Miniature
Golf...A Decision that Should be Made....by..."The
People"
That's right...a decision that should
be entrusted to "the people"...those who reside here
and will bear its cost.
...not by blog owners or the comments
of their selected readership.
We wholeheartedly believe that any such
project would subject senior citizens to the dangers of desert temperatures, as
well as, a needless drain of precious community
resources.
A recent "slanted" article published by the blogger advocate shows
a number of locations across the country with such venues available in their
communities, but as per a comment made on that
publication...
...an observation
we at Anthem Opinions made of the Sun City Summerlin miniature golf course over
a year ago after examining the same photos provided by the blogger
advocate....and then traveling to the Summerlin course to examine it for
ourselves...
....provided us
conclusive proof...
NO ONE WAS PLAYING IN
ANY OF THE PHOTOS !
Nonetheless that obvious fact has
never swayed an obsession by that individual, and we certainly don't believe it
will stop any time soon....
...but his opinions, and that of some
of his supporters... are but a mere few in our
community, though he would have you believe
otherwise.
Unlike that publication, we at Anthem Opinions, do not consider ourselves the "voice" of the people.
We instead look at
our publication as their "common sense" and
"financially responsible" element who advise readers
of the entire facts...
...allowing the
people to make a proper decision for
themselves.
Do we believe this possible miniature
golf project is a wise and effective usage of precious association
funds?
NO...we do
not, and we have stated our valid reasons for believing that to be the
case.
Unlike the advocate, we won't bore you
with rehashing the past, but simply stated:
1. The costs
are considerably higher than has been proposed due to the omission of various
elements of the construction project that would be born aside from the actual
building of the project.
2. People
will not use this venue here in any regularity, when it has been proven that
other locations across the country do not use theirs frequently.
The blogger's using a potential 225
people as "charter members" of a club (a number of which are part of the same
household) to dramatize support...
... is an invalid
assumption on which to base any such
conclusion.
If we assume that half of those
individuals belong to the same household, that number represents 1.5% of the homes in the association, a ridiculously small
percentage of participation when looking at a TOTAL inclusive expenditure of
approximately $200,000.
3. The
potential of legal liability is present, and unless it can be proven IN WRITING by the respective insurers that this risk will neither affect other community liability coverage,
nor substantially increase its cost, any claim made
to the contrary is merely "hearsay" without
validity.
4.
Comparable miniature golf courses are available within short distances that
provide 18 holes with INDOOR comfort and greater entertaining variety at minimal
expense.
5.
Additional monitoring will be required to "police"
proper course usage. Someone will have to dispense equipment and check
individuals playing any miniature golf course for proper ID and proof of payment
in the case of guest usage.
6. Potential
damage and privacy to surrounding homes and automobiles from individuals are
potential problems....(especially young children) who would improperly use golf
equipment.
7. Children and grandchildren would require a daily guest
pass....costing $5 each day per person, and
would not be eligible to play by themselves. Regulations
require a member present with children. As a result,
senior residents would be forced to accompany them....at perhaps a danger
to personal health arising from the prohibitive 100+ degree
temperatures.
All of this can
easily be avoided by simply using an already existing course...an indoor
course built with proper and extensive creative amenities..paying almost the
same fee as that required of any association guest.
Any club that would be established
could obtain busing through their dues payments as most
other clubs do when off campus activities are
sponsored.
By way of example, even if such a
"charter club" existed, and the 225 people referenced were members, at an annual membership cost of $10 for each individual, that
would generate $2,250 of annual revenue...which would
more than cover the cost of a bus a few times over the course of a
year...to play their tournaments on an 18 hole fully decorated INDOOR air
conditioned course, rather than a 9 hole OUTDOOR one.
It simply makes
COMMON SENSE...to choose this path for those who wish to amuse themselves
with this form of entertainment.
Should we then build bowling alleys for
those who bowl and establish a club?
They seem to be happy on an off campus location.
How about a baseball diamond with
lights and a grandstand for those in the softball
club?
They seem to be happy on an off campus
location.
The moral of this story is
simple...
WHERE DOES THIS ALL END
?
If these clubs can accomplish their
entertainment enjoyment elsewhere that provide existing facilities THAT DO NOT INVOLVE ASSOCIATION EXPENSES, why can't the
same apply to those who enjoy miniature golf?
Are those who enjoy miniature golf more
"entitled" to a separate facility than the others?
We think NOT.
Are we wrong in our position?
Perhaps, but we believe the ultimate
decision must be made with the support of more than 1.5% of the population.
The only feasible
manner....
...using the democratic process of
placing this issue on a referendum for the association property owners to decide
its fate....
...not a meaningless slanted
survey....but...
...a proper mailing
to each and every home allowing both proponents and those who oppose it, the
opportunity to explain their positions, with a formal ballot to return in order
to make the final decision.
Simply stated...it is the right thing
to do, and any position shy of allowing "the people"
to make the ultimate decision as to its fate...
...is the WRONG
ONE.
In the spirit of "doing the right thing", we ask that any responsible
committee or board member, as well as, the alternative blogger, support this
manner of determination.
It would indicate their commitment to
their promises of representing "the
people".
Anthem Opinions
Administration
From resident...Yun Lee...to...Anthem Opinions
ReplyDeleteAs much as we wanted ALL bocce courts,, we would settle for something not as costly and easy to maintain, like shuffle board on HALF The courts while fixing the poorly designed Bocce courts to conform with Anthem Center Courts.
That way, we can play anytime and not have to plan our games before or after the Bocce Club's specific and regularly usage.
There is an outstanding Indoor Miniature golf course nearby.
Please consider my consent to share this information with your data base and local bloggers.
I am also appreciative of the blog information provided by some where facts can be confirmed.
I stopped going to meetings as it seems pointless, because it appears Board representatives minds seem to be made up in advance.
I hope I”m wrong about this but there seems to be a lack of information for residents on a regular basis and certain decisions come as quite a surprise regarding additional cost to residents of our community.
While researching options, you will find the following web sites offer details about miniature golf in Henderson and Las Vegas
1. http://www.kingputtlv.com
2. http://3dfamilyfuncenter.com/
3. www.monsterminigolf.com/kiss/
There is also a “Cosmic Mini-Golf” in Henderson/Galleria Mall at Sunset and another called Putt Park Miniature /golf (only OUTDOOR course in Las Vegas.
(http://theputtpark.com/theputtparkminigolf.html.)
It appears there is only ONE “outdoor mini golf” in Las Vegas, and the employees of the indoor facilities say that the HEAT creates a problem and people prefer to play indoors.
In my opinion, Sun City Anthem does NOT need a facility, much less the expense to tear up the existing bocce courts, reconstruct something that will not justify the construction expenses, much less the “ongoing’ costs to maintain.
From resident...Sam Novotny...to...Anthem Opinions
ReplyDeleteI cannot understand this insane idea to build a mini-golf course for seniors. We sure do not need it for visiting children.
Did people forget that this is an age restricted community and not an entertainment center for kids?
We have enough dealing with them in our swimming pools.
How can the advocates for this course claim that this will make our community more attractive to buyers, who are looking for peace and quiet from kids?
As it was pointed out in your article, no one in their right mind will play on such a course during the heat of the day.
Look at the tennis courts. They are not used most of the year during the hottest part of the day, 10AM to about 6 PM.
Checkout the sign in sheets for the tennis courts and see if I am right..
How can one call a mini-golf course a club? Are there membership dues, by-laws, elected officials?
I bet if you did a survey of the claimed supporters, you will find that 99% have not played mini-golf in years.
You pointed out all the associated costs, maintenance, keeping track of equipment, paying for night lights and on and on.
You have also pointed out that despite the fact that the idea for the course was declined by the Grounds Committee, Life Style approved it.
IIs it a political favor or something worse? Perhaps we should have an outside source examine why certain individuals are pushing this course and is there any relationship between this individual's and the potential course builder/s).
After all, we have this slush fund created by sticking it to those that sell their homes here, surely we can spare a few dimes on checking this out?
At a minimum the whole community should vote on this project.
How sad it is...that no board candidate, board member, or any committee member will come forth and support THE PEOPLE making such a determination.
ReplyDeleteWhy would that be?
They claim to "represent", yet when it comes to a matter of such expense,,,,they ALL REMAIN SILENT.as to allowing "the people" to decide.
This fact in itself, proves that "power corrupts...and absolute power corrupts absolutely"..
When will those who are elected or appointed to such positions ever realize that it is their DUTY to listen to the people, that their responsibility is following their wishes, making every attempt to learn what these wishes and desires are, and them make final decisions based on the desires of ENTIRE POPULATE, not just a handful of individuals who THEY BELIEVE, represent "the people"..
A matter of this magnitude requires a vote of the association, not one of 7 people listening to 225 people and the lobbying efforts of one individual who has no relevant business experience, no successful past record of success, and has never advocated a venture that has proven to be successful.
That defines a bureaucrat...one who is incapable of looking at people in no way other than using them to a private end.
Why would that advocate not support a referendum to decide this issue?
Is he or his supporters of this venture afraid that putting to the matter to "the people" will have an adverse affect on the outcome?
Perhaps he might fully explain WHY he or any of his siupporters refuse to comment on putting such a measure to the people for a vote.