Log in

Neighbors

Signs of the past

Fine dining in Sun City at the Lakes Club

Posted 10/2/21

John Meeker wanted to give prospective purchasers a taste of the social life in Sun City that was more impressive than entertaining them at the local coffee shop.

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor
Neighbors

Signs of the past

Fine dining in Sun City at the Lakes Club

Posted

John Meeker wanted to give prospective purchasers a taste of the social life in Sun City that was more impressive than entertaining them at the local coffee shop.

That led to creation of a private dining facility and social club overlooking Viewpoint Lake. Completed in early 1972, the Lakes Club boasted a cocktail lounge, sunken bar and a dining room seating 204 people with space for dancing. Additional rooms were available for private dining, and a 500-capacity ballroom served as a venue for major social events.

Expense seemed secondary as the building featured a copper façade, marble in the bathrooms and many other luxurious design features. When the Webb Corp. board toured the completed building, then-president R. H. Johnson was incensed at the extravagance and fired John Meeker! Learning of this action, Del Webb stepped in and rescinded the order, saying simply, “We need Johnnie!”

A month before its scheduled grand opening, a spectacular fire consumed the facility. A plumber’s torch had ignited a strip of tarpaper causing the fire. Damage was in excess of $3 million. DEVCO commenced rebuilding as soon as the debris was cleared away — and it was rebuilt without any corners being cut!

Membership in the Lakes Club was limited to Sun City homeowners, plus local business and professional people. Initial membership fees were $200 per family and membership was limited to 800. Later, this was expanded to 1,200. Emphasis was on elegance, quality food and exceptional service.

The club’s popularity among business people led to a major addition in 1995 known as the Metropolitan Club. Membership was open to business and professional people from the West Valley, and soon had 174 members.

Demographic changes over the next decade led to dwindling membership of residents, and the building was sold to Roskamp/Sun Health at the end of 2002. They built the Lakes Medical Center on a portion of the property. The former Lakes Club building has become an extension of Grand Canyon University, offering education, nursing and health care courses leading to bachelors and masters degrees.

Editor’s Note: Ed and Loretta Allen recently moved to Royal Oaks in Sun City. They have been active in the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum for many years.