Sun City’s Board of Directors held another discussion July 7 about the problems at the Wildflower Lake shoreline, and they came closer to making a decision on what to do about them.
The board didn’t make any final decisions, but they did reach agreement on a few points about Wildflower Lake, especially with the Angler’s Club members and even among themselves.
The deteriorating shoreline presents hazards for residents and guests. (Sun Day file photo)
First, they agreed that the lake is an outdoor recreational amenity for the entire community, and it is also an amenity for the Angler’s Club, the charter group that is the primary user of the lake and shoreline throughout the year. At various points at the meeting, it was stated, but not yet generally agreed on, that three things need to be done at the lake right now:
1) The rocky shoreline needs to be stabilized and leveled so it is safe and convenient for people of all ages to walk on.
2) Erosion-control efforts begun in 2012 need to be continued and possibly expanded.
3) Convenient and safe shore-fishing sites need to be maintained, and possibly expanded.
Another talking point was whether the Anglers Club would be willing and able to share in the cost of upgrades, similar to what has been done by the Tennis Club at the Tall oaks Tennis Center. Anglers club members have said, however, that they aren’t the only users of the lake, and shouldn’t be singled out for to provide cost-sharing.
Last week’s meeting ended with the board asking Chris Leuck, the association’s outdoor maintenance director, to go back to Hay Associates, the association’s lake maintenance consultant, for a second time. The board asked the staff and Hay to provide two or more options for an upgrade and repair program for final board consideration no later than August 3, the board’s next committee-of-the-whole meeting. Last year, the board budgeted $17,000 for shoreline upgrades in the association’s capital reserve budget.
Through these last three years of discussions, the Grandma, Grandpa, and Me Club (GGM) has held its annual fishing derby at the lake every July. The 2016 derby will be held next week, on July 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.. As many as 300 persons are expected to attend, including some Angler’s Club members, dozens of grandchildren, their parents, and spectators.
Cindy Ptak, GGM club president, said last week that planning for this year’s event has included a much heavier emphasis on safety.
“We are telling our grandparents to warn their children to be very careful around the rocks, and even to put life preservers on any kids that aren’t strong swimmers. We always hope for the best with the weather and we will do the same with the shoreline conditions.”
She added that she was encouraged when she learned of the progress in board discussions at last week’s meeting.
“We need to find out what works on this shoreline, not what doesn’t work,” said Bill Berendt, board member. “We need a reasonable solution that stabilizes the shore for as long as possible and supports fishing activities at the lake. We can’t make the entire lake fishable, we need to keep in mind that the lake is not exclusively just for one activity.”
When Sun City opened in the late ’90s, the lake quickly became a popular fishing spot. Small-boat activities were offered to residents in the early years, but that activity was eventually discontinued doe to a lack of sufficient resident interest. The lake’s fundamental reason for existing is as a flood control reservoir. After erosion along the eastern shore began to occur, small boulders, called “rip rap” by fishermen and environmentalists, were placed along the eastern shore, the side closest to Del Webb Boulevard starting in 2012.
This was effective against erosion, but it created an uneven shoreline that is difficult, and in some places dangerous, to walk on.
Ed Dziubinski, past president of the Angler’s Club, attended last week’s board meeting along with several club members and officers.
“I told the board that all we want is to have more fine gravel placed along the eastern shore too smooth out the rocky areas, make it easier for fishermen and others to walk to and along the water’s edge, and stabilize the shore,” Dziubinski said. “We understand the need to prevent erosion. In one section where they have added gravel, it has helped to create a smooth path, while also helping stabilize the area. We’d like more of that done. Right now, the only places to fish are the new pier or the few locations where they have put large, flat rocks.” Dziubinski added that he felt last week’s meeting was a good session.
“It’s maybe the closest we’ve been (the Angler’s Club and the Board) since this all started, it’s better than it’s been,” he said.
There has been only one significant injury at the shore since the rip rap was added, while fishermen have found ways to navigate the uneven rocks or have fished from the pier.
