Unwelcome experience
 

My friends and I made use of a “stay and play” rental thus past week. We looked up an activity in the daily section the newspaper and found an evening activity. Upon arrival to the rec center at designated time, was pointed to person in charge of activity. This person then preceded to grill us of where we will lived and then were told this activity was only for said person’s friends, and folks that live in that particular village. We left feeling very unwelcome. I was under the impression a villager could make use of any rec center or activity. I’m thinking if it was only for certain ppl, maybe it shouldn’t be listed in the newspaper? Maybe I’m wrong....

You need a Villages ID to attend any activity at the Rec centers. Some rooms are booked for private parties. There are also clubs that you can join for a small membership fee, again, you need a Villages ID.

Could you give more information?

What was the activity that you tried to attend? I see after rereading your post that it was a Village group. Perhaps a social event or a pot luck for a certain neighborhood or some sort of entertainment that each person paid for in advance.. Many activites are open to all but some such as pottery require a course about techniques and use of equipment. The same room is open to all for ceramics. Some clubs such as the Long Island Club and the Cincinnati Club are filled up with waiting lists. Anyone can start a new club, taking responsibility for the room and it's rules.

It sometimes takes a while to see just how things work here, but I would be very surprised if the person who asked you for your I.D. and other questions was not respectful and polite.

I would complain to the paper. They should not be advertising groups that are not open to all Villagers. If the OP was on a lifestyle visit they did have a villages ID card that would get them into rec centers.

I must go with the organized group and say they have the right to say who can and not attend. If the article in the paper did not specifically say OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, I would understand that to be a member only event.

Oh please. All activities are listed. Otherwise the room would appear to be empty and available.

Some clubs are restricted. If a group uses a rec center on a regular basis, it will be listed regardless of restrictions. There is usually a contact number you can call to find out if it is open to everyone or if there are any restrictions. I know of a poker group I would dearly love to join. Unfortunately, women are not welcome and they have the right to restrict who plays even though it is held at a rec center every other Friday.

I’m sorry you were made to feel unwelcome. It sounds like it could have been handled better by the organizer. Rather than grilling, she could have started by explaining the restrictions and either invited you to join with you having the knowledge you’d be a total outsider or kindly let you go on your way with a simple apology.

"Stay and Play Rental" sounds like a marketing gimmick, I never heard of that and I've lived here 8 years. The Villages has a program called LSV (Lifestyle Visit), it's on their website. You can stay in a Village home or villa and use all the facilities and play one round of championship golf and one round of executive golf. It's $99 a night up to $149 a night depending on the season and is normally for a stay of 4 to 14 days.

Owners renting their homes to non-owners must get guest passes for the renters to use all the Villages facilities. I would bring this up with the rental agency or owner that you contracted with that their advertising is misleading.

Just wondering too, I have not heard of “Stay and Play” either. You may have rented from someone who did not tell you that you need a Village ID to “play”. Or maybe you weren’t renting in The Villages at all but perhaps somewhere near?

If you were on a Lifestyle visit, I’d call the sales office and ask for an explanation.

Folks, it doesn’t sound like there was an ID issue, simply an issue with the club itself. Even though using the rec center, they consider themselves a private club. Not sure if entirely kosher, but not uncommon.

In that case, the paper might mention “Timbuctoo Club it’s meeting (members only).” So no misunderstanding.

The OP mentioned they took advantage of "stay and play" offered by someone, as if they were visitors. Then the OP said they thought "Villagers" were welcome anywhere, as if they lived here. I'm not really believing this thread is anything other than an attempt to make Villagers look bad. Maybe a troll from the Minton gang.

Really? We were renting from the villages. They gave us ID badges to use during our stay. Group was advertised in the Villages Sun newspaper living section. This continues the narrative of rudeness...

We were given temp ID badges to use during our stay. Group advertised in living section of the Villages Daily Sun newspaper. I guess I misinterpreted that all groups/events listed were open to all.

I tried joining a couple of book clubs that are advertised in the recreation newsletter. They are specific to a Village, I don't recall which villages - like the Belvedere Book Club, or the Hemingway book club for example. I was told I couldn't attend since I don't live in that particular village. I suppose they have the right to limit attendance in any way they choose, but I wouldn't call it very friendly. I used to belong to the Largo book club which welcomed everyone.