also located outside the main gates in front of member services.
Additionally, member dues are not refundable and not optional, per the agreement each homeowner signs when buying a home in Sun City West, according to RCSCW officials. Dues are used to maintain the facilities and are not a guarantee of facility availability.
“We are taking our cues from the local fire department, the CDC and the Arizona Department of Health Services. We are doing our part to reduce the spread by closing our facilities and asking residents to stay home and stay safe. We’d like to also remind our residents that emergency personnel are asking residents not to call 911 unless they are experiencing severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath or chest pains,” Katy O’Grady, RCSCW general services officer, said. “Let’s keep our crews free to help the most severe cases and to handle their usual caseload. We know our closures aren’t convenient for anyone, but these are extraordinary times and we appreciate our members’ cooperation.”
Sun City West resident Jo Boulet, who is very active in the community and visits the pool every day, said she and her husband really miss their activities but previously decided to stay in before it was suggested.
“We had already decided to put ourselves in hibernation and made the decision we were going to stop being active out in the community,” Ms. Boulet said.

She had been keeping up a strict exercising routine, which has been cut off. Her previous pool walks, which is necessary due to back issues, is no longer. For now, she is looking for things to do at home that won’t put her out.
“I am also not aware of any friends who are angry, most see the sense in it and a few that don’t understand any part of why we are keeping our social distancing, but for the most part everyone understands the reasoning,” she explained. “The closure extension is absolutely necessary because it’s really our only possibility of keeping any control on the spread of the virus.”
While Ms. Boulet waits, she and her husband are busy working on home projects that got away from them throughout the years. She has a list and they are tackling it one thing at a time to keep busy.