The canvas roof on the covering in front of Community Hall is being replaced with a metal one to match the new roof on the building. Penny Fletcher photos.
The Sun City Center Community Association reopened Community Hall and the Rollins Theater Sept. 1 after a multimillion dollar renovation project that is still ongoing. Community Hall had been closed since May 4.
Begun more than two years ago with the money already in its coffers, the association is still paying as it goes, taking out no loans, so that residents’ dues will not be affected, said association president David Floyd.
With parking lots and lighting renovated and the main Cherry Hills complex updated and repainted so that all the buildings’ outside paint matches; offices and club rooms redone; the Rollins Theater refurbished; and a new Welcome Center built; the project is still not finished.
“The ‘café au lait and biscuit’ tones modernized and gave them [the buildings in the main complex] a unified appearance,” said Floyd from his golf cart as he rode through the complex, describing the effect of the overall changes. “It made it look more like a campus.”
Two “paver paths” are planned; one will lead from the new Welcome Center to Swan Lake, where an old-fashioned swing will be placed for quiet sitting overlooking the water. The second path will lead to a fountain that will be constructed to the south of the building, visible from North Pebble Beach Boulevard and the center’s grounds.
The wall of new warming ovens will enable groups to prepare foods for events at home and keep them warm until serving time when meeting in the newly renovated rooms.
Inside Community Hall, the main room has new oak plank flooring; there’s an updated men’s room with all-new fixtures and tile flooring; the ladies’ room has been expanded, adding more stalls and sinks and redecorated; and 975 new chairs were purchased.
All-new appliances have been installed, including two large stainless-steel refrigerators to stand next to the freezer; open burners; warming ovens; and a coffee center that makes pots of coffee so fast that groups won’t run out, Floyd said.
The outside of Community Hall is getting a new metal roof over the front where the canvas extension had been.
“lt will match the new roof [also replaced during this renovation] on the building and have a 30-year guarantee,” said Floyd, referring to the port-cochère extending from the lobby to the circular drive in front.
The parking lot will now hold 200 cars and have LED lighting with sensors that will come on automatically between dusk and 11 p.m., and, after that, come on as individual cars come in.
The parking lot is also being landscaped.
Both Community Hall and the Rollins Theater have whole new looks; the stairs to the stage in Community Hall were made safer by adjusting the steps so they are of equal height; color schemes in both buildings are now bright and cheery; and chairs from the Hall have been refurbished and moved to the theater to give it a modernized look that will go with the lighter-colored walls and carpet.
There have been many improvements to the Rollins Theater.
Inside the Rollins Theater, the restrooms have been updated as well, bringing them also to ADA [disabilities] standards, making them easily accessible for people with walkers and in wheelchairs.
The theater restrooms, which used to be only for Performing Arts Club members, are now open to any group or individuals using the theater so they do not have to walk outside the theater to the main complex to use the restroom.
After the association took over management of the Rollins Theater from the Performing Arts Club in May 2015, it began the renovation, which is now complete, and is booking new shows.
“It was pretty drab and dreary,” Floyd said, “so we decided to completely rejuvenate it.”
The Performing Arts Club is no longer a part of the association; it has been operating on its own since May.
Floyd, who was in charge of the association’s Joint Planning group prior to becoming president of the association, said the revamping that has been done was long overdue, and he is glad it has gone this far this fast.
Residents walking through Community Hall agreed.
“I just love it. I think it’s beautiful,” said MaryAnn Fitzpatrick as she walked through Community Hall Sept. 4. Fitzpatrick says she has been a “snowbird” since 2001 and has just now begun to live year-round in Sun City Center. “I just live across the street, and I came in to see how things turned out,” she said.
Besides the work done on Community Hall and the Rollins Theater, the new Welcome Center, which is manned by volunteers, is modern and yet has many items of historical value and interest.
“It isn’t just for visitors. We answer questions and help address questions from the community,” said Roz Cruthis, who volunteers there.
The previous Welcome Center building now gives space to Disabled American Veterans Chapter 110 and Lifeline, which used to operate in a back room of the center.
Now each organization has a large area where it can expand its services to residents.
Veterans wanting help with their benefits, or people wanting to volunteer with the DAV, can call 813-642-2047.
Lifeline can be reached at 813-633-7091.
Those who want to keep up with the SCC Community Association or its renovation of commonly owned property may visit the main office at 1009 N. Pebble Beach Blvd. or call 813-633- 3500.
