Solution: Waiver of Amenity Fees?
 

Given the exponential growth of the Villages; in order to participate in many very popular Resident volunteer instructor classes such as Yoga, Stretch, Water Aerobics etc (insert your own choices) I have found it necessary to arrive at least 40 to 60 minutes early to secure an available space. Some are so crowded that Spiderman skills would be handy.Having benefited from and witnessed many Resident volunteer Instructors talent, time spent, skills, expertise, and devotion to their subject matter; what better way to increase the available number of skilled Resident instructors by considering a Waiver of Amenity fee for those individuals. Recreational employees facilitate the use of specific areas for the Resident Instructors, attendance is always electronically monitored. Villages should consider a solution. (Note- I'm not an instructor or married to one) :bigbow:

Nope. I don't like that idea.

Volunteers here are like the rest of our age group, they have old fashioned values and we so appreciate them.

Things are crowded all over Florida. This is the high season.

I don't like it either. If they got paid, they wouldn't be volunteers. And, attendance is not always electronically monitored.

First of all, The Villages' growth has been fairly linear, not exponential, at approximately 2200 (+/-) new homes per year for about the last 10 years.

I agree that this time of year there is more demand for classes and you need to arrive early. Your suggestion of waiving the amenities fee for instructors has some issues. There are several thousand rec volunteers. Trying to sort out who should and shouldn't be given a waiver would be a mess that I doubt anyone would want to tackle. For example, there are those who put in a CD for an exercise class and those who actually teach a class. Would both be given waivers? How about softball managers and assistant softball managers? How about the ride leaders and sweeps for the cycling clubs? How about those who run non-exercise clubs? Is there a minimum level of attendance required for waiver of the amenities fee? This would require strict accounting. I don't see the CDDs taking this on.

When we had the LLC, residents had the option of paying for an exercise class and were guaranteed a spot. The instructors for those classes were paid. Unfortunately the LLC replacement, the Enrichment Academy, is more modest in it's offerings.

My wife teaches a class and it would certainly be nice if our amenities fee was waived. I just don't see it happening because there is little, if any, motivation/incentive for implementing this suggestion.

Nope :bigbow:

Do you know for sure the issue is lack of instructors ? This place in general has people falling all over each other to be volunteers. Could it be a lack of facilities for a particular item such as a sports pool. That is a limited commodity. Line dancing usually requires the biggest room in a rec center. Another question have you tried doing your activity at other facilities ? As an example a large portion of TV population I'll bet does not even know where Mulberry or Paradise Rec Center are. PS I like the title of your thread - like a newspaper catch line.

Well said. Especially the thoughts on driving up to the older areas. AND the click bait/newspaper catch line.

It would be a nice gesture, but given the attitudes of so many around here...will probably never happen.

IMO They will get rid of the programs before amenities fees, just be thankful you have lots of options here, too crowed at one rec center move down or up to next one. I applaud all the volunteers for their time and skill to deal with public. Once you start paying you open up new can of worms.

That's why MVP at Brownwood is so busy, paid professional instructions, excellent facilities, and if you're a United Health Medicare Advantage member it's free.

https://www.mvpsportsclubs.com/sites.../brownwood.jpg

https://www.mvpsportsclubs.com/sites...ness-Grp-X.jpg

https://www.mvpsportsclubs.com/sites...ness-Floor.jpg

No!
Almost bait like thread!!

I give this idea the same probability of happening as I would that of Jimmy Hoffa knocking on my door and presenting me with a talking unicorn that poops gold bullion and cooks the best gumbo in the universe.

Yeah. I see that too. The attitudes of so many around here are kind and caring and not looking to be rewarded.

Geez.

"Let's Behead the Messenger" is a popular club on TOTV. Leaders are volunteers.
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Anyway, Ed III, I am sorry you are under attack for just asking what looks to me like a sincere question.

I do not think what you offer is a particularly good idea, nor do I think it will ever happen. But thanks for thinking about it.

We bought 5 years ago. In just that amount of time, I have really felt the increase in crowding. Some of it is because we are around only in colder months, usually. But even so, there has been a change.

I do not think the ratios of people to the popular things they want to do will ever be the same as even a few years ago.

Sometimes finding a seat at our neighborhood pool can be a problem. (I can find a different pool. But darn it, I can walk to my usual one.)

I long ago gave up getting into water classes.

One of my favorite clubs is the Civil Discourse Club but I have to get there really early. One time, I had to deal with some guy who was trying to cut me off at the pass for the last seat. (I was there first. I got the seat. He was not very "civil.")

Getting into movies can sometimes be a problem.

I think you are asking your question because you are feeling the crowding, too.

But, crowds are a fact, and will remain a fact.

In fairness though, I will say that I think it is probably easier for full-time Villagers.

I understand that people who do not attend regular exercise classes, line dance classes even water activity classes don't understand the completion for these classes. Just like non-golfers don't know the frustration many villagers feel when trying to score Tee Time.
After living in the Villages for seven years, I understand that winters are more crowded in Florida. I expect and plan for recreation center activities to be more crowded as well as popular golf tee times to be harder to schedule. However, there are many popular activities which are very crowded all months of the year with the exception of June, July and August and not just due to the winter crowd.

The recreation centers do have many open time slots for additional classes. If you visit centers and look at the schedules posted outside of each activity room, you will see all of the open time slots. I can only guess there are not enough volunteers to keep these rooms full. I am hoping the new centers being built in the Fenny area will offer new activities due to new residents willing to volunteer. Location is not a problem for me if I want to participate in a group activity.

I don't know what the answer is to address the over crowding of activities which has noticeably increased in the recent years.

When I tell my friends and family who want to move here how things are changing, their reaction is - Wait . . . what! I need to stand in line for 45+ minutes to get a spot in a recreation class or arrive 45 minutes early. Sometimes I only need to place a water bottle on the floor so I have a spot saved to work out, then i sit in the lobby for 45 minutes.

In Jan, Feb and March I might get shut out. If you don't think that is disappointing, get up early, drive 10 minutes, arrive 35 minutes before the class to get a ticket for a class and be told, sorry no more tickets available. Yes the other months are busy but you only need to arrive 20-30 minutes early and sometime you can arrive 5-10 minutes before a class and squeeze yourself in.

I am very appreciative of our wonderful volunteers for everything they do to make The Villages the best retirement town in the USA. My concern is The Villages is sold to people with a truck load of activities . . . but that truck is now full.

The villages has always seemed to know what is needed to help correct a problem. I hope they know, that this has now become a problem that we villagers need real help to solve. Our golf Tee Time system helps keep access to tee times fair. We need a better system to obtain access to all the wonderful recreation building activities the Villages highlights as available to residents only.

Just my two cents!

I don't see that it is worse than eleven years ago when we first moved to Hadley. We had to go an hour early to Odell to get into the Exercise class there starting January first.

You're trying to fix a problem that is not fixable by offering seniors a small monthly stipend to come out of retirement to teach a class. If any certified instructor needs an income, they are usually looking for good qualified instructors at MVP. You've got competition right there, and they can't compete.

Apparently it's also a problem for golf tee times, and other activities - not just exercise classes. One of the MAIN attractions to our moving to the Villages, instead of South Carolina, is that I have thousands of activities I can select from to do daily, or a few times every week, while hubby is playing golf (since it's not an activity I'm interested in).

If you're telling me that I have to wait an hour, for the privilege of attending an hour-long activity, then forget it. If I have to show up 45 minutes in advance only to be told there's no room, forget it. Totally not interested in that. Life is too short to spend half of it waiting in line.

I agree. South Carolina would be better.

Those of us who are flexible with the what, when and where have not had a problem doing what ever we choose or have chosen............ for the last 15 years.....other than more people we have no more issues/problems than we had when TV was 35,000 folks.

I don't mind standing in line, I meet some very nice interesting people in line. I travel around to different sport pools to be able to maximize my time. Each pool has a slightly different culture and rhythm to it. The classes that you have to arrive early for generally are the ones with the best teachers! So for three months I'm ok with it.

I like it GG. When are the rest of you going to break the code.

In OCsun's post earlier in this thread, things were said far better than I said them in my earlier post here. Thank you for sharing your experience and opinion, OCsun.

I have seen some other posts here that are making me think my credibility is being marginalized, posts that say crowding is no different than 11 or 15 years ago. I actually have been in TV since 2007, but before we bought, we rented, in fall and/or winter. In fact, I attended the very first meeting of the Civil Discourse Club. It was held in a rec center in the Belvedere area. The LSL section of TV was just being developed. I remember when Colony was under construction. Now, I am lucky if I can get in the door to that club when I am there. (Yes. I am one of the abominable snowbirds. We kept two houses.)

I dare to go "off script" once in a while when it comes to life in TV and I guess there are those who find that annoying. There are, of course, many good things about this place, but our house is not located in The Village of Denial.

Somebody mentioned flexibility is needed. Well -- if I could get into a yoga class or a water exercise class maybe that would help.

I do not know much about physics, but isn't one of the Laws of Physics something about how two things cannot occupy the same space at the same time.

I am not making up the stuff about the crowds.

I solemnly swear that I have seen the changes I am talking about and feel the crowding is far beyond where it was. I do not think there is an end in sight.

I solemnly believe that people who want to learn about TV have the right to hear all opinions about what is happening.

(And, no, I do not hate TV. I like many things about it. I have good friends in TV. But the loss of the LLC and now the increasing crowds are not something I thought would happen so fast. And, yes, we did keep an extra house, up north -- so if you are one of those here who wants to tell me that thing about don't let the door, yadda, yadda, save it. I can hear you.)

Sincerely,
Sassy Boomer

Boomer thank you for keepin' it real. And for remembering that this forum exists in part to inform potential homeowners who are seeking real actual information, not just koolade-induced denial and dismissal and rejection of differences.

You are very welcome, Jazuela.

I remember looking for info when I found TOTV in 2007. It was a brand new, tiny forum then.

TV is one of a kind. There is no other retirement community like it — and all that entails.

If you have never been here before, you will not believe how big it is and getting bigger every day. TV is pretty and sunny and inviting. There are many good things about living in TV. But the growth is on steroids. That growth comes with an overall effect. Villagers’ reactions to that effect will vary.

Take your time. Maybe rent first. I knew when we bought that we could sell easily if we wanted to so it was not like taking a huge leap for me.

Good luck to you. :)

I usually take 4 plus classes a day 7 days a week. If you are at a good gym certain instructors commands a hour line wait to ensure a spot.

So 45 minutes standing in line while looking at some of the most beautiful decor at rec centers or landscaping at the pools it a step up from inside of any fitness center.

As long as you master the tee schedule, tee times are not a problem. Each time I read your posts I am saddened that your posts are so negative about moving here. If you do I Hope that your life will improve with making new friends, joining clubs, and just enjoying life.

The Villages is getting bigger. Florida is getting more populated. It is now the third most populous State in the Union behind California and Texas. During the high season there are lines for Restaurants and activities all over Florida.

The Villages have continued to build all of the structures for fun, just as they have in the past and new people with talents to share are moving here and volunteering to teach us.

This is the high season. We will be waiting and crowded. I don't like it all, but I do like when our friends who are seasonal residents return. There is good and bad to everything if you look for it.

Perhaps you should Volunteer to start another Civil Discourse Group. There are recreation centers North of 466 that have vacant rooms.

There is a solution to having to stand in line for a place in a work out or other class and the Zentangle club is using it. They have an online sign up sheet on their website. Immediately after one class is finished you go home and sign up for the following week. There is a volunteer for the class at a table just inside the rec room door who checks off your name and you are in.

It can be done easily and efficiently with no pain!

Good morning Boomer: Congratulations on your commonsense piece above. You have a very rare talent ... when you post, people listen. :icon_wink:

Thank you for confirming what I was trying to convey that true access to all the wonderful activities can sometime suck!

You also confirmed my concern that a point system or fast pass system is now needed to handle the excessive demand.

Disney would limit the number of visitors allowed to enter their parks to assure that all ticket holders enjoyed the Disney experience as it was intended. Since developing the fast pass system they seldom close the entrance to the number of visitors.

I love new people and find visitors to be generally happy because they are in a vacation mode. Sharing facilities and meeting wonderful people during busy seasons does not fix a system that is broken, even in the off season.

The facts I stated were just that!
Surprisingly, some people felt compelled to make me feel like my intentions were to bash our community or that by comparison their ability to withstand an uncomfortable situation is more noble than my intention to try to identify and fix known problems. What good did that serve?

The topic was a proposal to waive amenity fees for volunteer class instructors...the discussion has morphed into seasonal crowding, which is ok. However, a number of off topic and directed posts have been removed.

Please discuss the post and not the poster.

Thank you,

Moderator

How would YOU fix this problem? I remember some people organized walking groups to keep up their exercise pattern when the classes got full. What Percentage does the population increase during high season? We still have the same ratio of homes and rec centers. Homes and golf courses. Homes and outdoor activities. I do remember in 2008 having to get there at seven to get into the eight A.M. Walk Off the Pounds Class at Odell Center DURING THE HIGH SEASON. Maybe it is worse now.

Use technology to fix this problem .... that's the solution to most everything, and if the instructor is not computer literate have one of her helpers set it up for her.

Sell more houses to people like me. I mostly sit home, watch TV, and drink beer.

There are a finite number of spaces in the class. There are more people vying for the spaces during high season. Technology could arrange that people would know what classes they were taking but they would still be missing classes and would not be able to attend as many as the want or "need". I think that is what the complaint is from exercisers, keeping up the level.

You cannot put ten pounds of stuff in a five pound bag, technology or no technology. Some of the "stuff" is going to have to wait. Patience is the only answer or doing something else active or similar.

Someone posted about using a system like the executive course tee time point reservation/request. My two cents worth is that is an excellent suggestion. The tee time system works like a fine tuned watch and is fair to all users. It prioritizes golfers that have the least amount of play over more frequent players. Just like the executive golf courses, every homeowner has the same right to use TV facilities (mother taught you to share). The basis of the system could be the tee time system with some modification.

You are right, but there is a charge for the tee time system. Money often throws a monkey wrench into things, and it should. Sharing is another SHOULD.

None of your argument about number of spaces etc., stands up. Sign up on line and you get a place in the class. BUT, the system has to be run by the instructor or helper, this is not a problem for the Developer to solve, it is up to the participants and the instructor to get the system in place..

There is no charge for the tee time system if you use the phone. To use the computer it is eight dollars per month. I will admit using the phone is very frustrating Vs the computerized method.