Rec Centers board approves $100,000 design phase for North Course after hours of debate

The Rec Centers of Sun City Board of Directors approved a motion on June 26 to fund up to $100,000 for design work on the North Course, advancing plans for turf conversion, water-reduction measures and possible bunker work.

Board members voted unanimously in the first-reading roll call to approve the design funding; the board later voted to waive the usual second reading so design work can start this summer. The board recorded the first-reading result as 9-0 in favor; the separate motion to waive a second reading passed by an 8-4-1 tally.

The vote followed more than two hours of public comment and debate during which golfers and other residents urged the board to move the project forward, while other committee members and residents pressed for clearer scope, budget sources and compliance with Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) requirements. Long Range Planning Committee (LRP) Chair Director Jim Ruff introduced the motion on behalf of LRP, saying the committee recommended the design funding to develop plans and cost estimates.

Members of the public and several club leaders…