Parker Strip Landmark Comes Down

[Boatcop]

We knew it was going to happen, but this week they started.
Sport's Valley is being demolished (either partially or completely) to make way for some condos.
That place had been my watering hole (in my drinking days) since the early 70's. I was on their dart team from 1978-1981. I had my wedding reception there in '81.
At that time it was owned by Don and Dottie Tonkavich. Don passed away in 1990 or so, Dottie still lives in the doublewide next door. When Don retired, he sold it to Jim and Jeannie Gehle who later sold it to Mike Williams. Mike was not the best businessman, and let it go into default, and when he went bankrupt, it went back to the Gehles.
They recently sold it to a local construction contractor, who at first considered re-opening the bar and restaurant. But after seeing how much work it would take to repair and remodel, he decided he would get away from the HOA BS that he had at Miraleste Shores, and just build some Condos for him to live in, and sell out the others.
Back in the day the most played song on the Juke was:
"You Don't Have to Call me Darlin'" (darlin') by David Alan Coe.
A sad time for the River.
[ March 27, 2003, 03:56 PM: Message edited by: Boatcop ]

[Party Cat]

RD's not gonna be happy when he see's this....... :( frown

[126driver]

THIS SUCKS! :mad: Years ago whenever we ran at Parker, EVERYONE would be there at night partying. We spent lots of - how should I put this - memorable evenings there. wink
Now everyone kind of spreads out and does their own thing. You can only take that casino cover band so long... :rolleyes:

[uvindex]

This is sad news (especially for BoatCop, sheesh a wedding reception there in 1981??!! :) )
I too have many fond memories of that place, mostly the mid-to-late 1990's. I remember taking the infamous Sports Valley water taxi to and from River Reflections -- since I was usually the designated boat driver, taking the water taxi gave me a great excuse to drink like a fish. I remember the Zima phase when all my buddies were ordering Zima's there with Chambord (Chambord in Zima = gay :) ) I remember playing pool on that tiny bar table when there was barely enough room to get by. I remember many, many Saturday night dinners there, all of us sunburned like lobsters and exhausted from being in the sun and drinking all day, but still having a great time. The prime rib was often pretty darn good! I remember the DJ who was there around '96 or so. She was kind of "butch" looking, but very nice and did a great job of keeping the dance floor filled. I remember the off-track betting, and dropping by during the day by boat to do a little wagerin'. When Sports Valley closed, I remember my friends and me all saying, "we should buy that place and open a strip club!" :)
RIP Sports Valley!

[LeE ss13]

What happened to the Parker 9 Hour Endurance Throphy ??? I remember going there in the '70s and getting a steak dinner for $6 that you cooked yourself and seeing it, (the Trophy not the steak), in the corner. Very cool ....

[Boatcop]

Did I say wedding reception in '81? Sorry, that ws supposed to be '79. My son was born in '81. (No, not at Sports Valley.)
The Enduro Trophy is at the Chamber of Commerce, I think.

[LeE ss13]

Alan ... you going to be around Bluewater next weekend for the races ??? If so, stop by. Also, can we do any open header testing on Friday up river? I know in the past they let us on a day before a race.

[missboatnam1]

that totally sucks!! :mad: cry :mad: cry

[126driver]

First, no more wet t-shirt contests at Roadrunner, now this. :mad: I also noticed a couple of months ago that 49'er Pizza is gone. That was our favorite Sunday evening stop before heading out of town. What's next? :rolleyes:

[Boatcop]

Alan ... you going to be around Bluewater next weekend for the races ??? If so, stop by. Also, can we do any open header testing on Friday up river? I know in the past they let us on a day before a race.
I don't know who "they" are, but the only time you can run uncorked is during the permitted time, and in the permitted area. Any other time you're just another recreational boat and must meet all regulations (registration, PFDs, Fire Extinguisher, etc)
For people who want to test their boats, there is a permit available from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. It allows a boat to be run with no mufflers during a certain time, and in a certain place. It applies to a specific boat, and not to a person to test several boats. The permit lets them run without mufflers, but they still must meet all other requirements.

[gigamurph]

That's depressin' news! I hadn't been there in over 30 years and when I heard that someone had bought it and was thinkin' of openin' it, I told the wifey that we'd have to hit it! Now....Just what the River needs, more condos. But then again, maybe it didn't need another place "manufacturin'" drunks to dodge on the water either! But condos? frown

[126driver]

LeE ss13:
Alan ... you going to be around Bluewater next weekend for the races ??? If so, stop by. Also, can we do any open header testing on Friday up river? I know in the past they let us on a day before a race. Larry, if I remember correctly all of the Parker sanctions the last few years have specifically stated that testing was NOT allowed on Fridays, and if any registered boat was caught testing they would be DQ'd. Now, obviously, that has never been enforced to my knowledge...

[Lightning]

Boatcop:
[QUOTE] .... Any other time you're just another recreational boat and must meet all regulations (registration, PFDs, Fire Extinguisher, etc) Alan,
Since summer is approaching, can you go over the required list of items that should be on a boat. Let me know if I missed anything...
throwable flotation
PFD for all passengers
registration
Fire Extinguisher
sober driver
Does the registration need to be an orignal or can it be a copy ? ? ? What else ? ? ?
[ March 28, 2003, 03:45 PM: Message edited by: Lightning ]

[coolchange]

Dam sad. When the Winners Circle closed that became the only place to get a SERIOUS meal.
Memories, misty colored da dad a da of my mind...

[LeE ss13]

126driver:
LeE ss13:
Alan ... you going to be around Bluewater next weekend for the races ??? If so, stop by. Also, can we do any open header testing on Friday up river? I know in the past they let us on a day before a race. Larry, if I remember correctly all of the Parker sanctions the last few years have specifically stated that testing was NOT allowed on Fridays, and if any registered boat was caught testing they would be DQ'd. Now, obviously, that has never been enforced to my knowledge... Testing is not allowed at the RACE SITE on Friday because of Insurance requirements. Testing up river is OK and long as you have one of those forms that BoatCop mentioned. You can get them from Cucci at Red Rock. I have used them before. Of course that was a few years ago.

[Thunderbutt]

One time in the early 70's I went in sports valley and here is my boss dancing nude. They kicked him out. He took of in his 24 Spectra and wound up in the weeds on the Ca. side.

[126driver]

RiverDave:
I think they were originally cancelling them, but they changed there mind. The bartenders have told me that they will be putting them on again.
I'll let you know when I get back this weekend if there was one or not.
RD If not, you may just have to get assertive and start your own. Think your neighbors would mind? :D

[126driver]

LeE ss13:
Testing is not allowed at the RACE SITE on Friday because of Insurance requirements. Testing up river is OK and long as you have one of those forms that BoatCop mentioned. You can get them from Cucci at Red Rock. I have used them before. Of course that was a few years ago. Yep. You're right.

[Boatcop]

You can get them from Cucci at Red Rock Don Cucci's permit was pulled several years ago, specifically for that reason.
The intent was for a single boat to be tested, or a manufacturer/builder to test his own boats. The permits specifically state where and when the test could take place. Usually Monday thru Friday (excluding Holidays), no more than 2 hours per boat, 2 hours per specified area,and in Cucci's case, within 1 mile of Red Rock.
Cucci was handing out photo copies to anyone that asked. His friends, guests, racers, etc. We had people on weekends, Holidays, all hours of the day and night, and in every area of the River flashing his permits. When AZGFD found out what he was doing, they revoked his permit (permanently). These people got a lot of tickets.
It's a good program which allows builders and racers to legitimately test their boats. BUt when the program is blatently abused and taken advantage of, it ruins it for the rest.
Tell you what. I'll pull the exhaust system and muffler off of my truck and drive full speed up and down in front of your houses at 5 AM. Better yet, I've got a lot of CART and NASCAR drivers as friends. I'll bring them and their cars with me. I'll bet someone calls the cops.
It's no different here. We live here. We have to work, usually weekends. And we don't like to get shaken out of bed anymore than YOU do.
It's all about respect and courtesy. Don't do anything here, you wouldn't want to be done on YOUR street.
[ March 28, 2003, 04:43 PM: Message edited by: Boatcop ]

[24ROD]

Hey Boat Cop, that is realy a bummer about sports valley. We also went there alot from the early 70s on.. It was good food and a great times. Matter of fact that's where my son 24RODjr cooked his first steak at about 4 years old. Wow how time flies!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work on the river. :cool:

[TCHB]

How many more homes can the Parker Strip take. I am sad to see more homes. The river is to small for the weekend crowds.

[126driver]

Boatcop:
[Don't do anything here, you wouldn't want to be done on YOUR street. Well, that leaves me wide open. :D wink j/k

[LeE ss13]

Boatcop:
It's a good program which allows builders and racers to legitimately test their boats. BUt when the program is blatently abused and taken advantage of, it ruins it for the rest. Wow .... where can a legitimate racer who has always followed the guidelines of "no more than 2 hours per boat, 2 hours per specified area ..." aquire one Friday the 4th of April???

[BILLY.B]

I completly understand the noise thing, "BUT" how is it that a 30ft offshore boat or an open exhausted outboard for that matter, can boat up and down the river with his boat over the 86 decibel limit(with water), but because he's not as obvious they can get by with it. Now Alan I know you can't get everyone and I can't even imagine all the A holes you come a cross, but with all the building going on it seems to me the only thing you will be able to use on the river will be a TED WILLIAMS aluminum fishing boat with a 10 h.p outboard on it, and thats only if the O.B. is a 4 stroke. I just don't understand how you can buy a house at the river and not expect it to be noisey. I think a starting time of lets say 8 a.m. till 6 p.m. wouldn't be that bad, would it? :confused: . The way I see it most of the people who are now buying homes/condos at the river (and complaning) went to the river years ago, had a lot of fun partying (Sports Valley)etc, river racing with there 18ft jet boat or old flattie, and now that they have a house there they don't want to here it. You made mention of driving your car with open exhaust down our streets, or getting your Nascar buddies to do the same, well the last time I checked I didn't buy my house next to the California Speedway, and if I had "BRING IT ON" :D

[SMFRiverRat]

Kind of like buying a house next to the airport and then complaining about the noise. :mad:

[boatnam2]

i with billyb,the river has been that way for a long time.i dont want some yahoo running his boat in front of my house at 4 in the morning but it is the river.im sure it is a lot more quiet in downtown parker or at big river.this happens in my business alot.i work in a refinery and people build houses right next to it then complain about the noise and smell and then they say i live here this is my home how would you like it how would you like it if i built a refinery next to your house.maybe im wrong but if i was going to live in parker which im going to someday and i buy a house on the water i know that there is going to be boat noise all the time in the summer.i know you have to deal with a lot of shit bc but the river is full of thousands of vactioneers in the summer and i can tell you the last thing they think about is if they go sking at 6 am will they be bothering the permanent residence.

[BILLY.B]

SMFRiverRat:
Kind of like buying a house next to the airport and then complaining about the noise. :mad: SMFRiverRAT, you and BoatNam2 are exactly right. I would also love to be living on the river, and hopefully someday I will, and I can guarantee you that I would be the last person complaning about the noise. Now boating on the river at night after the people have left the bars and are driving like mad men is a different story. To me this is far worse then the noise level of a few loud boats. I really doubt that a bunch quiet fishing boats can keep the economy going after they exclude us noise makers from boating on the river without a hefty FINE!!!. Besides I also know that my flatbottom is mantained far and above any of the normal boater who's boat might be quieter, and I always thought that saftey was a priority!!! :rolleyes: :cool:

[058]

I feel sorry for the river users as its only going to get worse. The more homes built on the river the more the noise regs are going to be enforced and beefed up. Before too long the only boat that will be allowed on the river will be sail boats. Here on the Delta anyone who owns riverfront property posts 5 mph signs because they don't want the wake and the noise and these are usually the same people who boated on the Delta before they bought their "little piece of paradise" Who the hell appointed them lawmakers of the Delta? :mad:

[Fired Up]

My earliest memories at the river were in the early to mid- 1960's at Sports valley. I remember the cabanas they had at the beach with refrigerators under them. I'd sit on the beach and dig up fresh water clams by the handfull. I also remember my uncles racing their new Guasti's in front of us....fast by old standards. Are there any more original places left?

[Fun One]

BILLY.B:
SMFRiverRat:
Kind of like buying a house next to the airport and then complaining about the noise. :mad: SMFRiverRAT, you and BoatNam2 are exactly right. I would also love to be living on the river, and hopefully someday I will, and I can guarantee you that I would be the last person complaning about the noise. Now boating on the river at night after the people have left the bars and are driving like mad men is a different story. To me this is far worse then the noise level of a few loud boats. I really doubt that a bunch quiet fishing boats can keep the economy going after they exclude us noise makers from boating on the river without a hefty FINE!!!. Besides I also know that my flatbottom is mantained far and above any of the normal boater who's boat might be quieter, and I always thought that saftey was a priority!!! :rolleyes: :cool: We are on your side in Parker. We paid out the Ass and found out we cant flip our boats when ever we wan. Mr Billy, I hope you dont hold any hard feelings . Its all good.

[Fun One]

BILLY.B:
SMFRiverRat:
Kind of like buying a house next to the airport and then complaining about the noise. :mad: SMFRiverRAT, you and BoatNam2 are exactly right. I would also love to be living on the river, and hopefully someday I will, and I can guarantee you that I would be the last person complaning about the noise. Now boating on the river at night after the people have left the bars and are driving like mad men is a different story. To me this is far worse then the noise level of a few loud boats. I really doubt that a bunch quiet fishing boats can keep the economy going after they exclude us noise makers from boating on the river without a hefty FINE!!!. Besides I also know that my flatbottom is mantained far and above any of the normal boater who's boat might be quieter, and I always thought that saftey was a priority!!! :rolleyes: :cool: We are on your side in Parker. We paid out the Ass and found out we cant flip our boats when ever we wan. Mr Billy, I hope you dont hold any hard feelings . Its all good.

[Kilrtoy]

BOATCOP, know how you feel. They closed the SHORTSTOP in L.A. That was one of the saddest days in L.A. History frown