13 minute read
Association News
From The Board of Directors
Our mission as the SCOV Board is to lead in maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in Sun City Oro Valley as an active adult community.
All Board minutes, agendas and reports are available online and in the SCOV Library. Board meetings are open to residents.
Board of Directors howardschulzscov@gmail.com
Renovation of SCOV Facilities
by Howard Schulz What’s next and how do we fund renovations? When I joined the Board three years ago, we challenged the SCOV General Manager (GM) to bring the Board revenue-generating ideas. This resulted in the Board and community voting on a proposal from Comcast that will translate into revenues of over $1M during the 10-year life of the agreement. In addition, our GM and controller acquired a Paycheck Protection Program Loan (over $600K) which was forgiven during the Covid pandemic. This helped fund the early purchase of the SCOV solar panel system with forecasted electrical cost savings of over $100K per year.
We shouldn’t forget the work of SCOV’s past Board president John Wilson and Mark Wade to leverage the purchasing power of 2,488 homes and negotiate a three-year trash removal contract well below market rates. As a Board and community member, I supported these efforts.
The Board has chosen to direct the Comcast monies into our Capital Fund. I was pleased to see that the community reviewed and approved a plan to renovate the 30-plus-year-old Activity Center ($4.5M) without a homeowner assessment. Many thanks to the tireless efforts of committee members to bring projects forward.
There are other SCOV facilities that will also need improvement considerations as we go forward. Our track record is pretty good. In the past, SCOV has upgraded and renovated a number of facilities, (restaurant, Pro Shop, Desert Oasis, Catalina Vista, bocce ball courts, pickleball courts, Aquatic & Fitness Center (assessment was voted and accepted by community) and others.
Future Boards will be challenged to balance the wants and needs of residents versus the availability of funds for the many requests coming forward. There may not be sufficient funds available to do all the requested projects, and they may not be able to be done as quickly as wanted. Yes, we should continue to evaluate projects to maintain SCOV’s attractiveness to future home buyers, but in a measured and fiscally responsible manner. General Manager - Mark Wade mwade@suncityorovalley.com 520-917-8080
Thank a Staff Member
I want to congratulate the winners of the SCOV Board of Directors election. It is quite an honor to be selected by your community to be their servant leaders. By receiving the requisite votes to represent SCOV as a Board member, this community has demonstrated the belief and trust that this group of residents will lead the community with vision, dignity, respect and integrity.
This is the standard here at SCOV and has been since before I became the General Manager. I’m proud to say that the Board members I’ve served with have the best welfare of the community in mind when they make all their decisions.
This is also a good opportunity for me to brag a little on the staff who I’m privileged to work beside. Over the past two-plus years, this group of hard-working people have been some of the golden threads that are woven into the tapestry of history here at SCOV. During a worldwide pandemic when others were part of the great resignation, these loyal employees came to work to cook your food at the restaurant and serve you (after the restaurant was able to reopen). Some of the servers drove lawn mowers or worked in other ways in other departments to help out. The golf course maintenance team kept working day in and day out. They and the facilities maintenance team arrived before the sun came up and worked hard into the heat of the day.
Our staff was here working, keeping the multimillion dollars worth of assets viable, rather than taking advantage of the temporarily increased unemployment benefits. These employees have a true sense of duty and loyalty to you, the residents. Some worked from home when we closed the Welcome Center. Their hours did not diminish, and they developed many new programs that can be accessed online by our residents to do such things as submit Architectural Review applications. We did not miss a month of this magazine, and routine “This Week In SCOV” communications continued. My entire team adapted to the challenges of the day and came out on top. It is an honor for me and for you to have such dedicated individuals working here at SCOV. If you see them before I do, please tell them thanks for me. Oh, and they would love hearing a thank you from you, too. Join Us for Board of Director and
General Manager Chat with Residents Friday, April 29 9 – 10 AM, WC3
What’s Inside
Association News...........................3 Association Committees ................7 On the Cover .................................9 Golf...............................................10 Coming Events .............................12 Workshops and Classes................12 Memoriam....................................13 Clubs ............................................13 Arts, Crafts & Hobbies..............13 Continuing Education ................17 Cultural & Social........................18 Dance ........................................21 Exercise.....................................24 Games .......................................25 Music .........................................27 Sports ........................................27 Travel.........................................30 Partnered Organizations ..............30 Extended Community ..................31 Volunteer Opportunity.................32 Classifieds.....................................32
It’s More Than Living... It’s A Lifestyle!
What We Love About SCOV
by Marsha Dean
This is a contentious time in most people’s memory, which makes it interesting to take an informal survey of Sun City Oro Valley residents to learn what they like best about living here. Will we be sorry for opportunities. You’ll find first-rate workout equipment at the AFC for your individual routine and personal training, but group class and club exercise are also available. See page 22 for exercise clubs; Association-sponsored classes are asking? Apparently not. “I love living here” was a consistent listed on page 12. response. We couldn’t be Sun City without
Seasonal residents since 2014, golf. The Views Golf Club was just Judy Oliver and Ben Adamo men- named “The Best of the Northwest” tion the mountains, sunrises, sun- for the ninth consecutive time by sets, Bocce Club, SCOV facilities, Explorer newspaper readers. There hiking and the people among the are a number of membership and reasons they love living here. league play opportunities. Visit the
According to Shelley Miesen, golf website www.theviewsgolfclub. after she and her husband Mike com for more information. The catook an Ambassador tour , they sual Chip & Putt league is seasonal, went home and couldn’t wait to fun and concludes with social time at purchase a home in SCOV, re- The Views Restaurant. What’s not ferring to it as an “adult Disney- to love about a course with stunning land.” They have enjoyed getting views at every turn? involved in exercise classes, Pre- The love of creativity at SCOV is pare & Share Club, Billiards and the Wood Shop. Located near the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains, SCOV boasts stunning mountain views. Mountain views and sunsets are both frequently mentioned as favorite things about living in SCOV. Don’t you want to pull up a chair in Judy Oliver and Ben Adamo’s backyard and enjoy the sunset? Judy Oliver photo demonstrated by the large numbers of residents who participate in creative endeavors at the Artisan Center. There’s even a task force looking at options for expansion because many If you don’t have a mountain view from inside your home, of the artisan rooms are at capacity. Prospective homeownjust step outside and enjoy the view from pretty much any- ers are often drawn by the access to a fully-equipped Wood where in the community. Shop, Silversmith & Lapidary Shop, Glass, Clay and even
Sonoran Desert sunrises and sunsets are another feature loved by residents. Frequently, one has to just stop and let the brilliant red and orange hues wash over them. Add the silhouette of a giant saguaro cactus in the foreground, and a sunset becomes a spiritual experience. Visitors and new residents frequently comment about “ There is just so much to do here! We’re busier than ever - and loving life!” Mike and Shelley Miesenhow friendly people here are. New to pickleball? No problem. Club members will teach you to play. Enjoy cooking and getting to know people? Prepare & Share a Sewing Room with a variety of machines for every skill members enjoy creative level. Visit the Gift Shop menus where everyone and you’ll get an idea of contributes part of the meal the fine craftsmanship that and no one has to do all of is created here regularly. the cooking. What do people love
Perhaps you’ve been most about living at meaning to get back into SCOV? The friendships an exercise routine. The they make. Neighbors who Aquatic & Fitness Center care about each other. A (AFC) offers swimming for community in a beautiful individuals as well as Aqua setting with great weathZumba. Fitness Swim and er where there’s always Arthritis Water Clubs offer specialized water workout Bocce and pickleball are frequently mentioned as favorite activities something fun to do. Wel come to your home. -
by Suann Paluska
A thank you to neighbors, friends and many local businesses who have supported this art piece with generous donations. As a result, our goal is within reach. Please show your support and help us go over the top by mid-May.
How did this come about? There was a desire to create a Signature Art Piece that would represent the vitality of Sun City’s active adult community and reflect the experiences and opportunities offered by SCOV that promote growth in its residents. The renovation was an appropriate time to make this happen.
In May 2021, permission was granted; the Activity Center architect designated locations for this proposed project and a team was formed to pursue the idea.
In late summer, a request for proposals was sent out to SCOV and Tucson artisans requesting concept submissions for such an art piece. In this document, it was stipulated that SCOV artisans had to be included in the final design. By November 2021, the submitted concepts were received and then juried by a panel including Julie Sassee, Chief Curator of the Tucson Museum of Art, and David Andress, Director of the Pima Community College Art Gallery. Interviews with and questions for the finalists ensued. The final selection is a team of three artists: Malu Nicolette and Jane McClarren, glass artists, working with Mark Griebel, metalsmith. They will create, for inside the new AC lobby, an 8 feet wide by 6 feet high installation, extending up 13 feet onto surrounding soffits. What is next? By late March, a contract will have been signed, more architectural Concept drawing of art piece and construction interaction will have ensued, a final concept drawing will be available, and the three artists will begin meeting with SCOV artisans to develop the participation phase of the project. Watch for updates in “This Week In SCOV,” the SCOV Facebook page or call 970-389-9397.
Asst. General Manager - Robin Coulter rcoulter@suncityorovalley.com 520-917-8070
You Won! Explorer’s Best of the Northwest Awards
There was a great response to vote for Best of the Northwest 2022, evidenced by the winning outcome. The Views Golf Club took first for Best Golf Course. This is the ninth year in a row for the golf course to win this distinction! We are happy and proud of the team at TVGC! Sun City Oro Valley won Best Active Living Community, and we agree that SCOV is more than living, it’s a lifestyle enjoyed by those who live and play here. In the Food and Beverage categories, The Views Restaurant was reader recommended for Best Live Venue (the terrace, the patio, the mountain views!) and received Honorable Mentions for Restaurant Curbside Pickup, Happy Hour and Oro Valley Restaurant.
It’s nice to share the good news about SCOV, The Views Golf Course and The Views Restaurant with Northwest Tucson. The recognition is well and good, but the real winners are each of you who make this a vibrant, healthy community. Thank you for all you do to make SCOV a wonderful place to live and play.
Program/Facilities Director - Pam Sarpalius psarpalius@suncityorovalley.com 520-917-8077
Hello Spring
We are happy to have an outdoor movie on the driving range on Thursday, April 14. Join us for Belfast, which has been nominated for seven Academy Awards. Look for more information in Coming Events. Many of our seasonal residents have started to leave and we wish them safe travels.
As the reopening of the Activity Center nears, please know that I have been making arrangements for new shows and events starting in January. Some local talent may provide entertainment if the renovation is completed before year-end. Once all is complete, we will be so happy to see the remodel and all that it brings to the community. Community Services - Katy Mosier Architectural Coordinator, Katy Mosier scoroval@ciramail.com 520-917-8058
Making Changes to Your Home
Rule of thumb: If you are thinking of a project that would change the exterior of your home or lot, it will probably need some sort of HOA approval. If you are not sure this is needed, please check with the Architectural Coordinator at scoroval@ciramail.com, and she will verify which kind of approval is necessary and help you through the process if necessary.
With so much remodeling going on, some homeowners feel compelled to make quick decisions in order to secure a vendor and bid. Get HOA approval first before you sign a contract or make a down payment. Practice due diligence in getting references before signing contracts and being very careful about how much money (if any) one should give a contractor up front. Be wise when dealing with salespeople who are pushy or insistent. If you are alone when making a major decision about signing on the dotted line or giving advances to vendors, ask a trusted friend or relative to review the situation with you or assist you at a meeting. Fear of sharing your financial information with someone looking out for you should not stop you from being extra careful when dealing with vendors.
February Housing Resale Information Resales For the Month YTD 2022 16 27 2021 17 26 2021 Total Sold - 208
2022: Active Listings as of 2/28/2022............................1 2021: Active Listings as of 2/28/2021............................5
Source: MLSSAZ®
February 2022 Average Age of New Owners: 66
SUN CITY ORO VALLEY
Money MATTERS
Statement of Revenues and Expenses and the Results of Operations Statement of Revenues & Expenses and the Results of Operations
Revenues: Annual H.O. Fees Capital Contribution Fee Golf Revenues Activities Revenues Restaurant Revenues Interest Income Other Income Gross Revenues
Asset Reserve Capital Fund Contingency Fund Wash Fund Contribution New Capital Acquisitions Restricted Use Revenues Net Operating Revenues
Expenses: Wages & Benefits Cost of Sales Utilities Repair & Maint. Supplies & Expenses Depreciation Total Expenses
Restricted Fund Expenses Net Operating Expenses Results of Operations February
(115,355)$ 570,702$ 206,16$ 6
8 Months 2021-2022
Actual Budget
(920,000)$ 5,378,390$ (4,399)$
Above is a summary of the Revenues and Expenses and the Results of Operations for the first eight months of the 2021-2022 fiscal year. A copy of the report in greater detail can be found on our website www.suncityorovalley.com. Log in after hovering over the Members tab and selecting Financials. At this page you will find the monthly Financial Statements as well as the Annual Budget for the current Fiscal Year and a copy of the Annual Budget for the coming year.
If you are interested in more information regarding the Community’s finances, we encourage you to attend the Finance-Budget Committee meeting which will be held Monday, April 25, 2 PM, in WC3 and via Zoom.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 520-917-8060, or email me at rtrenary@suncityorovalley. com.
Randy Trenary, Controller
