Growth squeezes GVR’s facilities, forces planning

In the next five to 10 years, Green Valley Recreation is expected to change a lot, squeezed by surrounding population growth, hit by soaring energy costs, and changes of what the members might want.

Growth of Sahuarita and Tubac and even Tucson may put more pressure by others to use GVR’s facilities. Crime and vandalism may also increase.

Soaring energy costs is already squeezing GVR’s budget.

And people who are coming to Green Valley are wanting facilities and programs not imagined 20 years ago.

Those are some of the findings in GVR’s new strategic plan adopted by the board of directors Tuesday.

Mac Gearhart outlined the plan. He is chair of the strategic plan subcommittee. Other members are Dave Burbank, Diane Earnest, Leon Lies and Jon Otto.

Green Valley, and GVR, are expected to stop growing in about 10 years when houses have filled all the available land here.

“The historical trend of 300 new homes coming into GVR per year should cease in about 10 years,” said the plan.

Builders now pay $2,064 to GVR for every new house sold in its boundaries.

There are now more than 12,500 member houses within GVR’s boundaries.

Annual dues of about $385 per household bring in about $4.8 million.

Most of that goes to maintain facilities including a dozen centers, swimming pools, tennis courts, and to pay for programs including social events, entertainment, classes, clubs, work shops and equipment.

The average age of a GVR member is 68 to 70, Gearhart said, adding that’s not expected to change much.

But will the newcomers, including baby boomers, be as active as volunteers as the current residents.

Voluntarism makes Green Valley and GVR go.

Besides helping at GVR, volunteers help Country Fair White Elephant, the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers program, the library and many other things.

In the report, there were concerns that younger retirees won’t be as active as volunteers.

But it noted, “The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that ‘Boomers’ currently volunteer at a rate higher than any other generation.”

It added, “it will be the challenge of GVR to ensure as ‘Boomers’ retire they continue to volunteer.”

Today’s retirees are often healthier and more active than their predecessors, meaning more people using the local facilities.

Escalating energy costs and escalating construction costs are already pinching GVR.

One unknown on the horizon is possible incorporation of Green Valley and how it might affect GVR.

One of the things seen as necessary for the future is a large auditorium.

The largest currently is at West Center. It seats up to 500.

And that raises another problem, where would all the cars need to park?

One other problem—when Green Valley approaches “final build out” the organization “can longer rely on builder and developer advertising to market GVR.”

jlamb@gvnews.com | 547-9749