This year, SunBird has only had a few monsoon storms this season. However, it has been extremely hot. Towards the end of June, a late-night heavy windstorm arrived at around 10 p.m., with strong gusts of wind blowing throughout the evening. The following morning, the entire sky was filled with a hazy brown cloud of dirt and debris that hung in the air for several days after the storm. Fortunately, the common area landscape trees had all just been trimmed and thinned with very little wind damage. Following this storm, a couple of light dust storms passed through SunBird with minimal rainfall.
A few reminder precautions about storms in SunBird. If lightning is reported within 10 miles of the area, the swimming pools will be closed until the storm has cleared the area. When gusts of winds are strong, it can cause resistance to the vehicle entry/exit gates, causing them to stay open or close partially. If this is observed, please contact SunBird Patrol immediately. In some strong storms, the gates will be set to open position to preserve the operators and avoid potential damage. If power goes out or an electric surge is detected, the vehicle gates have a battery back-up system and will automatically remain open for 30 minutes after power is restored. This is to allow ingress and egress for potential emergency vehicles and normal traffic to SunBird. If the power goes out at the clubhouse during normal operating hours, it will be closed. Patrol will sweep through the clubhouse and evacuate any people, and the clubhouse will be locked and secure. Before reopening, all of the clubhouse equipment (air conditioners, elevator, refrigerators, coolers, emergency systems, computers, routers, cameras, swimming pool pumps and motors) will be tested and/or reset before opening. In normal cases, this is typically completed before the following day. However, after severe storms, this restoration process can sometimes take longer. If this is the case, notice will be provided to the community.
Summer projects are moving along. The Navajo Room flooring has been replaced, cabinets updated, and the room painted. Lights in the clubhouse main hallway have been updated with LED fixtures and recessed lights that can be directed towards the walls of artwork. The main lobby area located just across from the office is under construction with the installation of updated dual-paned glass windows. All clubhouse exterior decking tiles have been repaired or regrouted. Clubhouse swimming pool pump filters have all been replaced. The clubhouse swimming pool will be closed for a few days to have some deck work performed and to improve the French drains. Notice will be posted by eblast, website, and posted at the clubhouse swimming pool when the schedule has been finalized. All common area palm trees have been trimmed. Ceiling tiles of the clubhouse are in the process of being reviewed and replaced. Several of the common area landscape large pole lights have been changed to LED fixtures. All common area lights have been inspected, repaired, and/or replaced. The clubhouse ballroom will be closed during the month of August to strip, treat, and reseal the hardwood floor. The common landscape areas are all scheduled to have a pre-emergent weed treatment applied to minimize future weed control. The work continues forward.
Landscape and facility maintenance employees working in Arizona have to be very resilient. Each day, they have to be prepared to tolerate the extreme temperatures: constant hydration; sun protection; good, healthy eating and sleeping habits; and a focus while on the job using tools and equipment. Those living in Arizona know how hot it is and how it affects everyday life. The constant heavy feeling of the heat every day is exhausting. It is extremely tiring to work day after day outside in the full sun while in these conditions. SunBird has a great maintenance team that comes to work whether it is a blistering 120 degrees or a brisk 30 degrees to keep the facilities and amenities of SunBird updated, clean, and operable. Let’s not forget to show our appreciation to the employees who perform this ongoing work at SunBird.
Road work will be scheduled for September for the areas within SunBird that had slurry work performed last year. This is the work that had 1/4-inch minus gravel added to seal coat spread over the asphalt road. As the last step of this process, one year after, these roads need to be completed with one last application of seal coating. Certain areas of SunBird will be closed to vehicle traffic for a 24-hour period. Stay tuned to SunBird’s eblasts and the SunBird website for road maintenance scheduling information.
As the hot weather lingers, don’t forget to come visit the SunBird clubhouse. The temperature is maintained at a comfortable level with many relaxing, recreational, and social opportunities. Take a dip in the swimming pool or enjoy shooting some billiards, relax and read a book in the library or help with a puzzle, get a workout in the Fitness Room or watch some television. Look in this month’s edition of the SunBird News or SunBird’s website for many other social events hosted at the clubhouse. Don’t forget, for a great meal or cool beverage, let us do the serving in the Horizon Room restaurant. Have a safe and healthy summer!