News From IronOaks at Sun Lakes

Attention new homeowners

Melva Edwards

You are eligible for a free round of golf for two, a free week of fitness, a free week of tennis and a BOGO meal at any IronOaks restaurant. All you have to do is call the IronOaks Welcome Committee c/o Howard Lundgren at 480-369-2015 or e-mail him at [email protected] to receive your new homeowner’s canvas tote filled with useful information about your community.

President’s Report

David Erwin, President IronOaks Board of Directors

I am sure you are wondering about the departure of Faye Stone and what is going to happen next? During the interim period, the board will be responsible for the day-to-day management of IronOaks until a new GM is selected. Each board member will be responsible for one or more departments. They will meet with the staff on a regular basis. The following are the assignments for the Board:

Accounting – Frank Gould, treasurer

ALC – Doug Bishop, secretary

Communications – David Erwin, president

Facilities – Doug Bishop, secretary

Fitness and Racquet Center – Richard Eslick, vice president

Food and Beverage (including activities and banquets) Gary Market and John Porter

Golf – Doug Bishop, Secretary

Administration/Office – David Erwin, president

Patrol – Richard Eslick, vice president

This team will also have regular meetings to update the board on the status and actions of each department. There will also be regular meetings of the department heads for feedback and updates. I am sure that staff would appreciate your support and cooperation.

Last Wednesday, February 17, the board hosted a Town Hall Meeting for Pickleball. There were 69 homeowners who registered to be given the opportunity to speak their opinions and/or suggestions. I want to thank everyone who attended and spoke. The tone of the meeting and speakers was calm, and the response was courteous. It is obvious that the various sides to the issue had a chance to hear the others’ concerns. Thus, I believe it was not just beneficial to the board, but to all who attended. We are reviewing the comments and updating the costs in order to prepare a Change of Use ballot as the homeowners will make the final decision.

Based on the conversations after the presentation and comment cards, the presentation by Blue Star for the Food and Beverage Project was well received. However, I think there are some who believe this is only yet another redecoration with paint, new carpets and tables. It is so much more than that. Homeowners have told us they want a more casual dining experience; a place to have fun, listen to music, patio dining with good food and reasonable prices. We listened and relayed those comments and desires to one of the best companies around that specialize in the overall design of a dining venue.

This process did not happen overnight, nor is the result a simple cookie cutter report. They visited our neighbors’ restaurants and others in the area. The results and proposal include a more efficient design of the flow of staff for improved service. Attention to the quality of sound and lighting; menus to match the capabilities of the kitchen and the kind and quality of food that our homeowners want; a thorough completely documented and tested manual that covers all aspects of the operation of a successful restaurant.

The decision process and the justification were relatively easy. We could continue to make no changes or investment in our current restaurant and lounge with the current design that does not meet the needs and wants of our homeowners and will continue to have the usual deficits. The alternative is to use the FACE fund to build a venue that meets these needs and wants of our homeowners, both in their stomachs and the IronOaks pocketbook.

The other projects underway for this year are as follows:

The Ironwood Golf Course irrigation and pump station part of the Ironwood renovation and repair.

The park project group has met and are refining the definition.