Shortly after Sun City opened in 1999, the association established a policy that allowed guests of residents (mostly grandchildren) to swim in the Prairie Lodge pools at designated times and days. A similar policy was established at the two community fitness centers. Guests must be sponsored and accompanied by a resident at all times – in the pools and fitness areas.
Later, as the number of charter clubs grew to more than 40, opportunities were extended to guests of other charter clubs, with or without approval. A few years ago, the Bridge Charter Club requested, and received, approval for non-resident participation. One of the biggest reasons for this was that the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) required that a national tournament held in Sun City needed to be open to the public.
Sun City’s three performing arts groups – the Theatre Company, Concert Band, and Prairie Singers – all have sought, and received, approval for non-resident participation in musicals, rehearsals, and concerts. These three groups have justified this based on the artistic need for specific instrumentalists, performers, and singers.
In all cases involving these charter clubs, guest and non-resident participation now is a part of the clubs’ bylaws, which are approved by the Charter Club Presidents’ Council. Generally, all of these actions have been taken on a case-by-case basis after carefully researching the reasons for the requests, and their potential impact on the opportunities for Sun City residents. As a general rule, Charter club non-resident exceptions have been allowed when they do not prevent Sun City residents from participating in club activities. Sun City derives some income when guest fees are charged.
On August 3, the Sun City Softball Club became the community’s first sports club to gain official sanction for non-resident participation. Here’s some background on this matter: Earlier this year, residents of Edgewater, a Del-Webb active adult community in Elgin, contacted Softball President Glenn Groebli to say they had formed a softball team. They asked if they could play at Eakin Field, where the Sun City club plays its regular season games and post-season tournaments. Groebli said the Edgewater group had no place to play and no other teams in its location. The Softball Club’s board approved the move.
After a couple of meetings with Deanna Loughran, Sun City’s executive director, and board of directors members, Loughran recommended to the Sun City board last week that the Edgewater group be allowed to play games in the softball club’s Thursday morning league.
“Our Thursday club has seven teams, and they really needed eight to make scheduling games easier,” Groebli said. “We feel this helps both us and the Edgewater group. No Sun City team or player is prevented from participating by the presence of the Elgin team.”
Sun City’s board agreed, but the approval is good for this season’s remaining games only, and not for practices or any post-season tournaments. The board also asked the Charter Club Presidents Council to take another look at the overall aspects of this issue and make recommendations on possible new policies and guidelines for guest privileges. Some Sun Citians have expressed opposition to some of these exceptions, and to guest privileges in general. James Darow, N5, said in a recent letter to the Sun Day: “Sun City Huntley is an exclusive private club. Buy a house, pay the assessments, and you are in. Income derived from a non-resident fee is of a much lesser value than the privilege of being a Sun City resident.”
Charter clubs’ bylaws are approved by the Charter Club President’s Council after a thorough and lengthy review by a committee.
“The council has worked closely with a number of charter clubs when they demonstrate a need for a non-resident to participate,” said Linda Davis, a board member who is board liaison to the council. “The bridge club demonstrated its need because a special tournament, and all three performing arts groups have justified their need for non-residents who possess special talents or abilities not available in Sun City.”
“We must be careful with this,” said board member Bill Bendick. “We have sometimes made exceptions for convenience, and not because we’re trying to follow the rules. Any change to a charter club’s guest policy bylaws requires board approval.”
