Sun City West residents, golfers and guests need to be aware of a new policy approved by the Governing Board for implementation July 1.
The Recreation Centers of Sun City West will be implementing a new guest policy and ID photo requirements at all check-in stations. This includes the four recreation centers, the seven golf courses, Sports Pavilion and library.
Approved by the Governing Board on June 5, the new policy will require all guests to be accompanied by the owner of the recreation card being used to sign in. Additionally, any owner presenting a card with an outdated photo, or missing a photo in the computer system, will be given one week to obtain an updated photo before the card is deactivated. Any annual golf cards purchased by the member will be deactivated at the same time; there will be no refunds or pro-rating of these cards while they are deactivated. It is the golfers’ responsibility to obtain an updated rec card within one week to prevent loss of these privileges.
The Board decided to update its policy to protect members’ investment in the community. The Association has seen an uptick in the number of outsiders becoming aware of Sun City West’s many amenities and attempting to use them without being legitimate members or guests. Members pay an annual fee to belong to the Rec Centers, and the amenities are reserved for use by them and their guests. Golf and bowling allow outside participation at a public rate, but the recreation centers and library are not open to the public.
Only Owners, Associates and Tenants may bring guests. In the past, guests could bring the member’s card to sign in. This will not be allowed starting July 1. Cardholders needing a medical or caregiver waiver may call Membership at 623-544-6100 for information about requirements to obtain such a waiver.
Recreation Cardholders must be in good standing to enter a facility or bring a guest. Cardholders are only required to be with the guest during the initial sign-in process each day. With the exception of the library, they are not required to stay for the duration of the guest’s visit unless the guest is under 16. Upon initial check-in and payment for the guests, the owner will be given a receipt, which the guests can then use for reentry to that facility or any other RCSCW facility, for that day only. Guests at the library must always be accompanied by a member, with the exception of paid services such as Virtual Reality and the Data Resource Center.
Cardholders who present an outdated photo will be notified by staff that they must obtain a new photo and a new rec card from Member Services. The outdated card will be logged, and the member will be given one week to visit Member Services to obtain their new card. There will be no charge for the updated photo and card, provided the member turns in his/her old card.
Outdated cards will be deactivated after one week, and members will not be able to use those cards to enter facilities or play golf at resident rates. This includes deactivation of any golf cards purchased by the member using the outdated card.
How do we get this new guest Rec card policy changed? Owners should not be required to babysit their guests.
Hello JR. The Governing Board had been discussing this policy change at several public forums prior to it being approved. Residents are more than welcome to continue discussing this new policy with the Governing Board by sending an email to gb@suncitywest.com or by visiting the Governing Board President during his open office hours on Mondays from 9 to 11 a.m.
What is the definition of an outdated photo?
Thank you
Hi Gary. A photo is considered outdated if it is older than five years or if the cardholder looks considerably different from the photo being presented.
Our son in-law will be house sitting and caring for our dog while we are gone. We cannot be in attendance each time. It seems unfair that he cannot enjoy facilities while we are gone. He is a responsible person of 60 years.
I agree do not like to babysit my guests. Son likes to go to the rec center at 6 AM. So I have to get up to go with that is ridiculois.
Totally agree – This not fair – You could pay for a guest to get a photo ID – They could go on there own the ???????
Thank you for developing a solution and quickly implementing this policy!
Thank you, it’s about time!
Also, about time! I know of a few people cheating for “years” for several of amenities here. Made me so disappointed but they would not listen to me. Wanted badly to turn them in, but you know, then some people do a revenge!
I understand this new policy has a lot to do with rentals in Sun City West. I personally feel the members who use their rec card by the policy are being penalized for the deeds of those who are not using them correctly. I was so happy the day we did not have to accompany our guests to check in. What a great convenience. Now that is being taken away because of the negligence of some.
I totally agree. Feels like rule followers are being punished
I was so happy the day we did
not have to accompany our guests to check in.
What a great convenience.
Now that is
being taken away because of the negligence
of some.
I DON’T WANT TO TAKE GUESTS BY THE HAND AND SIGN THEM IN! PLEASE SOLVE!
What is considered an “outdated photo”?
Hi Mary. A photo is considered outdated if it is older than five years or if the cardholder looks considerably different from the photo being presented.
Thank you
It’s been well over due , Glad the board has some ball’s now.
Donna, I was also very happy when our grandchildren (in their 20’s) could go down to a pool on their own without us. But the issue isn’t members who use their rec cards incorrectly. This isn’t negligence, it’s business. Long term rentals of properties (snowbirds and so on) can include a renter’s card if the member applies for it. So that’s not the issue.
VRBO, a vacation rental website, lists 50 properties in Sun City West as short term rentals. Those owners may be including access to our facilities as a part of the rental, and that’s not right. So, the Board and Rec Center management have come up with this solution after a lot of discussion.
Think of it this way: you spend more time with your guests when they visit a pool, go bowling or play golf. That’s not all bad.
How do I know if my picture is “outdated” and I need to get a new card?
Hi Kathy. Your photo would be considered outdated if it is older than five years or if you look considerably different from the photo being presented.
Thank you for this change. It will help reduce the abuse of guest privlileges.
Will our fobs still be accepted at check-in, or do we need our original rec card with our photo on it?
Hi Sheri. Your fobs will still be accepted at check-in but if there is no photo on your fob, please visit Membership as they can provide a new one with a photo on it.
How do you determine if a photo is outdated? Is this subject to the person checking you in, interpretation?
Hi Dennis. A photo is considered outdated if it is older than five years or if the cardholder looks considerably different from the photo being presented.
I like the new rule. You don’t invite guests for dinner if you’re not going to be home.
Wonderful rule and I hope we stick to it. Just this last Sunday when I was at Palm Ridge pool, a guy from Gilbert was looking our facilities over saying he’s retiring in eight months. He actually asked me if I could get him into the pool and I refused as my guest passes are for my grandchildren. He walked into the desk and the monitor let him in – he didn’t even have a swim suit so went in his see-through nylon shorts. He also mentioned that he got into Johnson pool the day before.
And our facilities are being very abused by renters. I live in an HOA and see this often.
If everyone has to show an I’d with the rec card, you would know if they were guests. If the kids don’t match, they pay as a guest. That’s easier than having to accompany your guest. We live here and we’re the ones that are being put out. IDs would solve it much easier.
I think this should be put to a vote of all residences. I feel as long as my guests can get in with my card and pay the guest fee, they should be allowed to enter the facilities.
One would hope (expect) that with our annual renewal notice / statement that there be a note would be included stating that the rec. card needs to be updated. Question: Other than going to a facility is there a way to determine if your rec. card is out of date? (like a date of issue?) I also suspect you will be having a very strong demand for new cards. You can expect a circus like atmosphere; to bad this could not have been rolled out over a longer period. (6 months is not unreasonable.) Just my thoughts
I’m confused, when guests arrive at the monitor station with an owner’s rec card, aren’t they being charged a guest fee when the photo doesn’t match? So having photos on all accepted rec cards makes sense. What is the additional benefit of having the member present?
If I accompany a guest to the pool and show id do I have to stay there with them. I don.t particularly like to stay out in the sun!
Hi Carol. You are only required to be with your guest when they are getting signed in. You do not have to stay with them for their entire visit.
Is everybody out there realize that the property owner has to pay the full rec fees for a rental property and the tenant also has to pay the same amount? We live in SCW and at one time had a rental property (not by choice). We had to pay the full rec fees for two properties, and, the tenants had to pay full rec fees also.
This is not fair and should be changed.
I agree that this is not fair. Since the tenant also pays the rec fee, the association is double dipping. We had to sign over and/or surrender our rec cards so we lost the ability to use them. Then the tenant could use them, but still had to pay. When owning two properties and paying for four memberships, four people should have the right to use the amenities. Also, if the owner isn’t using their card, then a guest should be able to use it. It seems that the computer system could determine that card is being used in a similar way to a security system with a card that must be used for entering and exiting. Please put an end to the double dipping! Thanks for listening.
I believe I understand the rationale behind the policy change. What concerns me is that my guests can’t enter a facility without using my membership FOB. Thus, you can track which members have significant guest use. Why not attempt to limit suspected abuse by looking at an average number of guest uses and institute a policy limiting guest use to X number of times. If guest use is to exceed X number of times then institute the policy of accompanying your guests for those members. For those residents who have adult children who come to visit this recent change makes visiting less convenient and candidly makes ownership a bit less valuable. It appears the abuse of the guest policy is part of the driving force here. I would strongly urge the Board to consider suggestions and amend the policy to allow for some limits on guest use without the accompanying member. I appreciate the ability to share my two cents.
How does one knows when their photo was taken ?
I am an avid user of the Johnson Small Dog Park. The Park closed on April 22 for renovation. We were informed the project would take 2 months. It is now June 29 and the wall still isn’t done. What is the delay? I noticed in the Board meeting minutes in late June that the wall and gates were in process. Please give the members of the Sunshine Animal Club a better idea of when the project is expected to be done. The weather is getting too hot to walk dogs on sidewalks. Thank you
Hi Janet. Our apologies for any inconvenience the length of this project may have caused. The completion date for this project is now July 29. That date allows enough time for the completion of the sidewalk outside the dog park and the installation of the new grass inside the dog park.
what is the process for obtaining a tenant card for a renter?
Due to medical reasons we have not been to our SCW home since June 2018 and will not be returning until Jan 7, 2020. Therefore, we do not yet have our new digitized member cards. Additionally, we are expeting 2 adult guests during a time before we arrive in January.
(1) What are we required to do when we do arrive in SCW regarding outr membership cards?
(2) How do we deal with securing our 2 adult guests with “guest cards” when we will not be there?
(3) Do we remotely deposit funds to pay for guest cards?
Thanks,
Hi Art. We suggest that you give our Member Service office a call at 623-544-6100 as they can properly answer the questions you have.
Guest: Does this include attending dances at the various rec centers?
Having to go with my daughter at 6 am to the gym is a pain……… yes I can do it however other organizations and companies have programs where you can add additional names to my card and when they use it must show ID to verify who they are. I do. It see why Sun City West could not do that. It that means a computer upgrade or buying an additional program so be it. To me it solves all the issues concerning a rec card.
SCW residents out of town, could give their card to locals, (kids & adults) who then pass the card to their friends. That is the abuse. If I have visitors, I’m going to be with them at the facilities and the new rule says the resident only needs to be there to sign in, not stay with the guest.
I like the new rule, but Elaine Nystrom’s idea has merit. You would need a computer program upgrade for this at each facility.
I have come to SCW for about 10 years to spend time with my mom. I am in my 60’s and have always respected the time I am able to have at the rec centre. In preparing for my trip, I have become aware of this policy change and it makes me very disappointed. I can’t make my 87 year old mother get up every day to take me to the centre. I know there’s a medical waiver, but pride won’t allow her to apply. My doctor has told me I must exercise at least 4 times per week so now I am rethinking what I should do. Are there any other options? What do renters do? Is there a one or two month pass that can be bought? How much is an associate member fee, if that’s even an option? I’ve looked for these answers but can’t find them. Thanks.
Sun City In Palm Desert California has the guest of a resident or the renter of a Sun City house pay a fee,have their picture taken and are issued an identification card good for a specific time period. Card is presented at all required facilities before entry. Closely monitored. No problem with unauthorized use.