Layne Varney
It is hot in SunBird! Temperatures are well into the triple digits and certainly testing everyone’s endurance. Even with the blazing summer heat, improvement projects throughout SunBird continue to move forward. Several major projects are underway that will enhance the appearance, functionality, and long-term maintenance of our community.
The main entrance at Riggs Road and Championship Drive has received a fresh new look. The gravel and rock surrounding the SunBird monument signs on both sides of the entrance have been replaced with sections of green artificial turf, creating a clean, welcoming appearance. The gatehouse has also been enhanced with new decorative stone installed along the lower portion of the building, adding color and texture. Both the SunBird monument signs and the gatehouse have been freshly painted. In addition, the Garden Club has done a terrific job beautifying the entrance with colorful plants and flowers in the planters, making this area more inviting than ever.
The ballroom hardwood floor refinishing project is now underway. Before work began, all of the ballroom lighting was replaced and maintenance improvements were completed throughout the area. The hardwood floor is being sanded, 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 Kare Bears have made a generous donation to assist with replacing the ballroom’s older, heavy round tables. The new tables are lighter, easier to move, and provide a more modern appearance while improving functionality for the many activities held in the ballroom.
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. In addition, plans are nearing completion for roadway maintenance that will include crack sealing and seal coating in selected areas of the community. Additional information, including the schedule and locations, will be published soon.
Phase Two of the clubhouse interior lighting upgrade is also in progress. Last year, several styles of light fixtures were tested throughout the clubhouse to determine the best replacement for the existing fluorescent lighting. After careful evaluation, a new fixture was selected and installed along the main clubhouse hallway. These fixtures provide improved lighting quality, greater energy efficiency, and significantly reduced maintenance requirements. This year, Phase Two will continue with the replacement of additional fluorescent fixtures throughout the clubhouse main floor, further enhancing the building’s appearance while lowering energy and maintenance costs.
The clubhouse balcony shade coverings outside of the Lakeview, Apache, and Horizon Rooms are currently being custom manufactured. These new shade coverings will replace the existing blue canvas with a steel-gray sunscreen fabric that is more durable, easier to maintain, and carries 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 these are custom-fabricated, installation is expected toward the end of September.
The Fitness Center has undergone an extensive review to maximize the use of the available space and modernize the facility. Planning is now in its final stages. The improvements will include new flooring, fresh paint, a redesigned equipment layout to improve traffic flow and space utilization, replacement of selected exercise equipment, and the creation of additional open space for strength training, balance exercises, core workouts, and stretching.
The Horizon Room is also receiving several service area enhancements. A new light-colored granite countertop will be installed, the shelving area will be refreshed with updated paint colors, and decorative lighting will be added behind the service area to improve both appearance and functionality. In addition, the high-top wood tables have been sanded, refinished, and sealed, providing an attractive new look for the dining area.
We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while these improvement projects are underway. We recognize that construction activities can occasionally create temporary inconveniences, including room closures, restricted access, or detours. However, these short-term disruptions 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.