As you are now aware, we have been given the authority by the County and Pulte to reopen our golf courses. Prior to that, we had received permission to resume horticulture activities. Both of these activities opened under transitional guidelines.
Why transitional guidelines?
The Board has long accepted the idea that there will be a transitional phase between where we are now and when we are given an “all clear” message from the appropriate governmental authority. Our clubs, groups and CA staff are most familiar with the various activities that take place in our facilities. They have been tasked with preparing guidelines that safely and conservatively allow us to resume a modified return to the activities we moved here to enjoy.
What are the safety expectations and goals?
A modified return to any of our activities has to be done with high regard to the safeguards we have been practicing since March 14. Social distancing (6 feet spacing between each other and gatherings of no more than 10 people), rigorous hand hygiene and staying home if not feeling well are the cornerstone safeguards and are fundamental to any transitional guideline for the resumption of any activity. The transitional guidelines must strive to provide an environment that is safer than what we currently experience going to the grocery store.
Why reopen now?
Some will say that the transitional guidelines are too restrictive and others will question the decision to resume any activities at this time. That is a broad range of views and the reason why the CA Board is treating these initial guidelines and their timing with extra caution.
Individual responsibility
Fundamental to any guideline is the expectation that residents will act responsibly and consider their safety and the safety of others. Similarly, participation in any activity under transitional guidelines is an individual choice.
It is also an individual responsibility to read, understand and agree to follow the transitional guidelines.
Lastly, and unfortunately, if the activity guidelines and expectations are not followed, it will result in loss of participation to that individual(s) until we receive an “all clear” from the responsible authorities to resume “normal” activities.
Outdoor activities
There has been a remarkable effort by the leadership of the clubs and groups who oversee OUTDOOR activities to prepare transitional guidelines for review and approvals by the CA Board and staff. The CA Communicator each week will identify the activities that have been given approval to resume transitional operation. The Communicator will also include a link to the club or group’s approved transitional guidelines.
The following OUTDOOR activities are very close to reopening with transitional guidelines:
- Tennis
- Pickleball
- Horseshoes, Washers and Shuffleboard (HAWKS)
- Remote Control Modelers Club
- Firewise (brush removal, trail maintenance and development)
- Bocce
- Corvette Club
- Pet Club (not the Dog Park)
- Fishing
- Rod and Gun Club
Some activities cannot resume until a more lenient phase of transition is allowed by the responsible governmental authority or the activity can be conducted without gathering. Some of these activities are the following:
- Softball
- Visits to Dog Park
- Club organized group Hiking or Birding
- Club organized group cycling
- Club or group organized social events at the Pavilion(s)
- Farmers Market
- WOW Bookmobile
- Outdoor Pools and Spas
Indoor activities
CA INDOOR facilities will continue to remain closed at this time. INDOOR activities have different and more difficult issues to resolve, and guidance from the CA Board and staff are still a work in progress. We are now beginning to receive some guidance from the State on how to reopen indoor facilities. The bottom line is, we are in the early stages of developing INDOOR guidelines for a complex set of situations.
Approvals, revisions and other considerations and challenges
- The CA Board reviews and approves each transitional guideline but must also obtain the approval of the County and Pulte before the approval process is complete.
- Community outdoor restrooms and drinking fountains will remain closed due to the challenge of keeping them regularly sanitized. However, with the reopening of many of the outdoor activities, provisions have been made to have a limited number of community restrooms open and cleaned regularly.
- Residents have the responsibility of bringing their own water (and ice) to activities.
- The wearing of masks is a club choice.
- It is expected that each club or group will notify and include a copy of their approved transitional guidelines to their membership and post a copy on their respective websites.
- Each club or group has been asked to provide a monitor or leader to facilitate the observance of the respective club’s transitional guidelines.
- No spectators will be permitted at club activities.
- Some clubs (Corvette and Rod and Gun) have provided transitional guidelines to their members for them to observe when enjoying activities away from the Sun City Texas.
- Situations will change; each guideline has a revision date included in its heading. When a club needs to make a revision to their guideline, the new revised document needs to be resubmitted to the CA Board for its approval.
