Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

I talked to a lady this morning who lives in Bison Valley with her husband and 2 young sons. Her parents live in The Villages. Her mother got them a year-long pass (free !) for relatives who live in the tri-county area. They are able to use any of the family pools.
Now...these Bison Valley residents pay NO amenities for using facilities within TV. They also can golf at guest rates. What is up with this???? Does anyone know? I will definitely be calling the appropriate department to find out why this is allowed. I don't see anything fair about this. Do any of you have a take on this???

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Bison Valley isn't on either google maps or yahoo maps and not in wikipedia - - -

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

This does happen. I was at OB pool last year and met a young local couple from outside TV that had passes.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Doesn't sound fair to me. When you find out please share with the rest of us.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

My neighbor just happened to bring over the current guest ID information this morning. There is apparently a focus group going over these. It states "In-area guest ID cards: Children & spouses, grandchildren & spouses and great-grandchildren who reside in the Tri-County area--Lake, Marion, and Sumter. Age - 10 and above issued an In-Area Guest ID card. Sponsoring RESIDENT MUST ACCOMPANY GUEST to all facilities. In-Area Guest ID is active for 1 year from the issue date. May submit a new application after year has expired. Average number of In-area Guest ID's issued monthly--123. Active as of July 3, 2008--1,358. Apparently there are those who are complaining that they don't have area children or grandchildren but do have brothers, sisters, etc., and they don't think it is fair that they cannot get in-area guest passes for them. You know the Bison Valley residents will be using our golf cart paths--which we have and are paying for---to get to the area stores, town squares, etc. I am not a selfish person but this doesn't seem exactly fair to me.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

:edit: Sounds like POA needs to be advised of this problem. Let us know what you find out after your phone calls.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Sounds like a bit of a quandry....
They built no amenities specifically for them, so there'd be some legitimate squawking by the Bison Valley residents if they charged them an amenity fee, yet unless they pay an amenity fee, it doesn't seem fair they should get the use of the amenities in the rest of TV.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Where is Bison Valley?

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

we really have two separate issues here.
in area guest passes are not unique to bison valley or the oak meadows housing section in back of the fiesta bowl but the villages built golf cart access trails are.
i assume it was a marketing tactic of the developer andi have always wondered why the acess trails goes un challenged.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Bison Valley is about 500 feet northwest from Crispers in Southern Trace but across from CR101 and north of Woodridge Drive. Just across from the western part of Summerhill.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Bison Valley is a new subdivision on CR 101 North of 466, which allows families.

I thought the pools and golf courses were for Villagers and their guests with temporary passes. I guess I'm naive. I've never heard of year-long Tri-county Guest Cards. Not something The Villages brags about to newbies.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Kitty corner (northwest or at 10 o'clock) to New Covenant United Methodist Church. http://www.mapquest.com/maps?zipcode...::d::25:::::/e

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

My daughter and her family used to have annual guest passes to visit my 80something mother. For years, they would drive about 45 miles one way twice a month or more, holidays etc to visit her. They live out of the tri county area and a couple years ago the policy was changed and because they were out of area they couldn't get the annual passes renewed. They could still get passes but only for short durations and my mom had to make a trip to Paradise Center to get them each time they came - a pain in the buttocks. When she was sick, they couldn't get passes because she was unable to get them and sign for them.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Good idea Golfer.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Think we all need to pitch in and right this wrong. It sure is an awakening!!

We're in MA for awhile but will do whatever we can to write or call or whatever.

Keep this alive.....needs immediate attention. Think we all agree on this, yes?

barb

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Person to complain to is Janet Tutt, of the CDD. (And complain like hell!)

Another instance of "You have to pay for it - but I'll let in anyone I want."

Skip

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

OK....so this is what I know...and I promise not to get on my soapbox! The annual guest passes have been around FOREVER....not anything new....there are specific rules for them...

The other part is that Bison Valley is not a NEW concept here....there are two other "family villages" and they have been around for a long time. They are for employees of the villages...but there are many people that are living there that do not work in TV's...there really are no rules. There are many new apartment, condo and housing complexes going up all over. If you read the paper or listen to the radio...both Villages owned and operated...you will hear or see commercials for The Villages of Parkwood....specifically advertised to families who want to live closer to grandma and grandpa....so they can play golf together all the time....etc etc etc....

Atleast The Villages of PArkwood are going to build their own amenities....this is not owned by The Villages....those family communites owned by TV's have NO amenities...so ofcourse they are going to use the ones available if they can.....

This is NOT NEW INFORMATION!!! IT IS JUST A LITTLE MORE OUT IN THE OPEN....THE MORE RESIDENTS THAT MOVE HERE....THE MORE SERVICES NEEDED...THE MORE EMPLOYEES THAT NEED TO LIVE CLOSE BY......

OK....so I guess I got on my soapbox.....perhaps the annual pass should have a fee attached....I would pay it but thankfully....I already pay my fees......

But here is my question for everyone.....

If there was a fee associated to the annual pass....and people paid the fee yearly....would you stop complaining about kids and families using the family pools and paying guest fees?????????? Just wondering?

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

originally you couldn't get a guest pass for someone who lived in the Tri county area but
rumor has it . People who worked for and lived in the Villages used their influence to change the regulation to benefit their families who lived near by.

Willy

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Mariab, wouldn't it work better to have pools in the areas of the family homes outside the limits of The Villages rather than using The Villages facilities? I think the problem is density. There only are so many pools and if they are opened up to everyone outside The Villages that qualifies to use them, the residents may not enjoy the pools as much. It seems that parents and grandparents who don't have children living right in the area are penalized. Our children can only come for a short period of time and use the facilities.I am open to others take on this situation, perhaps I'm missing something in my rationalizing...

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Peachie...I do not disagree....TV's should build atleast one pool for the family villages....however I agree that the 30 day rule is a little extreme...they should look at the vacation times for schools and allow that to be the amount of days...

I also don't think that parents and grandparents that have kids far away will have them visit more then 30 days a year.....would you have them here a little more than 30 days if you could? Guests that are over 19 can come as often as possible....it's the kids that can't be here more than 30 days....

I will say that most of the apartment complexes/condo complexes/housing complexes have their own amenities for their families.....just not TV's family housing....

I own inside and outside TV's so I know I pay my dues....but have amenities at both places....if Bison Valley had offered it's own amenities I would have bought there...I was ready to pay cash for a gorgeous house...but they offered NO amenities to us...so I went elsewhere...TV's are loosing money because they don't do this....not everyone has family inside.

NOW...If TV's are offering guest passes to families that live in the family villages and they do not have family that are truly Villages residents....then that is wrong....

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

when myfamily lived in orlando one year i was able to get 30 day guest passes multiple times.
i don't believe there is currently a limit on the number of days guests can use the village pools. you could renew the guest passes every 30 days and thus swim daily all year.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Doesn't surprise me....it is very easy to get Guest Passes....I dont think anyone really keeps track of who is who....sorry to say.....it is just like the fact that we have security gates and people that run them and keys to get in....BUT just about anyone can get through as a visitor....there really is not anyone who keeps track.

We visited a gated community in Lake MAry recently. We could not get in unless the guard had our name from the resident we were visiting...and giving all ID's of people over 18 in the car!!!!!!!! If only....perhaps I should work for TV's and make things happen!

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

I don't feel that we, as residents, gain anything by charging a guest fee. The developer gains monetarily, however, it still remains that the facilities are being used by non-residents. Should not be so. The facilities were built for residents who pay for this privilege.

I feel that there should be no passes given to anybody for a long period of time, no matter where they live. Guest passes are just that, there should be a time limit as to the guests' stay in TV ....and ONLY during their VISIT with residents.

barb

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

My issue would be that they are not accompanied by the TV resident. I really don't mind family members who live nearby being given year-round passes but they should follow the rule that they must be accompanied by a TV resident and TV personnel should see that this rule is enforced.

The rule at present is if you are under 19, you are limited to 30 days per year as a visitor/guest. Those over 19 are free to reside with famly or friends in TV year-round. You can technically purchase a home at any age but must be over 19 to reside in it. If you are a family member of a TV resident and live in the Tri-Counties, you can get an annual pass but must be accompanied by the TV family member.

We are not talking about a tremendous amount of people. We are not talking about every resident of Bison Valley, Parkwoods or Tri-County. We are specifically talking about close family members. If they did not have this rule, most would be banned from almost all recreational facilities or have to pay a higher fee, which is the rule for those living nearby and using our facilities. Would you really want to tell your grandchild s/he could not use the pool while visiting grams for the day because s/he lived too near grams (although that is specifically why your children moved to Sumter County)? Yes, they can use the facilities more than those whose grandchild lives further away but, again, we're talking about a great number. We're not talking about employees. We're not talking about friends, we're talking about family.

What I would like to see implemented is that they must prove they are family members (giving your word shouldn't be good enough). Passes and resident IDs should be consistently checked to ensure that non-TVers are with residents and this should be enforced.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

children using guest passes must be accompanied by someone over 19 to use village pools or other facilities.
so the family in bison valley may be in for a surprise.
and i think the 30 day rule mentioned applies to someone under 19 staying overnight in tv not visiting for the day as my orlando family did. at least that's what the guest pass office told me when i asked.back in 2006
i'll bet the guest pass focus group gets prertty confused with all the varing scenarios. if i recall correctly participation in the group was open and annouced in the daily sun at the time it formed.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

One more thing to consider before taking the plung into TV ???

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

VISITOR being the operative word here. Doesn't necessarily have to be family; guest passes also include friends, as well as family, of residents WHO ARE VISITING WITH RESIDENTS.

Anyone visiting WITH residents (not residing with them) are entitled to "guest" passes. This is not a permanent or long-term pass. Issued ONLY when visiting the residents' premises.

This is what I think that most all assumed was the policy.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

However, anyone residing within 50 (I believe) miles and visiting a TV resident cannot be issued guest passes -- they have to pay separate fees from a guest here. I was told that was why an exception was made for family members residing in the Tri-Counties.

I'm sorry, but I really don't see what the issue is. Even though I rent, part of my rental fee does pay for the amenities.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

RW...."resident" does not specify whether one is an owner or renter; a resident is a resident is a resident......no difference. You are a resident and as such have all of the perks of an owner, no disputing that.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

I think in area passes are a good thing. I have a daughter and son in law that live in Del Web Spruce Creek and he and I like to play golf together and for him to play in the Villages he has to have in area guest pass. All of you people that are against this, what if you could not have your children visit with you, would you like it. Most of the people that abuse the privilege are Village residents in fact most of the rules that are broken are done by Village residents. In order to get a in area guest pass you are supposed to be a relatives of the resident and be accompanied at all times by resident you are visiting when using Village facilities

drd

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

drdodge.....

If you please, would you confirm that relatives only are entitled to "guest" passes? That was not my understanding, as I had visited TV, neither a relative nor resident...as a friend only. Had no problem getting a guest pass. How do you figure?

Now an owner for six years and no problem applying for guest passes for friend and/or family visitors....barb

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

I believe they are referring to the "annual guest pass" is only for certain types of relatives within 50 miles of TV......

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Unlike the regular visitors pass where you can go alone the family pass requires you be with the resident to go to the pools, play golf etc. Children under 19 are still only allowed for 30 days. This can be hard to regulate unless the child is old enough to need a pass.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

I'm with golfer2000 bigthumbsup:...No year round passes, period!

One big reason for many of us to migrate to The Villages is the ability to NOT be around a bunch of screaming kids. And certainly not be surrounded by same in facilities entirely paid for by residents!

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Fourpar

Excuse me because this has nothing to do with the topic yet I feel the need to speak my piece:

Not to be mean or rude but your comment about "being around screaming kids" rubbed me wrong.

I love children and your comment led me to believe you have none of your own nor grandchildren. If you do, I feel sorry for them based on your comment and inferred attitude.

Again, I apologize if I misinterpreted your statement. However, the laughter, yelling, screaming, and idiotic actions of children reminds me of a time I was once young and carefree and enjoyed life without baggage. I enjoy every moment of children's innocent play! Perhaps we can still learn from them at our age.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

As I mentioned above, my daughter and family had an annual pass to keep my elderly mother company. How in the world do you think that this is a bunch of screaming kids or people using your precious amenities?

And, there are many elderly mothers and fathers in TV and you too will soon be in the same boat, if you get lucky.

What is "UASF (ret)"

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

While I'm not yet a resident of TV, I'd like to comment on this issue because it will affect me in the future. I prefer that no annual passes be provided to persons living outside TV.

However, IF the developer intends to keep the policy as it currently is, I have a different problem with it. I'm a single woman who may have a long-term "boyfriend" (I dislike that term for people in my age bracket) who lives nearby, but outside of TV. While not "family", I feel I too should be allowed to have my "boyfriend" obtain an annual pass. If this isn't allowed, I would deem it as a form of discrimination against single persons.

Again, I prefer that NO annual passes be allowed. I stand by my other comments as well, however. If other singles feel as I do, this could open Pandora's Box. Those of you already living in TV may want to raise my issue (AP for long-term "boyfriend") to the powers that be so they recognize the issues they may face if they continue to allow AP's. This should give them even more reason to have NO annual passes for "outsiders".

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

This is a retirement community.

Yet, are you saying we should be neglected of our "family" who might live close by from using some of the amenities?

My son and family live in Leesburg and because of their proximity to The Villages, I cannot get them a guest pass. From The Villages viewpoint, they live too close.

So, when my hubs and I are here, our son and family cannot join us at the family pool. How do I explain this to my toddler grandson who wants to spend time with us when we're here and also, for me, who wants to play with him in the pool?

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Brightspot--What county is Leesburg? Is it Lake? If so , if you will read at the top of this forum, I posted the rules for in-area guest ID's. Your family would qualify for one of the in-area passes which are good for 12 months. As noted, now the in-area passes are only for children & spouses, Grandchildren & Spouses and great grandchildren. The issue being raised is why is this fair to those Villagers who don't have children, grandchildren, etc., but have a brother or sister(or boyfriend as noted above) who live in the Tri-County area and they want to be able to Play golf with them, swim with them, etc., etc. I guess it is the issue of where to draw the line. I don't have a problem with tri-county area guests, family using facilities when visiting a Villager but I think they should be issued like those given to the general guests-- not on a 12 month basis. As I noted above, as of July 3, 2008 there are 1,358 active in-area guest ID cards. Call the District Office on Wedgewood Lane and ask how you can voice your opinion concerning this issue.

Re: Bison Valley residents using The Villages family pools
 

Thank you sandybill...I understand now.