We have the worst gates in the Villages
 

I’m just back from a short trip. I enter Virginia Trace through the gate at Stillwater and Canal. The resident gate is knocked off its arm. The non-resident gate is not working properly and therefore left up. I would estimate that one or both of these conditions exist two to three times a month. I don’t see this same situation at other gates throughout the Villages. Why is the resident gate so frequently knocked over. Are that many impaired people leaving Lake Sumter Landing at night? Why is the nonresident side frequently inoperable? It seems like it’s mechanically way out of warranty. The single exit side gate is somewhat more reliable, but only somewhat.

I want to propose that the entire installation be torn up and redone. While it’s torn up, I would also like a real cute gatehouse added. I want one just like the ones you see along El Camino Real. You know, the ones with the filigree on top. I don’t demand a person to man my gatehouse but if there is one I’ll supply a description of what they should look like. It seems crystal clear to me that the gatehouse will foster much better driving from the impaired people leaving the Landing.

It they can't see the gate ? How that going to stop people from not stopping? Gates And speed bumps would work better IMO. Something that would rattle you teeth out it you were going over 5 mph entering the gate:pepper2::pepper2:

It's not the gates that is the problem, it's the drivers.

Exactly. Impatience, being the key word.

yes speed bumps should help, but maybe just remove the gates.

I Like The Gates
 

The gates serve a very valid purpose with benefits far outweighing liabilities.

I am sure a small percentage of people hit the gate arms out of spite, a % because they should probably not be driving at all % because they are approaching the gate too quickly % inattentive/drunk % because they miscalculate % that try and slip through by piggybacking on the car ahead and a % that use the gates picture perfect.

So don't be spiteful, don't drive if you can't, don't speed toward the gate,don't drink while driving and take your tun in line and 100% of us will use the gate picture perfect

Is that a lump inside your cheek? :icon_wink:

Don

Might be more appropriately titled "Worst Drivers in the world"!

Also, the villages of Virginia Trace, Sable Chase, and Largo are, as far as I know, the only villages that does not have a NEARBY gate house attendant. If someone is looking for a particular address or information of any kind, there is nobody to help them at Stillwater/Canal entrance, Morse/Odell entrance, Buena Vista/Odell entrance across from Miona Rec. Ctr. , OR Bonita/Canal entrance. All 4 gates are unattended and a person with a question would have to go to Buena Vista/Odell across from Sea Breeze Rec. Ctr.

The problem is cars. That's what's knocking all the gate arms down!

Amen to that! I usually leave my home at about 6am to do my 5 miles; As I was walking north on the MMP besides Buena Vista this morning, there goes a non street legal Club Car going south on Buena Vista. I thought I had seen my share of bad drivers in my 25 yrs. as a LEO; nah, these here are incredible.

The gates are a joke!
 

Hear! Hear! The gates are an utter and complete joke! Although no Villages officials will ever admit it, I suspect the gates serve as a marketing ploy, giving the appearance of is a gated community. Speed bumps would be just as effective in slowing down traffic without the expense of manning and maintaining the gates. Take the stupid things out!

YOU ALL ARE REALLY SILLY. THE GATES GET knocked down mostly by people trying to rush through with the person in front of them. Sometimes a large truck is pulling a unit behind, and that hits the gate. there are cameras that records the incidents. People are charged for the damage. 99% of the people in the villages have no problem with the gates.

Without the gates or when the gates are broken, it is very dangerous for golf carts to cross over Canal to get to the cart path - we definitely need those gates for our safety - they are NOT stupid.

gates
 

I agree!! If you ever saw the amount of money spent to repair the gates it would make stripping the paths seem like chickenfeed!!:agree: