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Sun City West residents oppose perimeter LED test light; committee pauses decision pending user survey
Summary
Committee members and dozens of residents debated a sample perimeter LED billiard light at the Sports Pavilion; players urged prioritizing table replacement and refelting, and the committee agreed to gather broader user input before deciding.
A test perimeter LED light installed in the Sun City West Sports Pavilion billiard room drew widespread comment at a packed Sports Pavilion Committee meeting, where players and staff traded technical and aesthetic concerns and the committee agreed to continue the matter after a targeted survey of frequent pool-room users.
The debate boiled down to two competing priorities: several long‑time players and two table mechanics cited by residents warned the perimeter-style lights would alter the room’s character, produce glare or reflections on balls and pockets, and “ruin the room,” while staff said the sample was provided for testing, can be adjusted (dimming/height) and reflects fixtures seen on recent tours of other community facilities.
“We’re going to light this place up like a Christmas tree. It’s not a pool hall,” a resident who distributed a handout told the committee, summarizing feedback from two table mechanics and a Diamond distributor he consulted. That resident urged using repair-and-replacement funds to buy matching Diamond tables and to complete the table-replacement project before changing all the lights.
Staff and some committee members said they had heard positive feedback as well. Gary, sports pavilion manager, described the fixture as a sample being tested and noted, “We have it for free, so we might as well try it. See if it works. See if it’s the future.” He also said the lights are dimmable and adjustable while staff investigates maintenance and replacement parts with the vendor.
Committee President Christine, and other members, proposed gathering broader input before a final purchase: staff agreed to prepare a targeted survey to reach frequent billiards users (Cliff said records show roughly 2,342 distinct users in 2025 and staff can identify heavy users). The committee also discussed alternatives, including adding perimeter sconces or other localized lighting that would brighten the room without changing table illumination.
Several players urged the committee to prioritize table maintenance and refelting. Multiple speakers said worn felt and mismatched table types (Brunswick and Diamond tables coexist in the room) are immediate problems that affect play more than modern lighting.
The committee did not vote on a lighting purchase. Instead it directed staff to develop a short, time‑sensitive survey targeting frequent billiard-room users and to return recommendations on lighting options and maintenance priorities at a later meeting.
The committee’s next steps: staff will distribute a focused survey of frequent users, consult table mechanics and lighting vendors about dimming and maintenance, and report back before any capital purchase is approved.
