Layne Varney, General Manager
Where did the summer go? It seems this year the summer came and went in the blink of an eye. Throughout the summer, many maintenance and improvement projects have been completed, while several others are still underway.
The ballroom hardwood floor refinishing project is nearly complete. The contractor spent an entire week sanding the 7,200-square-foot wood floor, making three passes over every square inch to properly prepare the surface. The hardwood floor is now being treated and resealed with multiple coats of finish to restore its beauty and protect it for years to come. Once the finish has fully cured, the ballroom curtains will be professionally cleaned, treated with a fire-retardant application, and repressed to improve both safety and appearance.
The Fitness Center is undergoing several updates designed to maximize the use of available space and modernize the facility. Improvements will include new flooring, fresh paint, a redesigned equipment layout to improve traffic flow and space utilization, replacement of selected exercise equipment, and additional open space for strength training, balance exercises, core workouts, and stretching. The new flooring has been ordered and is expected to be installed toward the end of September. Once the installation date is finalized, the Fitness Center will be closed for approximately one week. More information will be provided as the schedule becomes available.
During the Fitness Center closure, residents looking for an alternative exercise facility may want to consider the City of Chandler’s Tumbleweed Recreation Center, located at the southwest corner of McQueen and Germann Roads. The facility is open Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Daily passes for City of Chandler residents age 55 and older are $3 per day with proof of residency, such as a driver’s license with a Chandler address or a utility bill. For more information, please call Tumbleweed Recreation Center at 480–782-2900.
Road maintenance work in selected sections of SunBird is planned for late September or early October. Some areas will receive crack sealing, while other areas will receive a complete curb-to-curb seal coat. During the work, affected roads will be closed for approximately 24 hours to allow for the work and curing process. Once the schedule is finalized by the road maintenance contractor, information will be posted on the SunBird website and clubhouse bulletin board and sent out by e-blast.
New LED light fixtures have been installed in the TV Lobby, Library, Puzzle Room, and Activities Area, replacing the older fluorescent fixtures. The new LED lighting provides improved light quality, creates a more modern appearance, and helps reduce electricity consumption and maintenance costs.
The clubhouse balcony shades outside the Lakeview, Apache, and Horizon Rooms are currently being custom manufactured. The new shade coverings will replace the existing blue canvas with a steel-gray sunscreen fabric that is more durable, easier to maintain, and backed by a longer warranty. In addition to providing a fresh, updated appearance, the new shades will improve comfort for members and guests using these outdoor areas. Because the shades are custom fabricated, installation is expected toward the end of September.
The Horizon Room has also received several service-area enhancements. A new light-colored granite countertop has been installed, the shelving area has been painted, and decorative lighting has been added behind the service area to improve both appearance and functionality. In addition, the high-top wood tables have been sanded, refinished, and sealed, giving the dining area an attractive new look.
The final phase of the SunBird street name sign replacement project is now in production. The remaining 93 street signs will be replaced with larger signs featuring improved lettering for greater visibility and a cleaner, more uniform appearance throughout the community. Once production is complete, installation will begin, marking the completion of a multi-year effort to replace every street name sign in SunBird.
We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while these improvement projects are underway. We recognize that construction and maintenance activities can occasionally create temporary inconveniences, including room closures, restricted access, and road detours. These short-term disruptions, however, are investments in the continued improvement of our community. We are excited about the progress being made and look forward to completing these projects for the benefit and enjoyment of all SunBird residents.