Townhouse Association seeks input on future of recreational amenities
Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008
More than 1, 000 townhouse owners in Bella Vista are in the process of voting on whether to keep or eliminate their swimming pools and tennis courts - a decision that could ultimately cost or save them as much as $ 1 million.
On July 31, the Bella Vista Townhouse Association mailed 1, 048 surveys to the owners, asking them to select to either renovate or close the association's pools at Britten Circle, Cora Circle and Metfield Courts and the tennis courts at Brompton, Drake and Metfield.
It is estimated the pool renovations will cost $ 700, 000 and the tennis courts $ 300, 000.
Repairs and renovations range from such things as fixing cracks on the tennis courts to completely replacing pool plumbing in order to meet current standards. Some of those facilities are more than 30 years old.
The board also provided an option that would cut those costs by nearly half. By building smaller swimming pools inside the existing structures, they would save $ 450, 000 and still be able to do the work on the tennis courts.
The survey is set up so the respondent can pick and choose any combination. Choices include closing some amenities while keeping others open, keeping all open or closing all.
"For every $ 100, 000 in expense, an increase of approximately $ 8 in your monthly assessment is required to pay for it, " Townhouse Association officials stated in a letter that accompanied the survey.
Townhouse owners already pay $ 55 a month to the association.
The surveys are due back no later than Aug. 31. The association has received more than 400 of the completed forms so far, but General Manager David Whittlesey declined to say what the early results indicate.
The final results will be posted on the association's Web site - www. bvth. com - by Sept. 9. They will be discussed at the association's next meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 2 Cora Circle.
Some concern over the letter and the mention of a possible increase in the monthly assessment was raised at the Aug. 20 board meeting.
One homeowner said he wasn't sure if he would have to pay more money for one year, several years or forever.
He said that might sway some of the votes.
However, board President Jack Adams said it shouldn't be a concern.
"There are basically two groups of townhouse owners," he said. "There are those who don't want to spend any money on amenities and a large group that feels they want to have them."
"It's really a homeowner's decision," Adams said. "If they are clear, we will probably have our direction. If we don't have a (clear ) decision, we'll have to do other things to find an answer. We'll have to look harder."
He said the association might even have to send out a second survey if the first one doesn't provide clear answers.
When asked how the board could allow the facilities to deteriorate so much, one member said it wasn't something they had done or not done.
"They have not been neglected over the years," Art Leu said. "There has been a considerable amount of money spent on them."
As to exactly how much money the homeowners'decision will cost, nobody knows. But, Adams said, the surveys will be a good indicator.
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