By: Jim Wellman
General Centers Information
I would like to open my report today with some information about the new pool covers, or pool blankets as some people call them. In early 2011 the RCSC placed an order for insulated pool blankets for the Mt. View, Oakmont, Lakeview, Bell Lap, and Marinette pools. (No insulated blankets were ordered for the Sundial indoor pools or the walking pool at Bell due to its serpentine design.) The purpose of the pool blankets is to retain heat in the swimming pool when night time temperatures dip lower than 80 degrees thereby reducing the “run time” for the pool heater. Manufacturers state that we can expect about 60 – 70% savings on pool heating costs when the blankets are in place. (Obviously, the pool blankets will not be used in the summertime as during the hot days and nights the pool heaters are turned off and our efforts are directed towards cooling the water and not retaining heat.) In addition, pool blankets reduce water evaporation so they help the RCSC in two ways, 1) They save money because less natural gas is used to run the heater and 2) They reduce the amount of water the center uses since the pool evaporates less than it would without a pool blanket installed.
After placing the pool blanket order, I was hopeful that the covers would be received in time to use them in the spring of 2011 when the nighttime temperatures were still low but since the blankets had to be custom fitted and then ordered, actual delivery of the product did not occur until late summer of this year. In September 2011, the pool covers were deployed to each of the above locations and staff were trained how to install and remove them each day. Installation of the pool blankets occurs right after closing time at each center and removal of the blankets occurs about 2 hours prior to opening the center while the pool worker is cleaning and preparing the pool for the day’s use. The covers can be installed by one person, but to ensure our employee’s safety, two utility workers at each location have been designated to install and remove the pool blankets each day. Once the blankets have been used for a reasonable amount of time, the RCSC will be able to compare prior natural gas and water usage with gas and water usage after deployment of the covers. I personally believe the RCSC will be pleasantly surprised!
I would like to highlight RCSC Facilities Attendant Linda Haugland today in my report. Linda is currently a daytime Facilities Attendant at Sundial Center. She has worked at Sundial for many years and originally started back when Paul Hansen was the Center Supervisor in 1998. Linda’s responsibilities include opening up the center at 6am three days a week and closing the center every other Sunday night. She stays busy greeting cardholders and their guests, verifying member cards, selling and punching visitor cards and imputing cardholder visits and facility usage data into the RCSC computer system. She also regularly walks the facility spot checking the pools & spas, the women’s shower room, the fitness room and at times is called upon to respond to cardholder emergencies or issues. Linda loves people and does her job very well. She has a real desire to serve RCSC cardholders and their guests by making their visit an enjoyable experience. Her bubbly personality and fun spirit combined with Sundial’s beautiful and well equipped facility help make Sundial a great place to swim, work out or just visit with friends and family. The next time you have an opportunity, please say hello to Linda and don’t be shocked if you happen to see her wearing a “Duck” costume!
Fairway Center and South, Quail Run Pro Shops
The Fairway Phase 2 project is in the “Final Inspections” stage and so far we have final inspections competed on the pools & spa by Maricopa County Environmental Services and have now passed the final inspection for grading & drainage as required by Maricopa County Planning and Development Department. Remaining inspections are being conducted, at the time of this report, on the building components, i.e. electrical, plumbing, mechanical, etc. and the pools / spa by Maricopa Planning and Development department. Once these inspections are completed we will make any required corrections as noted by the inspector. The final step will be a review of all project documentation and final inspection information by Maricopa County Planning and Development Department. If all is in order the RCSC will receive its Certificate of Occupancy.
North Golf Course Pro Shop
The parking lot at North Golf Course pro shop was seal coated. Contractor was Pinnacle Paving. (Cost – $3,776)
Lakeview Center
Exterior painting of all Lakeview Center buildings is still in progress. The work includes painting all exterior areas of Lakeview Center, Lakeview Lanes and the Lakeview Mini Golf building. The fabric on the shade canopies around the pool will also be replaced. Contractors are Quality Painting and Arizona Bag and Shade. (Cost – $48,937)
The re-carpeting project for Lakeview Lanes has been approved by the RCSC bid commission. Carpet tile is currently on order for bowling, pool room, offices, team room and restaurant. The schedule for closures at Lakeview Lanes will occur as follows: Bowling will be closed November 4th at 8pm thru November 6th , Billiards will be closed November 4th thru Friday November 11th. The team room and offices will then be re-carpeted on November 14th and 15th. After these areas have been re-carpeted the restaurant will receive new carpeting. The dates for re-carpeting the restaurant have not been finalized at the time of this report. Contractors for this project are Baker Bros Carpeting and Dave Clayton Billiards. (Cost – $44,742)
The Lakeview waterfall pump was serviced including a thorough inspection, lubrication and adjustments. Contractor was Phoenix Pump. (Cost – $800)
Twelve (12) sets of Pool Balls were replaced at LV Lanes with Aramith Super Pro Pool balls in late September 2011. Vendor was CueStix. (Cost – $1,594)
Bell Center / Bell Lanes
Re-paving of the Bell parking lot (South Side) with a rubberized asphalt overlay is now completed. Contractor for this project was Pinnacle Paving. (Cost – $237,000)
Twelve (12) sets of Pool Balls were replaced at Bell Lanes with Aramith Super Pro Pool balls in late September 2011. Vendor was CueStix. (Cost – $1,594)
Sundial Center and East/West, Riverview Pro Shops
The Sundial Monument re-dedication was held October 7, 2011 at 10:00am. Approximately 100 cardholders and guests came out to look over the recently renovated monument and attended this historical event.
The mini golf course at Sundial will receive new artificial turf soon. The turf is currently on order and will be scheduled for replacement as soon as the new product arrives. Contractor is Puckett’s Carpet. (Cost – $22,124)
The Auditorium floor just inside the West Hall entrance received some repairs recently. Contractor was Enmar Wood Floors. (Cost – $850)
The Lakes E/W snack shop patio area has received a new epoxy surface. Several cardholders have already given positive comments about the new patio surface. Contractor was Desert Rose. (Cost – $6,747)
The Lakes E/W Snack Shop will receive new flooring in the dining areas and some much needed painting. Work will commence once asbestos testing is finalized and operations scheduling has been worked out. Contractors will be Puckett’s Flooring and the RCSC Skilled Trades Painter. (Estimated Cost – $5,600)
Skilled Trades Department
The Skilled Trades department completed 151 work orders during the month of September 2011. (Does not include non-work order tasks.)
Grounds/Irrigation Department
The RCSC Grounds & Irrigation Department continues to oversee the newly over-seeded grass areas at the Sun Bowl amphitheatre, ball field and park area along Claire Drive. The crew routinely mowed and watered all RCSC lawn bowling greens, removed / replaced (6-8) trees at Lakeview hillside park and Bell Center and repaired broken irrigation lines. In addition, this team prepared and daily maintained the Lakeview lawn bowl greens for the 2011 PBA (Professional Bowls Association) event held October 7 – 13.