Why the Lakeview remodel will be so important

And you are positive? What about our government?

 

Far be it for me to know more than the RCSC Directors who have studied this to death, but here is a suggestion:
Prioritize the needs of the majority of the MV area residents first considering the usage data for the current amenities. Don't belabor that the data isn't always 100% accurate. Take what you have.

Now let's talk about the existing auditorium/multipurpose room/indoor dog training facility. You have to make a decision about whether to make it an auditorium and possibly use retractable seating. I have been told it would need a wood floor like at Sun Dial if it will be used for dancing and exercise classes. Is that possible with retractable seating? Would you be able to put down some sort of temporary overlay if it is used for an indoor dog training facility during the summer? I am thinking this could save RCSC a great deal of money, its use would be available for several purposes, and the dog training club would only have to move their equipment twice, once at the beginning of hot weather and again in the fall when they can use the outdoor facility at Fairway. This may increase the usage data for that flat floor space. Would this be a win/win/win? I don't know. The decision is in your court. I suspect you will be damned no matter what you choose to do. Regardless I am supportive of your efforts and attention to this matter and all others that come before you. If I'm not, you will probably hear my concerns but you were elected to make the decisions. Not an easy position to be in but I know you take it seriously.

 

John, your efforts alone are applauded. Even if this board incorporates most or some of what you have been doing, please know I think you firmly got their attention for all of your work.
I think everything you've tried to do on your own, will produce in some way some action and direction for our fiscal future here. I feel more positive today about the direction we are going because of folks like you addressing serious concerns on community planning.

 

It was my understanding the proposal for a dog training facility was to be studied. Did an actual facility get approved?
Would I need to craft a motion to go before the board and rescind such a proposal and the exorbitant costs? Can this request be brought before a regular board meeting?
Thank you for the information.

 

SCG - The Board approved the expenditure of $1.5M to build an indoor dog facility and it is listed on the PIF schedule as funding previously approved by the board. John

 

This RCSC dog clubs “make it better for pet owners here in Sun City,” and our residents.

There are two sanctioned RCSC dog clubs.
Best Friends Dog Club - $10 member fee
Duffeeland Dog Park Club - $5 member fee

Specifically, Best Friends Dog Club benefits dog owner members and the entire Sun City community by providing better socialized dogs, and more responsible dog owners. It is also a social club focused on providing a positive, courteous, dog friendly environment for RCSC members in good standing. The club is dedicated to education, training, sport competitions and fun activities for both dog owners and dogs.

The Mission of the Best Friends Dog Club is to provide for the needs of dogs and dog owners of Sun City including:
•Training: Obedience & Behavior, Sport, Therapy and Scentwork
• Social Events with and without their dogs.
• Health & Nutrition Information
• Lost or Found Dog Alerts
• Product Recalls
• Dog food & treat donations to Banner Olive Branch Senior Center

• How RCSC Articles of Incorporation qualifies BFDC:
Article III
The general nature of the business in which the Corporation is engaged is as follows:

To do anything and everything lawfully necessary in the interest of the Members of the Corporation, including, without limitation, the following:

1. To establish and conduct a general social, cultural, recreational and amusement enterprise for the benefit of its Members …(long list of examples)

2. To coordinate, implement, and aid the various recreational and social clubs which are now or which may become duly recognized as such by this Corporation.

3. To promote cooperation in all matters of interest and benefit to the residents and/or homeowners of the area within the bounds set out in Article I, who become and remain Members of this Corporation.


BFDC TRAINING CLASSES OFFERED
OBEDIENCE AND BEHAVIOR
Puppy Class (3 to 8 Months)
Manners 1: Essential Obedience and Companion Skills
Manners 2: Mastering Obedience in the Real World
Manners 3: Canine Good Citizen Advanced Obedience and Community Manners
Out and About
Impulse Control: Calm & Collected Canine
Positive Encounters: Socialization for Confidence

RALLY CLASSES
Beginning Rally
Intermediate Rally
Advanced Rally

AGILITY CLASSES
Agility Fundamentals
Beginning Agility
Advanced Agility
Intermediate Agility

SCENTWORK CLASSES
Beginning Scentwork – The Nose Knows
Intermediate Scentwork
Advanced Scentwork

THERAPY AND TRICKS CLASSES
Therapy Dog Test Preparation
Trick Time: Fun Training for a Happy, Healthy Dog

For details of each course: https://storage.googleapis.com/wzukusers/user-32467980/documents/28198fac62bf4792851836f2c7d76efe/2024 Oct to Dec Class Descriptions.pdf

 

I guess you have no response to what I posted based on your plan we can understand.

John, I spent over thirty years in a corporate environment where I experienced different alliterations this idea. When presented a Five Year Plan for the company during a branch office meeting, the VP who was the branch manger at the time asked for comments. I responded that the Russians had a Five Year Plan and how did that work out for them? After the laugher died down, the VP mused that I was probably correct. The plan was abandoned after two years. The VP gave me a nickname which stuck for the next twenty years, Cassandra.

 

eyesopen,
I understand the request as I have read the issue several times. I still cannot condone an indoor dog arena and with such an excessive cost. I am an avid animal advocate and miss my beagles greatly. We had our cat for 20 years. I understand the deep love and affection for pets. I just don’t want any more money spent on space that for the most part would sit vacant until a dog club event was scheduled. This space still takes regular maintenance, air conditioning, heating, water and the like at an additional cost to the members. Is this facility going to be open at any time for the general use of the RCSC members or to a particular club only? As I understand this is a $1.5 million dollar project for a specific club to use as a designated space. Sorry, but I can’t accept this as an expenditure the membership should have to support.

Thank you for the clarification again John. I know what amenities a $1.5 million dollar budget could support for the entire community. Ice cream social, free entertainment for the entire membership, some of the shows and other offereings that have gove by the wayside could be offered to the entire membership for a few years to come with that kind of money. The very idea that this kind of costs would be condoned and spent for a single, closed facility for the use of a single club is beyond my comprehension. Guess I might just need to attend this annual meeting afterall, just to have access to an open microphone and a sitting board.

 

Per PIF 10-Year Forecast & Board Minutes
Funding Previously Approved by Board
Best Friends Dog Club
2025- $500,000 2026 $1,000,00
Now, look at the golf expenses for just maintenance buildings, golf cart building and other golf buildings!
https://suncityaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/10-Year-PIF-Forecast.pdf

RECREATION CENTERS OF SUN CITY, INC.
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
February 29, 2024
New Business
4. Director Collins – I move to fund the PIF Project for the Best Friends Dog Club
(BFDC) building with an amount of $1.5 million.
Prior to the vote Director Fast moved to table the motion, seconded by Director Rough.
Director Rough then pulled his second of Director Fast’s motion to table and proposed a
motion to postpone the motion till the next meeting. Director Fast then pulled his
motion to table and seconded Director Rough’s motion to postpone the motion. The
vote was taken, and the motion to postpone failed 3 to 6 with Director Fast, Director
Rough and Secretary Totten in favor.
After lengthy discussion, Director Collins called the question, and Director Kise
seconded the motion to call. The vote was taken, and the motion passed 5 to 4 with Vice
President McAdam, Director Rough, Director Fast and Secretary Totten opposed.
https://suncityaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024_2_29-Board-Meeting-Minutes-Final.pdf

RECREATION CENTERS OF SUN CITY, INC.
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
March 28, 2024
Motion Second Reading
Director Collins – I move to fund the PIF Project for the Best Friends Dog Club
(BFDC) building with an amount of $1.5 million.
After discussion, the vote was taken, and the motion passed its second reading 7 to 2
with Vice President McAdam and Director Rough opposed.
https://suncityaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024_3_28-Board-Meeting-Minutes.pdf

 

Those are required expenses to be borne by the RCSC. I cannot and will not accept this expense as necessary for the benefit of ALL members. The yearly expense will be great and could have an impact on the yearly assessment costs. As far as I am concerned, there is no further discussion necessary on my part. Unless someone can show this expense supports ALL pet owners in Sun City in a way that any member can benefit from it, I cannot support this project.

 

Last reply, SCG, we’ve been off topic too long.
Sorry folks.

Don’t all RCSC members/owners in Sun
City benefit from every golf course, facility & amenity?
If they don’t use them, their availability still increases the value and desirability of our community.

All RCSC members are welcome to join Best Friends Dog Club.
Among the Requirements:
• Sun City resident.
• Must show current recreation card for each member.
• You do not have to have a dog to become a member of the club.

https://bestfriendsdogclub.com/join-the-club/

 

Last comment on this subject from me. Why do I have to join a club to use a facility that should be free since the membership will have to pay for it on an ongoing basis? Why should I, as a member, be stuck paying for something I don’t need or want? The golf courses and rec centers were here when we purchased, so it was a given it would be a cost to the homeowner to pay for it.
A closed club, open for members only, at the cost of $1.5 million dollars, is not something I support, not now or in the future. Tell me a dog facility open year round for the benefit of pet owners use as a member benefit, usable anytime, then I may give it some consideration.

 

You do not accept this? Is your vote the only one that matters? Kat Fimmel was the big supporter of the indoor dog club. Here are two statements from you prior to her election:

So don't forget, vote for Kat Fimmel for the board, she is the ray of hope desperately needed.
SunCityGal, Oct 5, 2020

Please, vote for Kat Fimmel in the RSCS elections. She has the knowledge, skill and the abilities needed to help move the BOD onto bigger and better things. She is soft spoken, but extremely knowledgeable and aware of what this community needs.
So, remember to vote in the RCSC elections, and make Kat Fimmel your number one choice.
Go Kat!
Carole M October 6 2020

Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for. I don't care one way or the other right now. My dogs are old.

 

Why do we have to pay to bowl? Most have their own shoes and balls. Do we pay for billiards? There is no fee schedule for activities that charge. Do we pay a fee to belong to craft clubs?

 

And how often do you use Mountain View, Janet?

 

No, all members don't benefit by golf, like me.

Your "pet project syndrome " is showing.

 

Not often. I haven't been at MV since arriving in December. I love the pool but I don't live close to MV. Lakeview, Sun Dial, Bell, Oakmont, and Fairway are all closer and have the amenities I use. Why do you ask, Jean?

 

Dogs are beloved pets, not human beings. Your going to consider spending a million dollars for a place where pets can run and do tricks? Seriously?? How about furthering the needs, health and well being of residents. You already have your clubs for dogs, you can simply continue and enjoy your club, but don't make residents have to pay for a stadium building. You guys have gone too far. If you have to have a dog park, maybe build a large tented and open place ( maybe near ball field) and use that place as a space for dog events. ) With all the serious fiscal concerns, places for dogs to play cannot take presedense at this time. Sorry.

 

Eileen, thank you for your refreshing voice as to a costly boondoggle that will cost the members for years to come.
As a side note, I had asked several years ago if I could have my uid of CMartinez restored. No reply ever came, so I continued to use suncitygal. Imagine my surprise when I finished a post and noticed my uid was back. This was an action done by an administrator, at my request. The fact that it happened after all this time is a wonderful surprise to me and I am grateful for the support. So same person, old uid. Who knew after all this time I would be restored.

 

Did you read Janet's suggestion for an indoor dog space? Many seniors have dogs that play a huge role in their mental and physical well-being. Just a few minutes of a dog walking on concrete in 115 degree weather will make their pads bleed. BFDC had 70 new people join last summer because they had an indoor space for training. 70 seniors who were able to get out and socialize who may not have otherwise. Here is Janet's suggestion (above) for an alternative:

Now let's talk about the existing auditorium/multipurpose room/indoor dog training facility. You have to make a decision about whether to make it an auditorium and possibly use retractable seating. I have been told it would need a wood floor like at Sun Dial if it will be used for dancing and exercise classes. Is that possible with retractable seating? Would you be able to put down some sort of temporary overlay if it is used for an indoor dog training facility during the summer? I am thinking this could save RCSC a great deal of money, its use would be available for several purposes, and the dog training club would only have to move their equipment twice, once at the beginning of hot weather and again in the fall when they can use the outdoor facility at Fairway.

The actor and comedian Bill Murray once said that he is suspicious of people who don't like dogs, but he always trusts a dog when it doesn't like a person. I agree with him.