The Huntley Farmside

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The HimtleY Famiside
Thursday, April 16,1998
A Press Publications newspaper /ir serving tlie Huntley community
Volume 37 Issue 53
Village approves Sun City project
Office/recreation center will boost local economies, population
Steve Brosinski
Press Pubfications
Construction of Del Webb's Sun City moved a major step closer from a concept communi¬ ty to becoming a reality April 2.
The Village Board approved the first phase of the 1,800-acre project, giving tlie go ahead for construction of an 87,000- square-foot s.ales office/'/recre- ation center, tlie construction of Del Webb Boulevard and the first neighborhood.
"Building permits have yet to be issued", project manager Tom Riordan said.
Bulldozer operators removed a remaining farm structure Friday as they prepared for con¬ struction of over 5,000 homes.
Village President James Dhamer said the long-awaited development will be a benefit to all village taxing districts.
"I think it is very important to the   town,   the   schools   and
parks," Dhamer said.
Dhamer said he was aware of a bill that passed in the Illinois Senate that would allow resi¬ dents of the subdivision to drive golf carts on public roadways. Sun City officials lobbied Sen. Dick Klemm, R-Crystal, for passage of a law similar to ones passed in Sun City communities in other states.
"We don't have any problems with this, so long's they stay within the subdivision," he said.
Representatives at Del Webb's sales office at the Huntley Factory Shops said business was brisk.
"It's unbelievable, we have almost 7,500 people on our mailing list in Hundey. People are very eager," hostess Dottie Crowthers said.
Prices on the single-family homes will range from the $100,000s.
Although Sun City develop¬ ments cater to seniors 55 and
older, the 72,000-square-foot recreation center is geared towards active persons.
Facilities include a walking track above an indoor pool, health and fitness rooms, a com¬ puter room, ballroom, two restaurants and a golf pro shop.
"This is for an active retire¬ ment community," Crowthers said.
When it's completed develop¬ ers are proposing to construct an 18-hole golf course,
walkingZ/biking trails and a 30- acre fishing pond.
"We are really in a prelimi¬ nary stage, sales have not begun yet," said Harriet Ford, public and community relations man¬ ager.
With an anticipated growth in over 8,000 residents, just from Sun City alone, the village's population is expected to almost quadruple from the 3,108 citi¬ zens in a 1997 special census.
Excitement already being generated among local citizens over Sun City
Waiting list begins as development gears toward construction
Steve Brosinski
Press Publications
Charles Clendenin may be 80 years old, but he hasn't given any thought to slowing down anytime soon.
Clendenin was among of scores of people inquiring at Del Webb's sales, office at the Huntley Factory Shops this week.
"From the information I received, we are very interest¬ ed," said Clendenin of Indian Head Park. "I am 80 years old and I do like the idea of having a swimming pool nearby."
Though a bit younger than Clendenin, Jim and Nancy Morbeck of Cary agreed that it was the facilities for older, but active, seniors that attracted them to Sun City in Huntley.
"I've seen the other commu¬ nities and they are wonderful. It's a lifestyle," Jim said.
The Morbecks considered moving to Sun City in Las Vegas," but declined because of the distance from family.
"He was ready to move there, but I didn't want to move so far away from family," Nancy said.
As Del Webb's first four-sea¬
son community, the company is focusing on seniors who want to retire but stay close to home.
Right now the Clendenins' and Morbecks' names are placed on waiting lists, until developers make final decisions on the development, which is slated to begin in June.
Without much advertising, word of the first Sun City com¬ munity up North has spread like wildfire throughout the Chicago area.
"They have been around for a long time, and they have a respected name," Rick Johns of Lake in the Hills said.
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A heavy-equipment operator uses a bulldozer to move debris from the last structure demolished on Friday. On April 2, the village approved the first stage of Del Webb's Sun City. Construction can start on Del Webb Boulevard, an 87,000-square-foot sales office/recreation center, and the first neighborhood.
Women at the Well to meet on April 16
Every woman who goes through a painful and costly divorce thinks that her expe¬ rience is unique. Many times she loses her home, her life savings, and her most pre¬ cious possessions, her chil¬ dren. But this is not a unique experience. Many women have the scars from property and custody battles burned into their souls. They feel powerless. They feel that the entire process is a chess game, and they are the pawns.
Women at the Well is a non-profit organization dedi¬ cated to educating and help¬ ing women who feel power¬ less and victimized. The group helps through educa¬ tion,  networking and sup¬
port. They are sponsoring a Town Meeting to discuss the perils of going through the divorce court justice system. They would like for any woman who has had a prob¬ lem with pensions, no fault divorce, hidden assets, distri¬ bution of marital property, judges and lawyers, (includ¬ ing system delays and attor¬ ney-client relations), the eco¬ nomic value of homemaking, insurance and custodial issues to come to the meeting and share their experiences. This meeting will take place at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Avenue, at 7 p.m. on April 16.
If you have any questions, please call (815) 477-6696.