When the Prairie Lodge parking lot renovation project is completed next spring, there will be more handicapped-accessible spaces, more golf cart spaces, and more than 720 total spaces. That’s over 150 more than are available now.
Cars park along a temporary line in the parking lot in front of Prairie Lodge. Plans for the parking lot include changing diagonal spaces in front of Jamesonâs and Whisper Creekâs pro shop to perpendicular spaces to create more room. (Photo by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)
This is the âlight at the end of the tunnelâ promise made by the Sun City association staff as the first and largest phase of the project moved toward completion this fall. Curbs and sidewalk areas are being upgraded, landscaped islands are being relocated, and underground drainage facilities are being renovated. The entire lot will also be resurfaced and re-striped.
The association is using reserve funds for this work. Cost of the project has been estimated at about $1.1 million, but it is expected to come in under budget, according to Bill Pennock, executive director of the Sun City Community Association.
âWe have $500,000 set aside annually for 2012, 2013, and 2014,â he said. âWe have an opportunity to complete the work all at once. It is not known what the exact cost will be until it is complete. Another benefit to completing the work all at once is to minimize the impact to the membership by getting in and doing 100 percent of the work and not spreading it out over a three-year period.â
By the time residents read this report, normal access to Jameson’s restaurant and the Whisper Creek golf pro shop should be restored.
Asphalt resurfacing and striping will be done next spring, and the timetable depends on the weather, Pennock said.
âWe have tried to get as much done this fall to minimize the impact for next year. The weather is the caveat for the project to start again in the spring,” Pennock said. “If we have another favorable spring like last year, the work will be done well in advance of June; if the weather does not cooperate, it could go into June. Either way, the project should be completed by mid-June.â
Spaces will be changed to perpendicular in front of Jameson’s and the golf shop, but will remain angled in other areas of the lot, Pennock added.
While traffic patterns will be changed throughout the project, access to the lot will never be totally shut down, Pennock said.
âTraffic patterns will be established next spring in advance of the initiation of the work, and the membership will be given advance notice of any closures,” he said. “The mission is to get the work completed as quickly and safely as possible with minimal impact to residents.â
Site plans showing the improvements planned for this project are on display in the Fountain View Center and near the former CAM desk location in Prairie Lodge.
