Given the high level of interest in the Metal Shop project under way now, the Recreation Centers of Sun City West is providing an informational update for members.
The Metal Shop Building Addition Project is the result of a two-year discussion, approved by the Governing Board to resolve easement and safety issues. The project was needed to resolve 20-plus years of club growth and equipment use that had encroached on the adjacent, unapproved easement between the car wash and our existing Metal Shop building. The addition corrects violations by way of relocating the necessary equipment into a newly built, architecturally designed and county-approved location on the Metal Shop premises.
Capital Projects Manager Karl Wilhelm, in cooperation with Metal Shop leadership team, closed the Metal Shop in June 2021 to begin relocation of equipment and demolition of existing structures. That portion of the project was completed in late June.
Preparation of the site for new building components, in accordance with the general contractor’s schedule, began on July 6. Prior to breaking ground, Blue Stake and private utility locating services located the multiple primary electrical feeds, one uncovered outside of the 12-foot APS electrical easement boundary. This primary feed is currently located inconveniently under the future foundation’s footing and requires disconnect by APS, which must provide new design criteria for the primary feed.
An APS project representative provided the new design and specifications clearance on July 22. However, APS has made it clear to Mr. Wilhelm and the general contractor that the APS Planning Department is backlogged six weeks and cannot provide electrical disconnect until the week of Sept. 6-10.
As this delay is out of our hands, the Rec Centers asks residents to be patient as we overcome this delay. We are all eager to move forward and begin the construction project.
Correction to Mr. Karl Wilhelm in his report comment to the Metal Club regarding the closing in June. In all actuality the club was closed to all members effective May 28, 2021. Many of us continued to observe through the summer months that little if any movement regarding construction was underway. Guess we will have to wait now until autumn before anything begins to take shape. Maybe even later now that we are on a “wait-list” from APS. maybe ya’ll will give us a finish/completion date of Valentine’s Day!
Was anxious to watch construction progress but little to nothing was done, Glad to see someone else was wondering where all the workers went, thought maby on Summer Vacation. Glad to see that over the last 2-10 years of planning worked out. I know I had nothing to do with the planning so it looks like I’m just a concerened member wanting to say it was just fine before and if no one says no one cared. Thanks.
When citizens cause problems for APS, they are quick to charge for correcting the issue. It is now up to us citizens to turn the table using their rules and charge them for the delays and soon to be disclosed additional costs due to: 1. APS routing their cables in an unauthorized location “…V locating services located the multiple primary electrical feeds, one uncovered outside of the 12-foot APS electrical easement boundary “, 2. their scheduling adding costs to our organization thru contractor up-charges and loss of use by members.
As an individual member I paid dues for an entire year. Obviously I’ll only get to use the facilities less than half of the year. That’s following a year of covid where the limited use and classes were severly restricted as well.
To say these are “trying times” to do any kind of construction project is truly an understatement. Thanks to all the unpaid volunteers who got this project started and continue work toward a facility we can continue to be proud of. This club was badly needing expansion and cleaning up. I look forward to the opening even if it is a little delayed. Glad to be patient.
I am also amazed at the lack of action it has been closed for 3 and 1 half months and there has been no action I am very disappointed with rec center doing nothing
Hi James. The current delay of the Metal Shop project is unfortunately out of our hands due to the current backlog the APS Planning Department has to deal with. We hope to have the project back in motion when APS is able to disconnect the primary electrical feed inconveniently located under the future foundation’s footing, which they project to get done sometime during the week of Sept. 6-10.
The current non-progress of the Metal Club project is the result of very poor planning by the people that insisted that this was a urgent project. Being a retired Project Manager, it is unimaginable that critical path management wasn’t utilized. It is just one more example of poor management of the current paid management staff of Sun City West.
I understand the delays, though inconvenient, they must be lived with!
The Metal Club problems were caused by a long series of faulty decisions by the Club, Rec Centers Management and members, like my self, too busy or too inattentive and some who were selfishly taking care of themselves! Let’s take our time, get it right and keep it that way!