Publisher Alan Cruikshank recently asked us to offer ideas for a “vision” for our downtown, but a letter written by Sandi Gunning the same issue said it all.

“It’s difficult to be a kid here – this town is not and has never been as kid friendly as it should have been.”

A public swimming pool was my cause when we built the high school, and decades later it still is my cause.

After raising four sons, hockey became the next addiction – golf came next and now, being involved with horses, I see the total value that these activities provide, for people of all ages, especially kids.

My vision?

A sports complex – dig a deep hole for a hockey arena and a swimming pool on the ground level.

The complex could have stores – nail shops, laundromat, sports car, one-screen movie theater, video game room, swap shop, poker room, sports equipment stores and more.

Also, a place to display art, daycare center, outlet shops, restaurants – things to do while the kids skate, swim and others benefit. A gathering place where you don’t have to drive miles and miles to get there…

Many ways can be explored to finance this type of project.

To make Fountain Hills a “habit” has, in my opinion, potential, and it would not be just for kids, it could be for all of us!