SCW Boomers want more activities, nightlife

Baby Boomers in Sun City West are interested in more evening and weekend activities, according to a survey conducted by the Property Owners and Residents Association.

PORA President Larry Woods said the informal survey was used to gather more information about the desires and recommendations of a growing number of Baby Boomers in the community.

About 500 people responded to the online survey conducted several weeks ago.

Most of those offering their suggestions pointed to the need for more exercise facilities, restaurants and bars and weekend activities, Woods said.

"(There was) a lot to do with exercise facilities, weight training. Restaurants jumped out quite often and Starbucks," he said. "(Respondents wanted) to have more things in the evening, more things on Saturdays. You're going to run into that with younger people."

Woods said the idea behind the survey was to get residents' opinions so PORA can be better prepared to deal with the future of the the community.

"Some of us in PORA believe that we have to change in the future to attract Boomers. The question is trying to get input from the Boomers about what they think is missing here," he said.

Another unrelated question on the survey asked residents their opinion on what would be the best use for 53 acres of open land at the end of Deer Valley Road near the Loop 303. While PORA has no jurisdiction over the county land parcel, Woods said he was interested in what recommendations residents would offer.

Most believed the land should be used to build more homes, he said.

"A lot of people suggested putting houses there. I haven't really seen anything different. Some (respondents) suggested a park and a cemetery," Woods said.

One response in particular Woods found especially intriguing.

"Another suggestion was to get APS or SRP to fill it with solar panels. It would draw some attention to Sun City West because it's right by the 303 and a lot of people would pass by."

Woods stressed that the results are only used for informational purposes as a means of collecting public opinions from residents.

"The goal with these surveys is to try and get some input so we can come up with things that we could do. We're just trying to get some ideas," he said.