Survey captures rec, leisure profile in SCW

Second of two stories

Results from a study of Sun City West residents will be used by the Recreation Centers to develop a recreation and leisure profile to attract future residents and improve community offerings, association management said.

The study focused on the responses of about 800 Boomers and pre-Boomers regarding physical fitness and leisure activities and why the residents chose the community.

The study was done in conjunction with Arizona State University director of gerontology Dr. Richard Gitelson and Sun City West residents who were part of a Boomers task force.

"This was a joint project. The committee helped develop the survey ... and the study objectives," Gitelson said. "The first was a marketing objective to find out why people have chosen to live in Sun City West. Then we were trying to get a profile of the residents here."

General Manager Mike Whiting said management would review the study to see if there are ways to improve the community.

"If we have the right information, we can make the right decisions to best serve all our residents. That saves us from spending time and money on services and amenities that aren't needed," he said.

The study will likely be the first of many, Whiting said.

"We intend to do this again later so we can have a benchmark every few years so we see the changes as they come along," he said. "As a staff (we'll) take a look at this summer to see what we might recommend to the board in terms of programs or new methods for the fall."

"We'll use this survey as we move forward in determining our capital priorities and any changes in services that might be warranted. We'll also use it as a baseline so when we do another survey in the future, we can start identifying some trends."

Rec centers governing board President Matt Szydlowski said the study would benefit current and future boards in making decisions for the community.

"It really is eye-opening to see all the data that has been presented," he said. "The data will be used by future governing boards to change, modify and add to the facilities and recreational opportunities as indicated by the need of the Baby Boomers."

 Erin Turner may be reached at 623-876-2522 or eturner@yourwestvalley.com.