Cheers! MY TIME WITH LEISURE WORLD

It’s hard to believe I’ve been with Leisure World for almost 20 years. I was part of the 40th and am now coordinating the 50th anniversary celebrations. It was June 2003, when I first interviewed and accepted the Fitness Supervisor position and started working for the Association on August 3, 2003. Working out of the Recreation Office, I began researching what and how the other Leisure World’s fitness centers were ran to help with planning the opening of our fitness center while it was still under its final stages of construction. There was a ton of support from my then director, Jan Zale and the rest of the community in anticipation for the new fitness center which opened its doors September 8, 2003. Our initial daily usage was more activity per day than they had in an entire month with the old facilities. With just myself to supervise a 10,000 sq. ft. gym, my volunteer force grew to around 75 residents between helping behind the front desk to help oversee sign-ins and other administrative task and floor monitors to assist residents with equipment setup and overseeing safety on the main floor. This allowed me to offer 4-6 group orientations (1012 people each) daily introducing residents to the facility and its equipment.

During the first year of operations, I added services for fitness assessments, personal training included transitioning of contract trainers from old gyms over to the new facility, group exercise classes, and massage therapy, hire a second staff person and had my 3rd child. Over the next few years, we launched an internship program (2005), started hosting a biennial Wellness Fair (2007), and introduced the Power Plates (2008). Expansions in programming and other activity offerings brought growth in the fitness team and my eventual promotion to Director of Wellness (2010). This required oversight of the Health Office, and short time later to include the supervising the Outreach Office, and relocating the Health Office next to gym and moving massage rooms to old vending area. This new experience was challenging and enjoyed guiding improved processes, health services, and educational presentations.

It wasn’t until Jan Zale, Recreation Director retired (2018) that I was asked to take over for her and combine the Recreation and Wellness departments, becoming Lifestyle Director. I once again found this transition in the organization exciting and a new opportunity to grow. Immersing myself into events planning, the entertainment field, and systems learning of a new department, I found great support in my management and department teams to bring new talent, events, and ideas to compliment the already successful things being offered.

Running strong with 2 years under my belt with Recreation and a major update in Fitness with flooring and paint, COVID hit bringing all programming fun and momentum to a halt. Working through the ever-changing pandemic limitations and the community frustrations with it was very difficult, but we seem to be emerging out the other side. This season we are finally seeing better participation in club and association produced events and activities. Although residents are still holding off to register at the last minute, possibly to make sure they and friends remain healthy up to the date to attend, we are seeing most classes, trips, and special events offered run successfully.

Insight To Recreation Facility Modernizations

The addition of the fitness center to the Recreation 1 Complex was just the start of a 10-year master plan to renew and improve activities and function to the community which included repurposing the previous genderseparate fitness rooms, constructing a new Rec. 3 and Craft Building, and remodeling Rec. 2. At Recreation 1, a portion of the women’s fitness room was divided to make the classroom larger and the other half plus locker room space is now the current Recreation Office. The men’s locker room was transposed into both men/women’s restrooms by the pool and the men’s fitness area remodeled to allow the computer center to be moved and for the woodshop to expand and thus giving life to the Sewing Room. Recreation 3 was next giving life to a new and improved Heron Lakes Golf Pro Shop, addition of the Apache and Navajo Rooms and second parking lot (after the old building was demolished). By building a new craft facility and moving these activities out, Recreation 2 went through an overhaul with improved Coyote Run Pro Shop, larger café facilities, redesign of the entire pool area, and addition of a Music Room and Pavilion to the complex. Inserted into this Plan, late in the game, was the new tennis complex and addition of 8 pickleball courts with a grand opening during the 40th anniversary festivities in 2013. Since this time, a few other big projects that have occurred are Rec 1 pool resurfacing and pool deck replacement, billiards room remodeled, and fitness flooring upgrade.

Having a master plan allows the community to come together with interests and ideas to research and develop the vision of what’s to come. I am hopeful under the 2023 budget that our community’s dreams and next master plan come to fruition.

Leisure World Family

My family grew up Leisure World coming to and helping me with events over the years. At first they came to participate in the multi-generational programs like the Easter Egg Hunt and Santa Parade. As they grew, they came to volunteer as helpers in events like expos/fairs, egg hunt games, and 5K run. My daughter even came to work for Leisure World for a few years before spreading her wings to follow her heart and dreams.

Leisure World is family – both employees and residents. In my time with Leisure World, I’ve worked with and become close to many great people across departments and within the community. Together we create the best place to work and live – through property, facilities, offerings, and communications. It is because of this care and feeling that when approached to fill in as Operations Manager, I said, “Yes – whatever is needed in order for us/Leisure World to prosper.” During the interim station, I became more aware, involved, and gained deeper understanding to how all the departments work in keeping Leisure World functioning, beautiful and strong in the competitive active adult housing market. Love for this community and association is what made me accept the position permanently.

I am very thankful to be celebrating with you! Showcasing each recreation center over the 3-day celebration, I hope you will find something that interests you. I also look forward to your continued progress and modernization in the years to come in order for our community to stay relevant and inviting to current and future residents.