by Jim Wellman
General Centers Projects and Information
• The electronic sign project continues to progress with all signs now installed. The electrical boring work under RCSC parking lots is still underway but expected to be completed by March 2, 2015. On February 10, 2015 while boring work was underway at Bell Center, the contractor hit the main water line feeding Bell Center which shut down the center for that afternoon and evening. All the proper precautions were taken, including blue stake and private utility line locates, but the main water line into Bell Center is a 3″ concrete pipe which was not detectable with line locating equipment. Unfortunately, the RCSC does not have architectural drawings or other reference materials for utility lines installed under the parking lots. The problem was further complicated that day by the fact that 3″ concrete water line pipe is no longer available. After a call was made to Epcor water, a used section of suitable concrete pipe was found and the water line was restored to service about 9PM that night. Electronic sign project contractors include: Bootz and Duke Signs and Accel Electric. (PIF Cost – $850,775)
Viewpoint Lake / Duffeeland
• Eric Swanson, RCSC Viewpoint Lake consultant, is currently working with volunteers in hanging the “Fingerling Fortress” habitat from homeowner docks. In addition, volunteers are being contacted to help at the March 3-5 and March 10-12 workday events to install pea gravel for the spawning beds around the lake. A spring fish delivery is set up for April and May 2015. Fish deliveries will include channel catfish, largemouth bass, copper-nose bluegill, red-ear sunfish, white amur and threadfin shad. If you would like to volunteer for the Viewpoint Lake habitat project please call the RCSC at 623-561-4600 and add your name and phone number to our volunteer list.
• The building permit has been approved by Maricopa County Building and Planning Department for the Duffeeland Dog Park renovation project. Bid packets will be assembled soon and sent to various construction companies. Once all bids are received the project will be submitted to the RCSC bid commission for final approval. Currently the target date for commencement of this project is May 2015.
Bell Center
• Bell Tennis is progressing nicely with all concrete poured, fencing fabric installed and court surface coating underway. Mini golf hole #4 is now carpeted and expected to reopen very soon. The tennis project includes demolition of the current (8) tennis courts and the installation of (10) new tennis courts. The new updated complex will also include a shaded gathering area, courtside canopies, water and electric to each court, tables and benches for spectators and planters in the common areas. Contractors include Lloyd Sports Engineering as architect and project manager and Sunland Sports as building contractor. (PIF Cost – $1,778,074)
• The Darts activity area at Bell Lanes is now being constructed. Currently the glass and solid panel wall which divides this area from the billiards area is completed. Installation of electrical outlets, relocation of a door and setup of the five dart machines is underway. Appropriate tables and chairs are currently being located with hopes to open this amenity by March 16, 2015. Contractors include: Jocoran Glass, Accel Electric, Ken McIntyre Construction and the RCSC Skilled Trades Department. (Cost – $35,000)
Marinette Center
• The Marinette project is nearing completion. At this time the fitness room and lobby areas are being setup. The pool and spa will receive final interior pebble sheen finish and be filled with water the week of February 23, 2015, and the solar pool heating equipment will be started and put online once the pool is filled. Court surface finish on all pickleball courts is underway and WOW is it looking good! The existing four pickleball courts are receiving new net posts, a bottom rail around the perimeter fence and the fence fabric re-tensioned. The parking lot to the South of the new facility and West driveway will be pulverized and paved the week of March 1, 2015. Completion of the landscape work is needed in order to pass the grading and drainage inspection for the final Certificate of Occupancy (COO), however the track, horseshoes and basketball areas will remain closed a little longer, as additional track concrete cure time is needed before application of the rubberized surface is made. Contractors include: CCBG Architectural, Robert Porter Construction, Regional Paving and Aquatic Builders. (PIF Cost – $4,709,422)
Fairway Center
• The new ramp was installed in the fire lane/drop off area just west of the bike racks. Construction of the new concrete ramp was completed by Ken McIntyre Construction.(Cost -$3,048)
Mt View Center
• Due to tripping hazards, the concrete entry and some of the sidewalks leading into the breezeway and Facility Attendants station have been replaced. Contractor was Ken McIntyre Construction. (Cost – $13,505)
Riverview Pro Shop Building
• While the Riverview golf course is shutdown for renovations, the pro shop / snack shop building will also see some renovations of its own. The building permit for this project has been approved by the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department. So far the old patio roof and columns have been removed, the parking lot saw cut and asphalt removed and some demolition performed in the snack shop. Improvements include new covered patios off the East and South sides of the existing building, a fire sprinkler system, parapet wall and roofing work, ceiling replacements, new lighting, new flooring and other interior renovations. Contractors include Ken McIntyre Construction, Accel Electric and CCBG Architectural. (Cost – $524,236)
Willowcreek / Willowbrook Pro Shop Building
• The four outside entrance areas leading into the pro shop and snack shop received temporary repairs to prevent tripping. New flooring material for these entrances is on order and will be installed sometime in March 2015. Contractor is Baker Brothers Carpeting. (Cost – $3,207)
Skilled Trades Department
• The RCSC Skilled Trades department completed 147 work orders during the last two weeks of January 2015 and the first two weeks of February 2015. The RCSC skilled Trades fitness technician and pool mechanic completed routine maintenance work which is not a part of the work order system.
Centers Operations
• New pool furniture has been delivered to Marinette in anticipation of the center opening. Included in this order are 8 “high-bed” loungers which are being tested since they are not as low to the ground as a standard lounger. Bell Center is also receiving more pool loungers to meet the demand of that facility.
• Once again our appreciation goes out to RCSC staff as they have been very busy supporting events like the Art Show at Bell Center, the Mt View Players Club performance “Playing The Palace” and the Clay Club juried show at Lakeview Center. The staff at Sundial pulled double-double duty the weekend of February 21 and 22. There was a dance Friday night. Saturday morning by 7:00am, 1500 chairs were set up for the Annual Membership Meeting and then the chairs were torn down for a dance that same night. Sunday morning the RCSC team set up for the Tip Top Dancers show and then were called upon to set up for the “The Blue Yonders” show which moved from the Sun Bowl to Sundial due to inclement weather on Monday afternoon. What a weekend!
• In addition to all the other activities in Sun City, cardholders are enjoying themselves by participating in activities such as the Arizona Senior Games held at the Sundial Bocce courts the week of February 16-20 , checking out a paddle boat and cruising Viewpoint Lake and playing water volleyball in the new Oakmont pool.