Sneak Peek: Saluki Recreation
 

Meet Saluki Recreation Center and Shady Brook Recreation Area, coming soon to The Villages, as John Rohan shares all that is coming to these two locations for Villagers to enjoy.

From the popular outdoor courts and amenities to the dog themed interiors to honor Villagers’ love for dogs.

The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community

All the rec centers throughout the Villages are nearly identical. Which is great! Every resident has the same amenities close to their home. However, I wish they would stop decorating the interiors childishly. I know residents love their pets but do they really need to look at hundreds of pictures of cartoon dogs and nauseating wallpaper while playing pool or darts? I would much prefer simple and classy. I refuse to go into some of them because of the decor. Did they really believe a pink and green rec center filled with watermelon pictures and decor would interest male residents? Or a fish theme would please females? Just keep them SIMPLE AND CLASSY. A place where all residents can kick back and enjoy. STOP THE THEMES.

Ah come on......suck it up Bucko!

Point well taken. But still believe simple and classy would interest more residents. Maybe invest in better seating in the art rooms or something along that line. An overabundance of interior decor is not needed or useful. In fact, some of the large floor decor items make it harder for many of the elderly to maneuver around. I know a few who get dizzy continually forced to look at the patterned wall paper.

Do you really mean what you are posting?

If they painted all the walls tan and hung nothing on the walls and placed nothing on the floor……..I can’t imagine what your complaints would be then…….

This is just silly!

Who said anything about tan walls and nothing hanging? I recommended keeping it simple and classy. That doesn't mean NO DECOR. If you like the interiors, I hear you! Glad you are pleased. I am simply giving my opinion. I am not a fan of overly decorated rooms. Especially pastel and cartoonish.

And yes, those who use walkers or canes have a hard time maneuvering around some of the large floor items. I have assisted a few by sliding the items to the side. If they are simply decorations and not furniture, I do not see a needed purpose. Others have vertigo or bad eyesight. Repeating small patterns on the wallpaper make them dizzy. I have helped a few to the door.

I like your idea, kick the "themes" because it's getting to be a real stretch to come up with new ones ! Nothing against dogs, had MANY over the years and various breeds, but an entire recreation (relaxation) center with a decor of "dogs", no thanks, even if it's my favorite breed. Maybe, if we MUST "theme" every center, maybe use the various decades ? 50's culture, 6o's culture, 70' 80's, etc. I find Disney's Pop culture resort hotel interesting for the same reason, that might work here. Or, why not go through the "Florida culture" from the Native Americans (haven't seen one rec center or regional center themed for any/all of the Native American tribes that have such a rich and interesting culture in historic Florida, or to the "crackers" with their cattle that made Florida such an economic success, or the Greek families who developed the sponge diving, Florida's authors like Marjory Rawlings, The Yearling ? The famous artists of Florida beginning with The Highway Men ? But, dogs it is, so be it ! ? Nothing to get up set about but so many more interesting themes to explore ! Personally, I like the "comfortable, classy, relaxing" Idea !

Another major disappointment, when the he11 are they going to build another sports pool. Golf and sports pools are seriously lacking in the new areas. Only three very busy sports pools in the new area (Spanish Moss, Everglades, and Ezell) are inadequate compared to the sports pools per rooftops in the northern area.

I guess I mispoke. It's not really themes I hate. Some of your ideas are wonderful. It's the OVERDO! Tone it down! Make it simple and classy. And, remember that you are decorating for SENIOR CITIZENS. No childish cartoon decor. And, keep it comfortable and easily manueverable for those with medical conditions. I'm not quite at that age, but for the money spent, I'd rather have nice chairs that support my back and sturdy adjustable stools. I can live without life-size cut outs of Bogey and Bacall, or a fake watermelon stand. But, maybe some want those things for selfies.

Like you said, it is, what it is! Pastel blue dog wallpaper, cartoon dog tiles, dogs, dogs, and more dogs, as far as the eyes can see! Pretty soon, cats, cats, and more cats! Some residents will most likely want their favorite pet honored, as well. Do I hear a vote for horses? Alligators?

Well if anyone is look for a nondescript rec center, then Saluki, is it on the outside. It’s brown ish, other than the sign it could pass for a storage building.

So what may be over the top inside, definitely didn’t make its way outside. Maybe exterior wasn’t competed when we drove by after design homes in MC

Corn Toss area looks like a Saluki Cemetery from aerial photos!

While I admit that I don’t understand why there is a recreation center honoring watermelons, I’ve been there half a dozen times and find it amusing. I love the decorating in the rec centers. Thanks to those who work so hard to give us pleasure.

I recall reading when that rec center was built. It had been a former watermelon farm that the family bought and wanted to honor thru the interior decor.

I haven't seen that one yet.

I love the theming of the rec centers. The designers do a great job.

The solution you describe seems drab and boring. If this is your biggest problem you are very lucky!

Take a moment to enjoy what TV had to offer. We are very blessed to live in such an amazing place!

Seems like we’re getting pretty deep into the bucket of things to whine about. We absolutely enjoy visiting the various rec centers and checking out the way they’re decorated.

The variations of decor are a great treat when you enter each one. Sure beats going to the same place over and over.

I’m impressed that Saluki will feature a pinball machine as an amenity. Hopefully more will show up in the future in other rec centers.

I love the ideas of historical themes ; Native Americans, Greek sponge divers, etc.

How about a few more golf courses!!!! Now thats an idea!!!!
Your selling us a golf course community, but not building golf courses…… stop the bull$hit!!!

Really? There's a new Driving Range, and Teaching Academy as well as over 100 new holes and a dozen new courses in progress.

There's a golf course (or 3) in work within 1/4 mi from most any place you live around Eastport.

Here's an idea, keep up to date on what is going on...

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...ourses-350435/

Older info:

Continuing The Dream: Volume 15

I happen to agree.

LOVE the themes! And actually the newest rec centers are quite different from the older centers. They have more than just billiards tables in the game room. They have billiards, table shuffleboard, darts, video games, ping pong tables, and this new one has a pinball machine and foosball table. The rec center nearest me (Water Lily) only has billiards, which is a bummer. Hope they update the older centers eventually. Can’t wait to go to this newest one next week.

Not sure about the pinball machine. It’ll be popular I think, so how long before anyone using that center for other purposes like classes, meetings, etc, will lose their minds from the constant noise of the machine. Should be interesting. That’s the only thing I question though, everything else new they’re adding is very cool. I hope there’s a cat themed rec center next, lol.

The FACTS don't back up your OBSERVATIONS

Location/Sports Pools/Homes Per Sports Pool
North of 466/3/22,010
South of 44/3/19,429
South of 466/4/23,200
South of 466A/2/13,774

We're doing just fine South of 44 (just like we are OK with holes of golf) and the announced construction down here is going to keep us going just fine.

Go Dwags . SIU Salukis

Eastport will have a sports pool.

Excellent post!

All this time I thought a Saluki was a Japanese motorcycle. What a disappointment.

I'm really not a fan of wallpaper. I'm fine with trim at the ceiling, or chair-rail trim, floor trim, window/door trim. Just not wallpaper covering every square inch of the wall.

Rather, I'd love a color-coordinated, non-specific trim (maybe a stripe, or solid, or geometric-shaped pattern) to highlight a vaulted ceiling - and then use hanging artwork and interesting displays in cabinets to define a theme.

An idea - movie posters from the first year moving pictures had them, through the 1950's. You could have reproduction costumes and jewelry and accessories displayed. Like Marilyn Monroe's white pleated halter dress that blew up over her legs in the Seven Year Itch, or Dorothy's basket for Toto from the Wizard of Oz, a pack of Bogey's cigarettes with the lighter he used in the Maltese Falcon, the Pharoah's headpiece from the 10 Commandments...

Another theme could be a 1950's diner or soda fountain, complete with jukebox and soft-serve ice cream machine, black and white checker floor tiles, red padded booths and cushioned chairs around flecked formica-topped tables, 45rpm records and sleeves from the 50's decorating the walls.

An entire group of rec centers could be dedicated to different countries. India, Mexico, Scotland, Japan, Greece, Germany, Sweden. With maybe one wall in the main hall painted to depict a scene outside the facade of a window, in the trompe l'oeil style.

Nice ideas!

Could be an interesting thread to start - "New Rec CenterTheme Ideas"?

I do like the 50’s diner theme idea. Also I think one dedicated to the drive-in movie craze of the 50’s and 60’s would be cool but I’m not sure how to pull that off.

Great ideas. They all would tone down the busy and pastel decor and are appropriate for elderly residents. I like high ceilings with accents. The type when you walk in, gaze up, and they take your breath away. There are many classy ways to introduce a theme without splashing it all over every inch of the walls. Paradise Rec Center would benefit from these ideas.

On top of the World Community in Clearwater used the countries theme. Took it over the top. Looks like the Disney Ride, It's a Small World, on steroids. Yet, Epcot delivers it well. Classy will always remain in style. I enjoy staying at famous hotels and dining at older restaurants for this reason. Nostalgic but done with flair.

Many might be happy with stable tables that don't squeak. With comfortable chairs that have wheels. With good lighting all the way to the tables near walls. With the insulated orange/red water coolers that get washed every day. With ice makers that get emptied and washed (at least) every week.
Priorities seem out of whack. Spending money on expensive designer lipstick instead of on the things people use every day.

Good chance the machine sounds will be muted or silenced so as not to bother others. We’ll see!

Just hope the machine is properly maintained for longevity.

If I take Marsh Bend Trail south from Warm Springs Avenue, is it open all the way to the Saluki Rec Center?

Not yet, that MMP is in work, 75% complete.

For now, MBT to Mc Neill to Bexley to Central Parkway to MBT to Saluki will get you there.

About 20 min from Magnolia Plaza

That is my point. If you are going to spend money, buy items that are needed and comfortable for the residents. Not an overload of dog decor!

I will be traveling by car, not golf cart. Is your answer the same?

Marsh Bend Trail is open all the way down although there are frequent lane closures during the day as the work on expanding the road south of MCNeil

Then MBT will work.

You might want to take the route previously given either there or the way back to see what is going on around Eastport.

If you go to the sales center in Sawgrass, they will give you some nice maps and other info about the new areas, including the Saluki Rec Center.