Miniature Golf Proposal...A Time for Concern

500 Signatures for Mini-Golf is Less than 7% of all Homes

Mini-Golf...500 signatures...and with a population of approximately 11,000 residents.... that means less than 5% of "the people" are willing to sign their names on a document to support a project that is expected to cost somewhere near...

$200,000 + ANNUAL MAINTENANCE COSTS

....for what we believe, few people will EVER USE.

Let's place this in perspective.

Not long ago a "Pet Park" was proposed having approximately 200 signatures on a petition...not many less than the supposed 500 that exist for the "mini-golf" project. We believe common sense prevailed in closing a door on a project, as only a very small minority of residents favored it.

We are now faced with another of those "pet projects"...

And FACTS must be FACED....before this goes to a vote !

It has been PROVEN through correspondence with the Activities Department in Sun City Summerlin, our sister community, that such an expensive measure will rarely be used....

...that some have "sold" this idea as something grandchildren will enjoy...

..and.... that its cost WILL NOT INCREASE dues.

And based on the above...it is our strong belief...

The consideration of this expenditure is PURE NONSENSE...and the time has come for those in this community who care about the FUTURE of responsible spending...to step forward...and say....

...NO...

...or be willing to accept continual uncontrolled spending as "the norm" for years to come.

Let us look closely at this simply by considering COMMON SENSE.

First, those of you who actually signed that petition, please...COME FORTH. If you were willing to sign that petition, provide the remainder of the community answers as to why you did.

Tell the rest of us why you really believe it will cost us little or nothing...

...and even more importantly, tell us that it will be used by YOU, and how often you believe others will use it, despite a similar facility in Sun City Summerlin which is rarely used, yet costing residents additional dues to maintain it each year.

Second, grandchildren are in school 9 months of the year, and visits normally occur during the early spring break for ONE WEEK, and during the summer WHEN THE HEAT is UNBEARABLE for outside activities.

REMEMBER, RESIDENTS MUST ACCOMPANY ALL GUESTS, INCLUDING CHILDREN, AT ALL TIMES.

Currently, children are NOT ALLOWED to use Liberty Center facilities, and have only restricted hours to use Anthem Center facilities.

If this mini-golf project was built, to what degree will it affect other Liberty Center facilities...and residents who wish to use them?

In addition, under current rules, if children are banned from the Liberty Center, they would also be banned from using RESTROOM FACILITIES as well.

Would this change, and who will supervise the children using the facilities?

Will a young male child be allowed to use a female restroom if assistance is needed by a grandmother?  

Will a young female child be allowed to use a male restroom if assistance is needed from a grandfather?

Would residents resent that...and/or...should residents be subjected to that?

...or...will a new "free" restroom facility have to be built as part of this project?

Third, this is being partially "sold" on the basis that it will comply with "The American Disabilities Act".  

What is the additional cost that will be borne to comply with that law...and just WHO OF YOU, those of you who are disabled, will play, when and how often you will utilize it?

Fourth, don't be foolish enough to believe that is venture is FREE, that it will not have a bearing on dues, because IT WILL.

It requires landscaping changes...which requires maintenance, replacing lost balls and broken clubs, and regular cleaning, painting, and replacing  astro turf greens which WILL BE DAMAGED by SUN EXPOSURE.

Remember, the Asset Enhancement Fee, from which this will be financed,  is nothing more than a DELAYED ASSESSMENT that EACH AND EVERY HOMEOWNER, WILL PAY, when a home is sold.

It amounts to .33% of the GROSS SALES PRICE of the home BEFORE REAL ESTATE FEES and other costs, and if a home is sold for $300,000,

$990.00 will be stripped from the proceeds....

...for items such as this project.

This project would DRAIN that fund that could be used for more PRACTICAL projects considered in the future.

Yes..we believe this is WASTEFUL...but we also wish to be FAIR...and in order to show just how supportive this entire community is regarding such a project....

We believe that $200,000 + Annual Maintenance Costs...should be placed before a VOTE OF THE MEMBERSHIP, if such a project is approved by the Properties & Grounds Committee for construction.

And in the true spirit of "community" ...

...if the proponents of such a project are so convinced this expenditure represents "the wishes of the people", they too, should have little fear of any vote outcome, and WELCOME SUCH A VOTE.

It is simply...the right thing to do when such a substantial sum of money is being spent, in addition to, how this will affect the surrounding neighborhood, and those who utilize the Liberty Center.

On Saturday, September 28th from 8:00am to 12:00pm, a booth has been set up at the "Fitness Expo" in the Anthem Center Ballroom where people will be stationed to "sell" this concept to all who attend, and likely make attempts to obtain petition signatures.

We urge any person who considers signing that petition to first, ask EACH OF THEM the questions raised in this article, and unless you they can completely convince you that none of these concerns have merit, that you REFRAIN FROM SIGNING IT.

This matter will come before that Properties and Grounds Committee on October 22nd for consideration with a recommendation to the board for either approval or rejection.

We will keep you informed as to the location and time of the meeting.

Anthem Opinions