by Jim Wellman
General Centers Projects and Information
- The card access equipment for the Fairway installation has arrived. Meetings are being scheduled with dedicated clubs at Fairway to discuss the new systems and their room access needs and concerns. Once these discussions are completed and the software installed on the RCSC server, the installation of equipment will commence. This is expected to take place in early April 2014. The East entry door will also be addressed at that time and cardholders wishing to use that entrance will be notified about how to obtain their access clearance. Contractor is Multi Card Company. (Phase 1 Cost – $52,000)
Mt. View Center
- Concrete was poured for the (7) new pickleball courts at Mt. View on Tuesday March 18, 2014. Prior to the concrete pour, additional work had to be done to remove (5) large building footings buried years ago, replace electrical feeds to the Mt. View sign and flagpole light that was wired underground with romex wire, upgrade the fencing to accommodate wind loading for wind screens and install a trench drain to properly drain the existing tennis courts and the south side of the new pickleball courts. The cost of this additional work is reflected in the adjusted cost below. Please remember now that the post tensioned concrete is poured, there is a 28 day waiting period for the concrete to cure before the final colored top coatings can be applied. In the meantime, the contractor will be setting up the court lighting, pouring the small gathering area and doing some fencing work. The two tennis courts at Mt. View will remain open for tennis play and pickleball players are asked to use the Marinette Center courts during this construction. Contractors are Sunland Sports and CCBG Architectural. (Cost – $288,580)
- Recently a plugged sewer line was discovered at the restrooms by the Lawn Bowling green. This sewer line was damaged during the installation of one of the solar carport posts. The contractor for the solar project was notified and the line was repaired at no cost to the RCSC.
Oakmont Center
- The Oakmont pool, spa and equipment room project continues to progress well. The pool structural steel has been installed and the shot-crete work is expected to be complete this week. The footings and stem walls for the equipment room addition are completed and the concrete floor is about ready to be poured. During this work it was discovered that the north canopy wall has internal damage and structural issues. The fire system piping, which runs through this area is also a concern to the Sun City Fire Department. It was also determined that the footing on the South block wall was not structurally sound. Due to these conditions, the RCSC has decided to remove this north canopy wall and install a block and steel wall in its place. The South block wall will also be removed and a new block wall constructed. Due to this additional work the adjusted cost for this project is shown below. Contractors to date include CCBG Architectural, K.L. McIntyre Construction and Aquatic Builders. (Cost – $620,855)
Lakeview Center
- Construction of the upper and lower ramps for the east (red) entrance at Lakeview Center is completed and the ramps are expected to open for use sometime after the final inspection on Tuesday March 25, 2014. The improved ramps are expected to benefit cardholders and their guests by having a more gradual slope making access to the Lakeview facility much easier.
- Cardholders and guests will also enjoy the new bicycle parking area equipped with bike security loops. Contractor is Ken McIntyre Construction. (Cost – $120,975)
- The Lakeview patio, located off the East side of the social halls is being resurfaced with an epoxy coating resembling flagstone. The resurfaced patio will provide a much nicer area for social gatherings such as the Mother’s Day Brunch to be held May 11. Contractor is Desert Rose. (Cost – $9,502)
- Irrigation replacement on the Lakeview Hillside Park (Mountain) will commence April 15, 2014. The park will be closed to all cardholders and guests (including fishing) for about 6 weeks. The irrigation improvements will ensure that water reaches all plants and trees in the park thus making this setting more beautiful than it already is. Contractors are AAA Landscaping and Marvin Mills Irrigation. (Cost – $100,000)
Riverview Pro Shop
- A new standing seam metal roof is being installed on the Riverview cart barn. The new roof will match the one put on the pro shop last year. Contractor is Starkweather Roofing. (Cost – $12,198)
Bell Center
- Architectural drawings are now submitted to Maricopa County Planning and Development for the new Bell tennis project. Bid packets are being sent out to contractors and proposals are expected back in about 3 weeks. Once received, the project will be submitted to the RCSC bid commission for final approval. The project includes demolition of the current (8) tennis courts and pushing out some of the existing block walls in preparation for (10) new tennis courts. The new updated complex will also include a shaded gathering area, courtside canopies with benches, water and electric to each court, tables and benches for spectators and planters in the common areas. Contractor to date is Lloyd Sports Engineering.
- The replacement of (7) monument signs and installation of (2) additional monument signs is now completed. The new backlit signs are positioned around the center in front of each activity area. Contractor was Tag Team Signs. (Cost – $39,710)
- Two new shade sails will be installed in April at the Bell Lawn Bowl facility. The labor and materials cost for these shade sails has been generously donated to the RCSC. Contractor is Sun City Awning. (Cost – $9,057)
- Final preparations are underway for the re-opening of the Bell Lawn Bowl greens on Monday April 14, 2014. The new greens were constructed using Tiff Dwarf Bermuda grass and are expected to offer many years of Lawn Bowling enjoyment to cardholders and their guests.
Marinette Center
- The Marinette expansion project plans have been returned to Maricopa County Planning and Development Department with the required changes and corrections and we are waiting to hear back from them. The building plans have also been sent out for Contractor proposals. Once the proposals are returned, in about three weeks, the project will be submitted to the RCSC bid commission for final approval. Contractor to date is CCBG Architectural.
- On Monday March 10, 2014 the Marinette China Painters were relocated to Fairway Center and merged with the Fairway China Painters. The china painting clubs were very cooperative and a pleasure to work with, resulting in a very smooth transition.
Sun Bowl Ballfield
- A new roof will be installed soon on the Ballfield restroom building. The new roof will replace the current one which is leaking and not properly vented. Contractor is Starkweather Roofing. (Cost – $3,458)
Skilled Trades Department
- The RCSC Skilled Trades department completed 97 work orders during the last half of February and the first half of March 2014. This total does not include other routine and specialized work completed outside of the work order system.
Grounds Department
- The RCSC Grounds team has been working very hard to keep all Sun City properties looking spectacular. Even while short-handed they still managed to cut all grass at centers locations, cut and maintain the Sun Bowl Ballfield and Amphitheatre, mow, clean and roll the Lawn Bowling greens, kill off and haul away dead grass and weeds from the Sun Bowl retention area, prune and trim bushes and trees at various locations, perform a full day of clean up and maintenance at Duffeeland Dog Park and repair irrigation problems.