Come Visit the Horizon Room

Escape the summer heat and join us in the cool temperatures of the Horizon Room for good food and beverage. We need you!

The 2013 first quarter of operation for the Horizon Room has not met the mark of previous years. First quarter total food and beverage sales were $149,115.65 with expenses of $139,606.51 resulting in a profit of $9,509.14. The 2012 first quarter sales were $165,575.03 and a profit of $27, 084. Even though the first quarter of 2013 the Horizon Room operation has shown a profit, it was not as great a profit as in 2012.

During the summer, many SunBird residents leave which results in decreased sales. The profits of the first quarter are anticipated to help offset those negative months of summer operation. First quarter total food and beverage sales compared to 2012 decreased $16,459.38 (11%) (beer & liquor $12,134.16, food $4,325.22) consequently the profit has also decreased $17,574.86.

Study has been ongoing and continues regarding this matter. In meeting with SunBird Golf Club Inc. recently, they are also reporting a short fall in revenue for the first quarter. This is a result of frost delays and inclement weather this year. Food and beverage sales historically have closely paralleled the operation of the golf course. If golfers are not golfing due to weather or have long frost delays, they are not patronizing the Horizon Room as frequently or as long.

The cost of goods ratio (liquor, beer and food) has also increased. This could be a factor of a few other areas that are being studied. The cost of labor ratio has increased with the decline in total sales. The Board of Directors and Management is scheduling field trips and meetings with other similar communities this spring and summer. The purpose of these meetings is to see and learn how others are operating and look for ideas and areas for improvement.

To experiment with some ideas to increase sales, Thursday night dinners have been moved to Friday nights with an occasional Tuesday night dinner. Other changes are being considered and will be forthcoming to help increase future sales.

Project Review and Long Range Planning Committee

The bar in the Horizon Room will be relocated this summer from the east wall of the dinning area to the north wall. This will help the traffic flow in and out of the room and separate the bar from the main entrance area.

Four booths will be added to the solid south wall and a couple of new flat screen televisions will be installed. Along with this project, the committee has proposed plans to improve the decor of the dining area with new window coverings, valances, chair covers and other decorative items.

Some SunBird clubs and organizations have been approached about possibly donating money for this project to make the room more attractive. Individuals who would like to donate and have your name added to the list of others who have contributed can do so by dropping off, or mailing a check to the SunBird HOA. Indicate on the check that it is for the "Horizon Room Project". These projects have been approved by the Board of Directors to be done when the money is available. Thank you to all clubs and organizations and individuals who help out.

Annual Tree Trimming

The annual common area landscape tree trimming will begin the first of May. This work is contracted out to a professional tree trimming company who will access, prune and thin the several hundred common area trees.

The tree trimming may seem drastic, but is necessary to keep the trees balanced and prepared to better withstand the monsoon season storms. The hundred plus palm trees through out the area will be trimmed between June and July.

Strange Lights Spotted
at Night in SunBird

The night of May 1, 2013, many SunBird residents spotted strange colored lighted objects flying though the skies above SunBird.

Taking a closer look, residents saw several people on the golf course playing golf in the dark!

More Picture on Gallery Page

The SunBird Golf Club hosted a night golf tournament with a tee time at 8 p.m. Yes, that's right, p.m.

Over 60 golfers participated using lighted golf balls of various colors. The flag sticks were lighted and flashing at each of the holes as a target beacon.

The initial unidentified lights seen in the sky above SunBird were finally identified and all playing golf had a great time.

Riggs Road Entrance Safety

The Riggs Road entrance into SunBird can be very congested at times. Some may not understand how the traffic is controlled at this intersection.

When the traffic control light is red for east and west bound traffic, it will often begin first (if a vehicle is in the left turn lane) with a green permissible turn arrow for the west bound traffic to turn into SunBird.

Sometimes the east bound traffic, even though the light is red for them still, stop and continue turning into SunBird even though the west bound traffic turning arrow. Please be mindful of this when entering into SunBird at Riggs Road to minimize any confusion.

Kerby Farms Entrance Gate

The Kerby Farms/Cooper Road vehicle control entrance gate into SunBird is now in operation and working well.

This has been a project that has been requested and desired for years. However, the City of Chandler traffic engineering department would not approve it until recently. Cooper Road is considered to be a main arterial road with high traffic volume requiring greater space requirements for vehicle control gates. Hunt highway oddly enough is not considered to be a main arterial road even though it has a much higher volume of traffic. We met with the traffic engineers several times to discuss the fact that Cooper Road from mid way south between Riggs and Hunt Highway is very lightly traveled as it ends at Hunt Highway.

After further study and consideration, they agreed that the traffic is less at the south end of Cooper Road and finally approved the request with one stipulation, that this entrance would be for residents only with a remote control opener. We would like to thank the City of Chandler traffic engineering department for working with SunBird to complete this new vehicle gated entrance into SunBird.

New SunBird License Plates

SunBird has new license plates optional for homeowners to display on their vehicles. This is a great way to market SunBird and show your pride in your community.

The cost of the aluminum SunBird plates is only $5 available at the SunBird office.

Vehicle Gates &
Barrier Arm Safety

The vehicle control gates into and out of SunBird are there to control vehicular traffic.

At times, pedestrians and bicyclists have been observed following vehicles through the vehicle control gated areas.

This is extremely dangerous as well as being the cause of more congestion through these areas.

There are gates for pedestrians and bicyclists at each entrance or exit and can be accessed using your key. If you do not have a key, please stop by the SunBird office to purchase a key for $2. These pedestrian gates are a far more safe method of entering and exiting SunBird.

Please use the appropriate gates for entrance/exit into SunBird for your personal safety. Avoiding injury is a priority for all SunBird residents and guests.