SCW fitness centers, indoor pools, walking track, other indoor venues will be closed effective Tuesday Consistent with Gov. Doug Ducey’s Executive Order announced Monday, the Recreation Centers of Sun City West will be closing its fitness centers, massage and personal training services, along with other indoor recreation venues as of Tuesday, June 30.
Racquetball courts, table tennis room and other indoor sports – including the indoor walking track and indoor pool at Palm Ridge – also will be closed beginning Tuesday. The closures remain in effect until at least July 27, per the order.
Bowling will remain open as social distancing already has been put in place there, with every other lane closed, masks required, and groups limited to no more than three people per lane. Memo’s Restaurant will remain open as appropriate spacing is in order. Chartered clubs that have opened will remain open, with clubs required to keep appropriate social distancing and masks in place. As of now, participation in these clubs has fallen well below that number and that trend is expected to continue with members choosing to stay home.
The Rec Centers encourages all residents to stay home if they are in a high-risk category – which includes those 65 and older and those with pre-existing conditions.
The R.H. Johnson and Palm Ridge outdoor pools will remain open. Signage will be posted reminding people not to congregate in groups of 10 or more. Chairs already have been separated to provide 6-foot distancing, and members are reminded not to move these chairs.
As was previously announced, masks are required in all indoor spaces, including Member Services, the Library, Village Store and pro shops.
Golf courses remain open with social distancing and other precautions already in place. Crooked Putter at Grandview will remain open with its existing social distancing measures in place.
For more information and the latest news about the Rec Centers’ COVID-19 response, please visit suncitywest.com and sign up for enews.
This is the second time this year for closing recreation centers…… adjustments in
Fees should be permitted when paying your next annual fee.
I agree with John. We members should seek legal advice about this. It just doesn’t sit well with me and many others, that we all pay an annual fee and do not receive any compensation, reimbursement, refund or reduction when the benefit of the rec centers is closed to us. I also understand that our annual fee pays for much more than just the rec centers, ie, staffing, maintenance etc. But its also a contract and if a portion of the contract is being denied, then I think there may be a legal justification for action. With all of the various budget funds, residuals, emergency funds etc, that have been created by the SCWRC board, you would think that they could creatively find a way to move money around in order to in good faith compensate its members.
I absolutely concur with John’s sentiment! The name of this community is called as “SCW Recreation Center”.
As the name of this community indicates, “Recreation” includes ALL exercise-related facilities that support wellness of us seniors living here. Our rights to use and enjoy those facilities have been denied for too many weeks, despite the extreme measures that have been employed to protect each other from contracting the COVID-19. I trust that some sort of compensation shall be considered for the duration of the shut-down period.
Will people keep their distance. I constantly see seniors clumping together, not wearing masks in Frys, and at the golf course. In Texas it is a 300 buck fine for not wearing a mask.. Wake up, this is serious stuff. We personally know of people who have died from covid 19.
Agree, The rec centers are not being used therefore the cost to maintain and supervise have dropped dramatically and sure be reflected in next years fees.
I use the Palm Ridge rec center, the indoor walking track and fitness center. Everyone is wearing a mask inside the building. Since this is a airborne flu virus, the masks greatly reduce the spread of this virus. My experience is I was a Respiratory Therapist for 25 years in the health care field. This is a way over the top reaction as everyone is required to wear a mask to enter the building. Don’t punish the seniors for the stupidity of younger people!!!
Is there any record of our Recreation Facilities closing at any time in the past due to influenza or other infectious disease? I understand these are different times but am not enthusiastic about remaining an owner member if this becomes residence for the future. Sun City West becomes just like any other housing project.
presidence not residence
I am interested to know if the recreational facilities have ever been closed due to influenza or other infectious process before. I appreciate that decisions are being made to keep people relatively safe during this crazy time. I am concerned that we may be setting precedence to do this in the future for any other contagious diseases. If that occurs Sun City West will be just another housing project with little to offer owner members.
My husband will only do his swimming laps in Palm Ridge indoor pool. What is wrong if he does laps by himself with his head in the water, and in his lane?? He did not want to go first as the shower rooms were closed and now this. We are very disappointed in this decision for lap lanes to be closed . We go at night and he has been mostly alone in the lap lanes!!
Would there be any exceptions ? He won’t go to Johnson pool. He has some medical issues and needs his laps for exercise. I can go to the outside Pools at Palm Ridge or Johnson.
We have lived in SCW for 11 years.
Grace our numbers are up to 155 cases now in SCW.. Its still out there, we have to make sacrifices..
Michael, if you would, please post where you found this information. I’ve been trying to find a good covid-19 data source for SCW, Do you know the number of new cases by date and also the number of covid related deaths in SCW ?
Regards,
Robert
To SCWRC Governing Board and General Manager,
According to the current ADHS-Data Dashboard, the number of covid-19 cases has been falling considerably state wide since June 22nd. This seems to contradict Governor Ducey’s executive order 2020-43 to pause Arizona’s Reopening. In the order , Whereas, as of June 28th…..it states that “the State is seeing an increase in the number of cases and hospitalizations” . Also in the order, it states, Whereas, “data has shown that community spread continues to grow at an exponential pace….”
Where did the Governor get his data? Did the SCWRC board and manager raise this question? or did you all just blindly play follow the leader.
Now that you have shut down our gym, table tennis, racket ball and other indoor activities etc, Where are we going to get our exercise? Our recreation centers were already practicing extreme social distancing measures. It’s been proven that staying confined at home is just as unhealthy if not more. Please reverse your decision and give us our gym and other activities back. So, that we can maintain our health.
Us seniors are always told to do daily cardio and strengthening exercise by our doctors. In fact, my cardiologist yesterday ordered me to continue to do a more aggressive exercise regiment to strengthen my muscles which also helps reduce my cholesterol levels.
The majority of seniors in this community depend on the recreation centers along with indoor gym facilities for the above reasons. The last state wide shutdown was devastating to not only our overall physical health, but our emotional health as well.
Please reconsider and give us our gym back. You are killing us seniors faster than the virus by shutting down our major source of health and happiness. Or maybe that’s been the plan all along. The more people die in this community, more homes are sold and more preservation fees fall into the money pot.
Respectfully,
Robert Beckham
Suggest you have a look at the Crooked Putter operation. Yesterday I observed a number of customers entering and leaving the inside restaurant without masks although there is a large sign on the door requiring same. Everyone handled the same door handle; no gloves, no sanitizing observed.There is a drink window available and up to 4 customers were crowded around, shoulder to shoulder, without masks, waiting to order.
Just saying………..
SCW, Thank you for putting new measures in place to help keep this virus out of our community. It is disappointing after we have been open and active for a bit now, and now seems like we are going backwards rather than progressing; however, our family appreciates all that you are doing to keep us safe. We are just as frustrated with the turn of events and increase in the virus in AZ rather than the decrease and progress towards wellness. However, we also know the facts of what is being reported and the numbers of cases in our state. Yes, we are all being careful, distancing, wearing masks, etc. And yes, we all need exercise as seniors. We would rather know that in the near future we will be able to use all of our facilities in a healthy manner because we have taken the precautions. Its disappointing yes, but how do you know if your neighbor that has used the treadmill before you has been shopping, eating out, wiped down the equipment, taken the precautions necessary to keep the virus at bay in SCW? Is Fry’s and other facilities closed to those outside of our community??? These are scary times and supporting our community at this time is as important as supporting each other in our practices. Thank you SCW.
Agree 101% Robert. Let adults make the best decisions for themselves. We need our daily exercise!
I am stunned at the remarks by some SCW residents. We are in an unprecedented health emergency in every community in the U.S. The measures taken by the governing board in SCW to protect all citizens is to be commended. We can all walk outside, lift weights at home, exercise at home, do yoga at home, play golf, etc. I am more than happy to pay my dues to maintain the many amazing facilities available to residents. I do not ask for a reduced fee as a half year resident. Stay healthy, wear a mask, and do your part.