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COWAN CREEK
AMENITY CENTER
The Successful
Conclusion of Two Years of Sun City Texas Amenity Development
May 15th, 2010 was a milestone event in the history of Sun
City Texas with the grand opening of the Cowan Creek Amenity Center
Let's go back in time to January 18, 2008
when Sun City Texas Amenity Development began at a town hall meeting with
residents. Pulte/Del Webb laid out an aggressive, detailed plan of
new amenities to be built in Sun City. Early in the
Design/Development stages, the developer began working through the
Property and Grounds (P&G) Committee to develop the best amenity
package possible. It started with a detailed survey of the residents
asking for resident input as to what they desired to see in future
community amenities. Next were interviews with Sun City Texas clubs,
committees, Community Association (CA) staff, input from Del Webb Active
Adult Business Development Group and visits to other Sun City projects.
All of this led to a general theme of amenities. A timeline was
laid out as to when these amenities were to be delivered. The
initial milestone was the completion and opening of Cowan Creek Golf
Course and temporary Pro Shop in 2008 (Phase 1 of a two-phase Amenity
Center project). Next were the expansion and remodeling of the
Village Center Complex, which included the Woodshop, Social Center, CA
staff offices, Library, Crafts Center, Tennis Courts, Bocce Courts, and
parking facilities; as well as building a new Fabric and Fiber Center, a
stand alone Billiards facility, and Pickleball courts.
Additionally, the Activities Center was remodeled for the Computer Club
expansion. These new and expanded amenities were brought on line in 2009.
While this was going on, plans were developed and construction begun on
the Sun City Park consisting of a new Softball Complex and Pet Park along
with parking and enhancement of the Community Gardens. This wonderful
addition to our community was dedicated and turned over to the CA in
April 2010.
In the meantime, the design professionals,
Developer, CA staff and P&G Committee were working to kick off the
construction of Phase 2 of the Cowan Creek Amenity Center - the 22,000+
sq. ft. multipurpose Amenity Building, Resort and Lap Pools, Pavilion,
Amphitheater, Walking Trails and Fishing Pond. The construction of the
Amenity Center was a collaborative effort and the result of working as a "team"
in order to get the best product for the dollar and the CA. The developer
not only involved the CA through the P&G Committee early on in the
design/ development stages of the project but also during the
construction phase. By allowing our full participation with the
contractor(s)/design professionals/developer at the "table"
during the construction phase, the CA was instrumental in the selection
of materials, products and layouts that were beneficial to the CA. The
Furniture, Fixture and Equipment Subcommittee of the P&G (a
subcommittee consisting of CA staff and members of clubs/organizations)
was afforded the opportunity of selecting and quantifying the types and
quantities of the interior fixtures and equipment that the CA felt was
needed to make this the premier facility that you see today.
The developer is to be commended in giving
the CA the freedom and opportunity to make many changes to the design in
the construction phase that in the end benefited the overall project.
This was a "first time" effort between the developer and the
representatives of the CA to develop and deliver an amenity project that
has the best that both can offer. It shows that there can be major
collaboration between both parties to the benefit of all residents.
The community and developer can stand proud that they have in Cowan Creek
Amenity Center one of the most outstanding amenities in the Sun City
world of retirement communities. Work commenced on Phase 2 of the
Amenity Projects in February 2009 and it was turned over to the community
in May 2010, with the exception of the Fishing Pond that will be
completed in late summer. It is the last of the major amenity
projects planned by the developer in 2008 as the community builds out to
completion at 7500 homes.
All of this was going on in our community in a time frame when we were in
an economic downturn. New home sales were minimal and the national
economic outlook was bleak. We were fortunate however, to have a
committed developer - Pulte/Del Webb - who had the wear with all to
weather the economic turmoil, and the vision and financial stamina to see
these projects through to completion in the time frame to which they
originally committed to Sun City residents; these promises being
made in better economic times.
Enjoy and thank the developer when you can
for bringing this project to a successful conclusion.
For the Property & Grounds Committee
Bob Young (Past Chairman) 6/6/2010
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