SUNCREST RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION : Our voices

Big Dreams with Opportunities for SUNCREST RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION:

I moved to Suncrest Country Club about two years ago. When I first called the Real Estate agent and viewed the community, I could see nothing short of great potential. 

I thought, as a full-time employee, I would order my dinner at the café. On one of our warm summers evenings, I could have dinner while enjoying the sunset either on the patio at the clubhouse or on my own patio. Wow, that was a major disappointment when I come to find out the café is closed. I thought, after a long 10-hour workday I might be able to meet up with my neighbors for a game of pool or cards and just maybe have a beverage to relax. Oops, I find out the clubhouse is closed way before I leave work.

I thought, I would be able to take safe walks within our gated community. I have seen repeatedly people drive on the wrong side of the road and do not know or are not aware they are to give at least three feet of space from a person walking or bike riding. In addition, most don’t know what a speed limit is since they go by so fast my ring cameras can’t record fast enough.

I thought I would be able to attend socials on Fridays or weekends. Nope that is not possible since in the two years I have been here, I have only been given three issues of the “Desert Breeze”. The last one was for November/December. I see on my ring cameras a “person walks” and slips a flyer into the receptacle that hangs under the carports. However, with great hesitation, that same person looks at my hanging receptacle and continues walking excluding me as if I am not a resident.

I thought I could go up to the clubhouse and just sit outside on the south side of the club house, where the large patio is, with my own chair. The first time I tried there were people leaving an unknown event from inside. Since I was not given the “Desert Breeze” I had no knowledge as to why the usually closed clubhouse was opened. As the event was winding down, I went inside to use the facility (bathroom) and as I entered a man came swiftly down the hallway and locked the door. Clearly it was not friendly. However, I thought it was our clubhouse and that it was to be made available to “all” the residents. Please note there were still people inside having a good time, yet hostility abounds.

On another occasion when the inside band announced they were playing their last song for the night and clearly the event was clearing out people getting in their cars to leave; I decided to walk around inside the clubhouse since I have never seen the inside. When I walked through the kitchen, a woman approached and asked if she could help me. I said no since I did not need her to give me a tour. I just wanted to look in each room. I was not there for the event. I could see the tables were cleared off and people were leaving; yet another female walks up to me and tells me I had to pay her to be in the room? I was just walking through and stopped to see a picture on the wall when this person angerly approached me. Disrespectfully she wanted to know was I a resident and just exactly where I lived. I ignored her and left the building.

I thought I could use the pools, I count three in our community. I assumed any resident could go to any of the pools to swim and enjoy the scenery. Having owned pools in my backyard prior to moving here I know what it takes to maintain a pool. I do not know and have never maintained a pool at a facility. However, seeing the water up close knowing what I know about pools these are a far cry from swimmable. I did test the water several times to be fair to the maintenance company and the water was far from safe levels. I looked for the pool logs and did not see any available. 

So why am I writing this for what purpose? 

I still see our community as a very special place to live. I have sat on my porch many times and wondered what if.

What if we did have pools that were up to par with the local hotels and spas in the area? What if we had pools that all residents could use that were ADA compliant? 

What if we had the safety equipment by pool side just in case one of our neighbors needs help in the pool?

What if we had a club house we could use, instead of it being closed all the time?

What if we did have access to the sauna that is now closed in the club house, especially all year round? 

What if we had a club house where those who are on a fixed income could use the club house as a cooling center? Or if you had an issue at home, you knew you could at least use a microwave to heat a meal. Of if the electricity went out in the community our club house would be able to provide electricity for an oxygen machine so our neighbor would not need to panic unable to breath.

What if we had a café that during the lunch hour made a meal which could be delivered to any of the three pools for a fee on weekends?

What if I ended work and called the café so my dinner would be waiting instead of me having to make a meal home? 

What if on a weekend there was pickle ball game that one could sign up for on Friday night to ensure a partner was available or for that matter anytime on a weekend?  Especially for those of us who work!

What if the club house was open for card games or games of pool or movie night, or dancing on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays? On Tuesdays, the 4pm to 7pm does not work for those of us who are employed. For myself, I would get home at 6:45 pm and rush to the club house for what? To see everything closed, that’s not fun. 

What if craft clubs were held at the club house where woodworking, needle point and other crafts could be tried? 

What if someone could put together a painting party and beverages are served? 

What if a beer or wine tasting class were given to those who have questions and wish to know more? Maybe a cooking class could be arranged for those who wish to know how to make a good bread?

What if we had table and chairs outside, on the patio, on the southside of the club house whereby neighbors could meet up and have appetizers or hors d’oeuvres? Maybe a beverage or two. We could have our own weekend happy hours after a long weekend of putzing around the house. 

What if we knew we could have a hot meal just by calling the café and have it delivered. Boy it would have been nice when I had Covid and was too ill to cook. But think about it. 

What if you knew a neighbor just came home from the hospital and you could arrange the café to deliver a meal for them? Letting the neighbor know you were thinking about them.

What if a birthday could be celebrated up at the club house? Or what if a birthday cake could be delivered by the café when someone’s birthday arrives? Heck, I would settle for cupcakes.

What if the café had food for those of us who require special diets so all could participate in using the club house? If restaurants in the area can make food for different diet restrictions, why couldn’t our café? 

What if meetings could be held at the club house to inform residents about Medical Issues, Car Issues, Insurance Issues, Happenings around the community both inside Suncrest and outside in Palm Desert? 

What if informative meeting could be held at the club house to allow residents to know where they can get grants to fix up their homes or put on a new roof without sending them into poverty? How about grants to get new windows, refrigerators, washing machines, did you know Medicare pays for air conditioners in certain circumstances? Medicare pays for other things too just need to know where to get the information and how to access it.

What if there were an online sign-up sheet for those who needed a ride to a doctor, dentist, airport, food shopping, etc.? Some of us drive and some of us do not. During medical procedures or dental procedures sometimes, you are not allowed to drive home due to the medication. We have all been there.

What if we were the first community that included everyone including our disabled neighbors? Those who are blind, wheelchair bound, unsteady on their feet who would feel safe to be able to attend a social or just get out of the house.

What if you had a place to go in the club house that would let you know the laws that govern the place you live? Let you know by paying rent you are not obligated in having the trees on your property trimmed, because you don’t own the land here you rent and the property owner bears the expense, not you. It is in the current law! Just ask!

What if a business office and a dedicated meeting room was created where someone could go to maybe be helped in figuring out a problem? Not of legal advice or such, but help that person search the internet so they could get the help they need. You know not everyone knows how to use a computer.

What if residents knew they had a safe space to just socialize and not sit home? No one would judge them or harass them just be kind and a human being. What we need is to change with the times. People who move here should be able to be welcomed by all. For the neighbors that I have met, most are wonderful. Most have something to offer in the way of companionship.

What if’s are endless, and I could go on, the takeaway here is we need to change the way the current Suncrest Country Club is run. Some of these suggestions don’t take money just participation. If the Café can’t be opened more than maybe a change is in order. Maybe a change in attitudes needs to occur and move the refuseniks out of the current situation so all can participate in their community. 

For me I see tremendous potential with our community.

If you agree raise a hand and come help, make some changes, and enjoy our community!