Fountain Hills needs a focus. We say we want to attract young families, but we build nursing homes downtown. We tout our “Dark Skies” policy, but install a ring of bright lights around the lake. Now we’re off on a tangent about a lagoon.

We need to find a focus and stick with it, and I think Debra Nolen suggested a good one in a recent post on Fountain Hills Connection. She said, “Is anyone introducing the idea of an arts center…a sustainable arts and conference center or boutique convention center that markets to corporate meetings and the arts in general and reflects the class and dignity Fountain Hills represents…dance, music, medical research, boutique resort with a five-star chef—these ideas bring people in…think Tanglewood, Chautauqua, Laguna, Spoleto, Aspen.”

Could we unite around this idea? We already have momentum. The new owner at CopperWynd is building with the aim of creating a world-class resort. We have a love of the arts with our award-winning theater and two large annual art fairs. This fall Mayo is opening a medical school at the Shea facility; we could become a destination for medical conferences.

With our magnificent views and proximity to Sky Harbor, it could work!