"Outsiders" in The Villages

[Tbugs]

I recently went to a Villages meeting of a club at Laurel Manor. I was surprised to see a woman drive up in her car with the front license plate of "Del Webb Spruce Creek" and she walked right into the Rec. Center. There was no Villages employee at the door to check ID cards and since she looked as though she belonged, no questions were asked.

I have also noticed at the swimming pools that no employee is stationed at the pool entrance to check ID cards and if a person is in the pool during the time an ID check is made, their card is not checked.

Personally, I do not want my ammenity fee to be paying for outsiders to join my activities in The Villages.

Any comments or similar stories?

[redwitch]

She may have been there legitimately since outsiders are allowed to attend support group meetings in the rec centers. The only thing you can is find a staff member and report to them if you see someone you feel doesn't belong. It would really help if TV would require that there always be one staffer at the desk at all times. It would probably mean hiring one more person per rec center so that meeting rooms could be set up, the pool areas checked, etc. As it is now, it is rare to find someone at the front desk -- they're too busy doing too many other things. Not fair to them, not fair to us.

As to the pool issue, my vote goes to having to swipe our ID cards to enter.

Personally, I would like to see some changes in the rules. I would love to have a friend of mine play bridge with me here. We can play together at her club, but she can't join me because she lives in Lady Lake. It seems as if we should be allowed to bring an occasional guest from nearby communities to not only share our homes, but our community. I know of singles who would love to bring their dates to dances and clubs in TV. I know of couples who would like to have an hour at the pool with their friends before dinner. Not allowed. If immediate family can be given annual passes to use here (so long as they are accompanied by a verified Villager), why can't a day pass be issued for the occasional friends (it could be limited to no more than 1 pass a month per Villager).

[Larry Wilson]

Red,
Why can't you just get them a guest pass for the day?

[redwitch]

If you live in the tri-counties, you can only get a pass for immediate family members (children, grandchildren ...). Other tri-county residents cannot use TV facilities whether accompanied by a Villager or not (unless they are here for a support group meeting and even that created a huge stink when it was allowed).

[Larry Wilson]

Well I just learned all my guests must come from other counties! And to my knowledge no one ever checked their address.
In other words, could you be creative when you fill out the form for the guest pass. Lord knows I will get beat up for saying that but I like you Red. Nite

[chuckinca]

Guest's Drivers Licenses are usually checked.



.

[chuckinca]

If immediate family can be given annual passes to use here (so long as they are accompanied by a verified Villager), why can't a day pass be issued for the occasional friends (it could be limited to no more than 1 pass a month per Villager).


I thought they eliminated the annual family passes?



.

[redwitch]

Just saw a blurb the other day in something from TV (the paper?) and it mentioned the annual passes for family, so I don't think so. I'll try to remember and check on it on Wednesday (too busy tomorrow).

[Snowbirdtobe]

TV is very open to outsiders. If I were a snowbird and lived in a development that was sold as "being close to the Villages" I would use my out of state ID with a guest pass.
The streets are public but parking lots at rec centers and golf cart paths could be gated.

[Gerald]

Just because a person has a car plate from another location does not mean that they are not an owner in the village. Can anyone say snowbird for example.

[Army Guy]

I for one do know that the CW do checks at the pools on their rounds. They ask for TV ID and if you look young your Drivers Licence for 30+ pools. I have been checked sometimes 2-3 times in a single afternoon at the Bonita Pool.

Army Guy

[Bogie Shooter]

TV is very open to outsiders. If I were a snowbird and lived in a development that was sold as "being close to the Villages" I would use my out of state ID with a guest pass.
The streets are public but parking lots at rec centers and golf cart paths could be gated.

Why have rules if everyone is going to go around breaking them. If your out of state "friends" want to use our amenities.....buy a home in TV..

[MSNPA]

For years I have taken yoga through The Villages Lifelong Learning College. The classes are not held at the college, but are held at various recreational centers. Anyone can take the courses given by the college. Therefore some people going into rec centers may not be villages residents, but may have signed up for a course given at a center.

[downeaster]

She may have been there legitimately since outsiders are allowed to attend support group meetings in the rec centers. The only thing you can is find a staff member and report to them if you see someone you feel doesn't belong. It would really help if TV would require that there always be one staffer at the desk at all times. It would probably mean hiring one more person per rec center so that meeting rooms could be set up, the pool areas checked, etc. As it is now, it is rare to find someone at the front desk -- they're too busy doing too many other things. Not fair to them, not fair to us.

As to the pool issue, my vote goes to having to swipe our ID cards to enter.

Personally, I would like to see some changes in the rules. I would love to have a friend of mine play bridge with me here. We can play together at her club, but she can't join me because she lives in Lady Lake. It seems as if we should be allowed to bring an occasional guest from nearby communities to not only share our homes, but our community. I know of singles who would love to bring their dates to dances and clubs in TV. I know of couples who would like to have an hour at the pool with their friends before dinner. Not allowed. If immediate family can be given annual passes to use here (so long as they are accompanied by a verified Villager), why can't a day pass be issued for the occasional friends (it could be limited to no more than 1 pass a month per Villager).

It is sad to say but the privilege would soon be abused. The current system is now being abused and this would open the door for more.

[billstrickland]

If my math is right, one visitor per Villager would amount to 75,000 more people a month using the facilities we have to pay for. They all need to stay out or buy a house here.

[LB]

We are wannabies from West Palm. We often rent a house which gives us passes. We are almost always checked at the pool. A villages employee goes from pool to pool and checks. No one was just sitting at the pool the whole time. We were glat to see that they were checking as hopeful buyers.LB

[redwitch]

If my math is right, one visitor per Villager would amount to 75,000 more people a month using the facilities we have to pay for. They all need to stay out or buy a house here.

I doubt there are actually 75K people here even during high season. Also, there are many that wouldn't use such a pass at all, some only once or twice a year and some only occassionally. I doubt there would be many who would use a pass every month, although I'm sure there would be some.

I'm not suggesting that anyone be allowed to come use the facilities, but some of us do have friends who live in neighboring towns and in Ocala. Personally, I would love to show off some of the things I enjoy about TV. Who knows, it might even convince them to move here.

I do understand that some will abuse the privilege. There are always some who cheat. Fortunately, they are in the minority.

I'm not suggesting this so that my friends can use TV's facilities because they don't have the facilities or because our facilities are better. I'm suggesting this because I would like to reciprocate once in awhile. I play bridge in their clubhouse. I can swim in their pool. If I happen to date someone that doesn't live in TV, why couldn't I invite him to TV's New Year's Eve party to meet my friends or to a singles club dance here?

I do understand there should be rules, but there should also be some balance. If my friends live in Tampa, no problem. I can get them guest passes for up to 30 days a year. But if they live in Lady Lake, Ocala, Summerfield, they are persona non grata here.

[billstrickland]

The Villages have exceeded 76000 homeowners now on its way to 101,000. And if you can bring in a guest then I can and every owner could. They have to draw a line somewhere and because of so much abuse of the visitation rules they have chosen to invoke the tri-county rule, which is good. I have friends and relatives close by but they don't need to use my neighbors benefits that they paid dearly for.

[Pturner]

I doubt there are actually 75K people here even during high season. Also, there are many that wouldn't use such a pass at all, some only once or twice a year and some only occassionally. I doubt there would be many who would use a pass every month, although I'm sure there would be some.

I'm not suggesting that anyone be allowed to come use the facilities, but some of us do have friends who live in neighboring towns and in Ocala. Personally, I would love to show off some of the things I enjoy about TV. Who knows, it might even convince them to move here.

I do understand that some will abuse the privilege. There are always some who cheat. Fortunately, they are in the minority.

I'm not suggesting this so that my friends can use TV's facilities because they don't have the facilities or because our facilities are better. I'm suggesting this because I would like to reciprocate once in awhile. I play bridge in their clubhouse. I can swim in their pool. If I happen to date someone that doesn't live in TV, why couldn't I invite him to TV's New Year's Eve party to meet my friends or to a singles club dance here?

I do understand there should be rules, but there should also be some balance. If my friends live in Tampa, no problem. I can get them guest passes for up to 30 days a year. But if they live in Lady Lake, Ocala, Summerfield, they are persona non grata here.

Hi Red,
I sympathize with your point, but do think the balance is about right. Unfortunately, I think you underestimate the abuse issue. Wasn't the rule implemented to begin with because of abuse? Wasn't abuse a factor in implementing the new Villager IDs? Don't even Villagers too often abuse community amenities "claiming" limited space in fitness classes and roping off seats that go unused for hours at popular entertainment events?

There are some opportunities for reciprocity, albeit limited, such as inviting people to your home, or to join you at the Town Squares, etc. Regardless of motive, opening the pools and rec centers to area residents means more crowding, higher maintenance costs, and unfortunately, greater abuse.

[Larry Wilson]

I just have to respond to the "claiming" limited space in exercise classes. My wife's favorite exercise class has been running about 135 people. The room is only suppose to have 120. Just like the squares, there isn't anywhere near enough space, and amenity paying people are turned away. In Jan.-March, you have to wait in line an hour to even get in- if you are lucky.

[downeaster]

Both Redqwitch abd Pturner make good points. It would be nice, Red, if we could invite local friends to share our amenities. However, this is not a perfect world. I agree with Pt. Unfortunately it would open the door for more abuse. Larry Wilson's post relative to the overcrowding highlights a problem shared by most of our amenities.

BTW, a friend from North Florida moved to Harbor Hills years ago. He liked HH and liked golf but golf at HH was too expensive. He had friends at TV. So, he moved assuming he could join his friends on the executive courses at TV. He gave up golf after one attempt to play at TV.