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Sun City West board hears robust master‑plan engagement, consultants to deliver costed recommendations
Summary
Operations staff told the governing board the Barry Dunn master‑planning process has yielded high online engagement — 12,495 views and 2,744 contributions — and consultants will deliver cost estimates and renderings to guide budget priorities.
Sabrina Elvado, an operations team member overseeing the master‑planning effort, told the Rec Centers of Sun City West governing board on Feb. 13 that the consultant team has finished initial on‑site work and will return with costed recommendations.
"Since last Friday the 6th, we've had a total of 12,495 views on our engagement website," Elvado said, adding that the site produced 2,744 contributions and 244 participations in a budget‑exercise tool designed to surface community priorities. Barry Dunn’s team, subconsultants BRS Architecture and the National Golf Foundation, conducted facility tours and public engagement in January and will return in March for additional sessions.
The nut graf: the consultants will produce a master‑plan report that the board can use for capital planning decisions. Elvado said the final deliverable will include project recommendations, renderings and "cost estimates in today's dollars" so the board can decide whether and when to fund projects suggested by residents and staff.
Board members and residents asked practical questions about what the report will include and how the raw idea submissions will be handled. Resident Gary Bach asked whether viability and cost estimates for community suggestions (for example, a proposed restaurant) would appear in the consultants’ report; Elvado answered that the final product will present recommendations and cost estimates that the board can use for future budget planning.
Directors also discussed survey methodology. Elvado described ETC Institute’s statistically valid mailing exercise, noting the initial mail sample is randomized and will not reach every household; after the validation phase the survey will be opened to the broader community. "That’s how statistically valid surveys work," she said, cautioning that not everyone will receive the initial mailer.
Why it matters: the master plan will shape priorities for capital projects and long‑range spending. Board members repeatedly urged staff and consultants to preserve accessibility and to benchmark Sun City West against comparable large planned communities. Elvado said consultants will provide marketing and demographic benchmarking as part of the next phase.
What’s next: staff said the Barry Dunn team will return in late March for more outreach sessions and focus groups; the board will receive the consultants’ draft recommendations and cost estimates for consideration during the coming budget cycle.
