The Littleton City Council annually requests a report from the Business/Industry Affairs Advisory Committee (BIACC) to help look at the long-range future of Littleton. In the 2005 report a vision of Littleton emerged in which an influx of young, talented people are "attracted to the recreational amenities which have made Littleton such a desirable town". These younger people in turn promote new development and economic activity in Littleton. As Littleton's population ages, it needs this influx of young, talented people, usually families with children. Currently Littleton is in competition with Highlands Ranch in attracting young families. Highlands Ranch is winning, in part because it has well-run and well-designed community recreation centers complete with swimming pools, tennis courts, meeting rooms, and weight rooms.

One community in Littleton is trying to use a grass roots effort to prevent their recreational center from being plowed under for more homes. The Southbridge Community and surrounding areas including Sunset Ridge, The Palisades, Shadycroft and the Heritage neighborhoods, total over 900 homes and many more than 500 children (Littleton Public Schools reported number). These families and children currently lack a swimming pool and tennis courts within walking and biking distance. The Southbridge Swim and Tennis Club, which was meant to provide that recreational amenity for over 900 homes is under contract to a developer who wants to put in 12 empty-nester homes.

When first operated by the Home Owners Association, although privately owned (the recreationally zoned land was mistakenly offered for sale through the bank to a private party), a swim team with 100 children competed in events. Tennis lessons were offered and many USTA tennis leagues played out on the courts. Over time, the owner failed to provide a safe environment, failed to provide upkeep to the courts and the area fell into disrepair. This owner has sold to a developer who will take out all of the neighborhood's recreational amenities, if the land is rezoned.

After sixteen years, the Southbridge neighborhood finally has a chance to buy back their recreational club. Several different options exist that would provide for purchasing the property for the community's benefit. A private investor is interested in purchasing Southbridge Recreational Center and running it as a semi-private club. Swim and tennis teams and lessons would be available. Volleyball courts and playground equipment for smaller children would be built. The club building would house community socials and racquetball courts.

Another option is for this to be purchased through an LLC (Southbridge Family Partnership LLC) where individual families who care to be equity owners in the property could put up approximately $2,000 each. With 200-250 partners, the club would be self sufficient while offering memberships to the community. This option would offer swim team and lessons, but turn the tennis courts to rollberblading in summer and ice hockey in winter. A clubhouse would also offer a community meeting place, exercise rooms and racquetball courts.

Either option or a combination of both would benefit the Southbridge and surrounding communities, and those residents and homeowners in future years. With either option or a combination of both, there are no financial obligations or special assessments to the neighborhood . Those who wish to join, would purchase a reasonably priced membership. Those who declined to join would not be assessed any fee. Keeping the Southbridge Recreation facility will improve the value of our property and retain and attract younger families.

Flyers and petitions will soon be passed around the community by local volunteers and a neighborhood meeting offering details of the options will be held Friday September 29th at 6:15 p.m. at WorldVenture, 1501 W. Mineral Ave. (corner of Mineral and Windermere St.) Weekly meetings to block the rezoning effort of the developer will continue to be held. Southbridge has a history of neighbors banding together to successfully block undesirable density and to protect their community values.

Addendum: 9/13/2006 South Suburban Parks and Recreation recommended to the Littleton City Council that the Southbridge Swim and Tennis Club remain zoned as recreational.