Talk of The Villages Florida
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Talk of The Villages Florida (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/)
-   The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)
-   -   Valet service for The Sharon (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/valet-service-sharon-167764/)

gerryann 10-24-2015 11:29 AM
Valet service for The Sharon
 
Went to see Frankie Avalon last night. It was a great show!!

Noticed quite a few folks having such difficulty getting around....a few blind, a few having to stop along the way to rest, many who's legs just don't work well anymore. We took the chance that we would possibly get a somewhat close parking spot if we got there quite early......we ended up still at least 4 blocks away which made it very difficult getting there.( No, it doesn't work for me to drop him off ....it has to do with pride)

Since the valet service has been discontinued, why not a shuttle service for those that have difficulty? A shuttle similar to the hospitals service? Maybe only when there is an event at The Sharon? I can imagine there are quite a few people who are unable to attend events now because they are unable to walk very far.

The complainers regarding the valet service only thought of themselves.....not the ones that need it.

outlaw 10-24-2015 11:43 AM
When did they discontinue the valet service?

gerryann 10-24-2015 11:50 AM
A week or two ago.

Sable99 10-24-2015 12:51 PM
Yikes, I've been looking forward to going to The Sharon but my 91 year old mother couldn't walk that far! Well, maybe she would for Daniel O'Donnell!

Taltarzac725 10-24-2015 01:02 PM
I have not see it at the Old Mill Playhouse either. What they need is someone to shuttle them from the golf carts like you see at some hospitals in the Tampa Bay area.

gerryann 10-24-2015 01:05 PM
I guess you'd be able to drop her off and find a parking spot.......it could just be so helpful to have a shuttle or two. The hospital does it and it works so well.

Mleeja 10-24-2015 03:15 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by gerryann (Post 1134653)
Went to see Frankie Avalon last night. It was a great show!!

Noticed quite a few folks having such difficulty getting around....a few blind, a few having to stop along the way to rest, many who's legs just don't work well anymore. We took the chance that we would possibly get a somewhat close parking spot if we got there quite early......we ended up still at least 4 blocks away which made it very difficult getting there.( No, it doesn't work for me to drop him off ....it has to do with pride)

Since the valet service has been discontinued, why not a shuttle service for those that have difficulty? A shuttle similar to the hospitals service? Maybe only when there is an event at The Sharon? I can imagine there are quite a few people who are unable to attend events now because they are unable to walk very far.

The complainers regarding the valet service only thought of themselves.....not the ones that need it.
We seem to have a lot of this in The Villages. However in this case I believe it was a case of economics, not enough people utilized the service to make it a going concern.

tomwed 10-24-2015 03:26 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mleeja (Post 1134778)
We seem to have a lot of this in The Villages. However in this case I believe it was a case of economics, not enough people utilized the service to make it a going concern.
Are you guessing?
Couldn't they just have reduced the staff?

Mleeja 10-24-2015 03:33 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1134785)
Are you guessing?
Couldn't they just have reduced the staff?
I seem to recall a short article in the DS about the service being discontinued. Low usage was cited as the reason.

goodtimesintv 10-24-2015 04:08 PM
That was one of the features I liked about The Sharon. We can walk, but there at the square, available parking would be quite far out and behind the other side of the square.

Maybe the venue itself could run the multi-seat golf car shuttles (like the hospital does) to take people to/from their vehicles, and add a small, optional parking add-on charge with the tickets when bought.

tomwed 10-24-2015 04:21 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by goodtimesintv (Post 1134818)
That was one of the features I liked about The Sharon. We can walk, but there at the square, available parking would be quite far out and behind the other side of the square.

Maybe the venue itself could run the multi-seat golf car shuttles (like the hospital does) to take people to/from their vehicles, and add a small, optional parking add-on charge with the tickets when bought.
Sure, why not. Their motto could be "Money talks, nobody walks".

gerryann 10-24-2015 04:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by goodtimesintv (Post 1134818)
That was one of the features I liked about The Sharon. We can walk, but there at the square, available parking would be quite far out and behind the other side of the square.

Maybe the venue itself could run the multi-seat golf car shuttles (like the hospital does) to take people to/from their vehicles, and add a small, optional parking add-on charge with the tickets when bought.
That's exactly my thinking. As it is now, a good percentage of people who want to see a performance are unable. This is a retirement community after all and a lot of folks have disabilities.

goodtimesintv 10-24-2015 08:32 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1134822)
Sure, why not. Their motto could be "Money talks, nobody walks".
"Nobody walks"??

If it's raining or 95 degrees with 85% humidity, who wants to get soaked walking from the far-away lots and then sitting thru a concert with soaked clothing, like a wet dog?

A $1 or $2 optional charge for a parking shuttle ride would be well worth it, especially for people who CANNOT walk far!

Mleeja 10-24-2015 08:43 PM
You would be surprised by the comments if there was a shuttle with a $1.00 service charge! It would make you think the sky was falling or the "Developers" were out to screw all us poor old folks...

tomwed 10-24-2015 08:51 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by goodtimesintv (Post 1134917)
"Nobody walks"??

If it's raining or 95 degrees with 85% humidity, who wants to get soaked walking from the far-away lots and then sitting thru a concert with soaked clothing, like a wet dog?

A $1 or $2 optional charge for a parking shuttle ride would be well worth it, especially for people who CANNOT walk far!
You lost me. I'm in favor of providing any kind of service at any price to make the event enjoyable for everyone. I think you are barking up the wrong tree. Past practice is that the young men in my family drop off the women and deal with the weather. I'm still seeing myself as a young man. When the OP brings up pride, I get it.

JoMar 10-24-2015 10:17 PM
Proven again, you can please some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time.

The Buckeyes 10-24-2015 11:27 PM
Whether they cost out the price for a shuttle in the ticket price or some other way, a shuttle is needed and maybe two of them. Let's face it sometimes the mind is willing but the body isn't. Bottom line....if it too far to park from the venue, then try to walk to it and from it after the show....people will not buy tickets!

outlaw 10-25-2015 07:49 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Buckeyes (Post 1134994)
Whether they cost out the price for a shuttle in the ticket price or some other way, a shuttle is needed and maybe two of them. Let's face it sometimes the mind is willing but the body isn't. Bottom line....if it too far to park from the venue, then try to walk to it and from it after the show....people will not buy tickets!
Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded.

outlaw 10-25-2015 07:56 AM
If enough people would have used the valet service, as many posters had predicted, the service would most likely still be there. It, apparently, was not a viable business model. For those who are so impaired that they cannot walk a couple of blocks, they should be able to get a prescription/doctor's order/whatever, to get a handicap placard for their golf cart/car. Otherwise, why not have an able person drop off the impaired person at the door, then go park the vehicle? Residents could even put together a volunteer group to coordinate pairing handicap with able people for this. It would be a good way to help your fellow residents, and take care of the problem.

tomwed 10-25-2015 08:19 AM
Maybe it wasn't viable because they set it up incorrectly. Suppose when you ordered a ticket you also placed an order for car pick up and delivery, $10. And when you get your ticket it says when your appointed arrival time is, like a tee off time. Software can do that.

If only 10 people sign up, you don't need to pay 5 kids for 3 hours.

This is just speculation. I don't know how they ran it.

Taltarzac725 10-25-2015 08:23 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1135078)
Maybe it wasn't viable because they set it up incorrectly. Suppose when you ordered a ticket you also placed an order for car pick up and delivery, $10. And when you get your ticket it says when your appointed arrival time is, like a tee off time. Software can do that.

If only 10 people sign up, you don't need to pay 5 kids for 3 hours.

This is just speculation. I don't know how they ran it.
I would see them standing out at the Old Mill Playhouse starting around 4 PM each and every day I got out of a movie or was coming to a movie around then.

Volunteers to do this sounds like a great idea especially if the Villages supplied a shuttle. There would be liability issues for accidents though if they did that.

gerryann 10-25-2015 10:24 AM
Why volunteers? The Villages can certainly afford to buy two shuttle golf carts and pay two drivers. I'm sure most riders would also tip the drivers. It's simply a service that should be provided for the aging population.

To the poster that said all you need is a handicap placard. Seriously? There are so many with the placard and certainly not enough spaces. Even at a place like Publix or Walmart we're going around and around for 15/20 minutes waiting for a spot to open.

gerryann 10-25-2015 10:26 AM
I'm only suggesting the shuttles for The Sharon performances....not all the time.

tomwed 10-25-2015 10:36 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by gerryann (Post 1135161)
Why volunteers? The Villages can certainly afford to buy two shuttle golf carts and pay two drivers. I'm sure most riders would also tip the drivers. It's simply a service that should be provided for the aging population.

To the poster that said all you need is a handicap placard. Seriously? There are so many with the placard and certainly not enough spaces. Even at a place like Publix or Walmart we're going around and around for 15/20 minutes waiting for a spot to open.
I agree, great idea.
The Villages Golf Cars could provide the long carts and advertise with a big sign on the roof. The good will may help sales. Another sign saying "We work for tips" would help keep the labor cost down.

outlaw 10-25-2015 10:46 AM
Well, if enough people used the valet service, it would still be there. Apparently, there is not enough demand to make the business model viable. For those that don't want to walk long distances, why not go early and have an early leisurely dinner before the show. Then relax in the square. That way, the few that need this service would get the closer parking spaces. Just make a day of it.

tomwed 10-25-2015 10:48 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by outlaw (Post 1135191)
Well, if enough people used the valet service, it would still be there. Apparently, there is not enough demand to make the business model viable. For those that don't want to walk long distances, why not go early and have an early leisurely dinner before the show. Then relax in the square. That way, the few that need this service would get the closer parking spaces. Just make a day of it.
I think what some are proposing is not a car delivery service but a shuttle to the parking lot.

KathieI 10-25-2015 10:49 AM
I'm so sorry to hear there isn't valet service any longer. A few months ago when I was using a walker because of back issues, I used the valet service at Lake Sumter and was extremely pleased with this service and very willing to pay the money because walking even a short distance wasn't an option.

However, I felt so bad because when I went to pick up my car, I think I was the ONLY one who used the service that evening. It didn't take much to realize this wasn't going to last.

I haven't been to the Sharon yet but was looking forward to going but now without that service, I'm not sure I can go. We always knew there would be a very bad parking problem when the Sharon was being built but this is now going to make it impossible for me to enjoy events there. I think a shuttle service, as suggested, for Sharon events would be a fantastic idea. Wonder how we could get this across to village management?

tomwed 10-25-2015 10:52 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by KathieI (Post 1135199)
I'm so sorry to hear there isn't valet service any longer. A few months ago when I was using a walker because of back issues, I used the valet service at Lake Sumter and was extremely pleased with this service and very willing to pay the money because walking even a short distance wasn't an option.

However, I felt so bad because when I went to pick up my car, I think I was the ONLY one who used the service that evening. It didn't take much to realize this wasn't going to last.

I haven't been to the Sharon yet but was looking forward to going but now without that service, I'm not sure I can go. We always knew there would be a very bad parking problem when the Sharon was being built but this is now going to make it impossible for me to enjoy events there. I think a shuttle service, as suggested, for Sharon events would be a fantastic idea. Wonder how we could get this across to village management?
Write a letter to Villages Golf Cart and see if they would loan a long cart out. If they say yes, we can build on that idea. I'll help with fundraisers. Maybe have "The Friends of Sharon" campaign. The purpose would be to pay for insurance and provide drivers for Patrons of the Art's special needs.

outlaw 10-25-2015 11:14 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1135207)
Write a letter to Villages Golf Cart and see if they would loan a long cart out. If they say yes, we can build on that idea. I'll help with fundraisers. Maybe have "The Friends of Sharon" campaign. The purpose would be to pay for insurance and provide drivers for Patrons of the Art's special needs.
Way to go! If you can raise enough money, you could buy a used long cart pretty cheap. Maybe get TV to let you store/park it in the back of the sharon when not in use. Keep us informed. Good luck.

tomwed 10-25-2015 11:20 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by outlaw (Post 1135229)
Keep us informed.
Us?

outlaw 10-25-2015 11:26 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1135239)
Us?
Those of "us" interested, of course.

newguyintv 10-25-2015 11:28 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by gerryann (Post 1134653)
Went to see Frankie Avalon last night. It was a great show!!

Noticed quite a few folks having such difficulty getting around....a few blind, a few having to stop along the way to rest, many who's legs just don't work well anymore. We took the chance that we would possibly get a somewhat close parking spot if we got there quite early......we ended up still at least 4 blocks away which made it very difficult getting there.( No, it doesn't work for me to drop him off ....it has to do with pride)

Since the valet service has been discontinued, why not a shuttle service for those that have difficulty? A shuttle similar to the hospitals service? Maybe only when there is an event at The Sharon? I can imagine there are quite a few people who are unable to attend events now because they are unable to walk very far.

The complainers regarding the valet service only thought of themselves.....not the ones that need it.
If enough people had thought it was a valuable service and used it a $10 a pop it wouldn't have gone away!

tomwed 10-25-2015 11:32 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by outlaw (Post 1135249)
Those of "us" interested, of course.
Interested in volunteering to help?

gerryann 10-25-2015 11:44 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by newguyintv (Post 1135253)
If enough people had thought it was a valuable service and used it a $10 a pop it wouldn't have gone away!
It didn't work for a variety of reasons.

#1---They had it EVERY day. Didn't need it every day.....only on Sharon performance days.

#2---They took up too many valuable parking spaces.

#3---They charged too much.

A shuttle is completely different.

outlaw 10-25-2015 11:56 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1135254)
Interested in volunteering to help?
I'm pretty busy right now.

tomwed 10-25-2015 11:56 AM
It didn't work for a variety of reasons.

#1---They had it EVERY day. Didn't need it every day.....only on Sharon performance days.

agree


#2---They took up too many valuable parking spaces.

agree

#3---They charged too much.

$5/person seems fair to me. $10/car


A shuttle is completely different.

outlaw 10-25-2015 12:03 PM
Looks like a used 6 or 8 person cart can be purchased for around $5-$7 thousand. You would only need 700 people @ $10 donation to get one. With all the interest in The Sharon, that shouldn't be too hard to do. Doesn't The Sharon hold 1000+?

tomwed 10-25-2015 12:10 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1135173)
I agree, great idea.
The Villages Golf Cars could provide the long carts and advertise with a big sign on the roof. The good will may help sales. Another sign saying "We work for tips" would help keep the labor cost down.
I was hoping that The Villages Golf Carts would loan their vehicles out. Without a free cart[s] the idea falls apart.

outlaw 10-25-2015 12:14 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1135279)
I was hoping that The Villages Golf Carts would loan their vehicles out. Without a free cart[s] the idea falls apart.
Why is that? that's what fundraisers are for.

newguyintv 10-25-2015 12:16 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1135279)
I was hoping that The Villages Golf Carts would loan their vehicles out. Without a free cart[s] the idea falls apart.
Let a sleeping dog lie!


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