[santiagobob]

??? IT HAS BEEN STATED THAT THE NEW PROPERTIES OF THE VILLAGES DEVELOPMENT BISON VALLY ON ST. RT.101 (behind the new Bealls)will not have to pay monthly amenity fees like the rest of us. There is a golf cart path provided so the Bison Valley residents can gain access to all our facilities. With no one monitoring our pools and the ability to get on our golf courses especially after hours people in golf carts do not attract much attention. If Bison Valley is being marketed by the Villages Sales department, why are they not required to pay monthly amenity fees?

[Dayton]

Bison Valley is a family village, as is Spring Arbor SR 466 going east toward Rolling Acres Rd. The families in Bison Valley do not have access to our pools, rec centers, or free golf.

Also, a family member must be an employee of The Villages to buy a home there.

[KayakerNC]

Originally Posted by Dayton

Bison Valley is a family village, as is Spring Arbor SR 466 going east toward Rolling Acres Rd. The families in Bison Valley do not have access to our pools, rec centers, or free golf.
Also, a family member must be an employee of The Villages to buy a home there.

Looks like it is open to all. However The Villages amenities are not mentioned on the website.
http://bisonvalleyvillage.com/

[blueeagle65]

I think that the point being made is that 'their' golf carts will have access to 'our' golf cart trails in the event they should should choose to use them. Without chipping for maintenance, etc. They'll also have access to our neighborhoods as well.

[Dayton]

Unless the rules were changed very, very recently, a home buyer had to work in The Villages. This comes from new residents in Bison Valley that I have personally spoken to.

[redwitch]

I know of someone who has bought there in the past 2 weeks. He is a single parent, 2 kids, does not presently work for TV nor does he plan to. His mother and sister live in TV and he wanted to be near them. I think that one of the big selling points is have kids and grandkids close to TV residents, so having golf cart access makes sense.

[Best Mom]

Question? I go to the pool morning and night.(to avoid the sun) I use mainly one pool but are very close to 5 pools.(one of the reasons I like my location) In 4 years I have only been asked to show my ID card once. I say again, I use the pools in the morning and at dusk, not the busiest times.
The pool I use the most, never check the people in the water. Anyone new, the regulars give them this advice.
So basically the pools are unwatched. So what is going to keep these pools for residents only??(especially when you come by golf cart) It is a 10 minute golf cart ride to Bison valley from my pool.

[graciegirl]

We are checked everytime we enter Odell pool area.

[villages07]

Agree with Gracie...I am always checked at the Family pools and at Sports Pools.

Now, in our local adult neighborhood pool...not very often, but yes they have been checking....maybe twice in the last month that I have been there. For the first year I was here, they checked pretty frequently, then not at all for the longest time, but, recently they have begun checking again. My pool is located very much in the interior of the Villages...not somewhere likely to be accessed from the outside. Pools closer to the boundaries of TV or near commercial areas might see more instances of "poachers".

I have read reports about ID checking in the CDD meeting minutes and the amenity authority committee meetings. They have reported statistics on the # of ids checked and instances of non compliance.

[Best Mom]

I agree that they check at family pools and sports pools. There are rec centers near all those pools.

The pools I use morning and night are the adult pools. They have no attendants near these pools.

I have never been checked at the adult pool but once in 4 years. Plus, as I said, anyone can jump in the water if they don't have ID. I am using the Ashland pool and sometimes the Lynnhaven, Bonnybrook or the Bridgeport at Lake Miona pools. I am talking about the adult pools.

[Best Mom]

You right villages 007.
We are right on the edge of the Villages. There is even a county road with no gates to cut through this edge of The Villages.
I am sure that is a factor.


I hope they do more ID checks.

[MikeH]

Why not call the District Administrator's Office, 751-6712, and ask your questions. Seems to me they would know the correct answers or where to get them. Of course, if you don't trust the developer, ask your neighbor or friends. I'm sure they know the answers to all your questions.

Also, would you be happy if the checker at the pool makes you get out of the water to check your ID? Maybe we should have a vote and see how residents feel about that.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by villages07

Agree with Gracie...I am always checked at the Family pools and at Sports Pools.

Now, in our local adult neighborhood pool...not very often, but yes they have been checking....maybe twice in the last month that I have been there. For the first year I was here, they checked pretty frequently, then not at all for the longest time, but, recently they have begun checking again. My pool is located very much in the interior of the Villages...not somewhere likely to be accessed from the outside. Pools closer to the boundaries of TV or near commercial areas might see more instances of "poachers".

I have read reports about ID checking in the CDD meeting minutes and the amenity authority committee meetings. They have reported statistics on the # of ids checked and instances of non compliance.

Nancy

In fact it is a bit of an annoyance to be checked everytime, everyday, because as you know we just walk out our back door and into the pool area. I feel that our Villages ID's are so important, and I hate to take a purse with me, need no keys because we don't drive, and afraid to stick the ID in the pocket of our cover ups for fear it will drop out and get lost.

Even those who I know recognize us, ask each time for an ID. I guess I should have a different attitude. I was even thinking of making a copy and sticking it into our pockets, but it says plain as day. Don't Make Copies!

[The Great Fumar]

I live in chatham and only go to adult pools ...I have always been checked..
If you see someone you don't think is qualified to be there , then pick up the service phone and report it . someone will be there to check it very shortly...happens every once in a while at our pool......If not , then I suggest you try to swim at one end.. ;D ;D ;D

[Cassie325]

Ok gang....this is from the "horses mouth"...not that I am a horse...but I have personal experience....for those of you that remember my partner (50+) and I have an 11 year old daughter.

We OWN a home in The Villages and LOVE it here....however we also know that children are not allowed to live here...nor "visit" more than 30 days a year.

Now....we could have come in here and just tried to "get away" with the child being here...but we have rented a condo outside of TV's and will live there most of the time....this is the sacrifice we have made because of how much we love it here and respect the "rules".

However when we first decided to move here...we toured and picked out a home in Bison Valley. There are only 10 realtors from Properties of TV's that are allowed to sell them....you do NOT need to be an employee of TV's. That is what they started out as....but then places like Lakeside Landing...and now The Villages of Parkwood were coming in and allowing families to be here....well they need to compete. The houses are beautiful and more expensive than the other two places...again you do NOT need to be an employee....that was very clear.

HOWEVER.....our realtor was VERY clear that you were not allowed to access the pools or golf courses...like TV residents are....while there is no amenity fee...there is no real privileges other than golf cart access....(honestly...I would rather drive my PT). The other family communities offer their own pools and fun stuff....Bison has nothing extra.

NOW....if the pool guards are not checking ID's....that is not the fault of anyone but the guards. As far as golf cart accessibility....yes they can access the rest of the community...although they do not have gate keys....but remember that there are several other communities in the area whether they are adult only or family...that can access TV's by either golf cart on dirt roads....or by a street legal cart....

I know I am a little younger than a typical villager....but I LOVE it here...pay our amenity fee...and don't really use the pools...or the golf courses. My partner uses them as she should....but honestly it really is not the folks in the family villages that should concern you. These are the people that are working here....one must a very unique person to want to raise their child in or near a retirement community that really doesn't pay the very best...aahhh....yes I am very unique....and I do not work for TV's.

TV's would be smart if they created an area for swimming and recreation (with a fee attached) for the families....then there would be no temptation to use any of TV's pools.

I also want to point out that just because a family lives in Bison Valley, Spring Arbor or any other "family village" owned or not by TV's, it does NOT guarantee them a place in TV Charter School....I only wish that was the case.
I work for a great company, work from home, benefit the lives of MANY....and make good money. I am young and need to keep working right now to save for my early retirement in TV's....so I do NOT want to work a full time job to send my daughter to the charter school. I have to pay a heavy tuition to keep her in a decent and safe school.

If we lived in Bison Valley....and did not work for TV's and did not have the means to send her to private school.....well....she would have to attend Wildwood schools. This was not going to happen in my life time. I wish to the good lord she could go to the charter school.....but these are the choices we have made.

Ok.....so here is my life story and my 2-3 cents....at least for the moment.

I LOVE TV's and respect the rules, the residents and community. I own here and pay the fees....but also pay (as I should) dearly to have another home...outside TV's...

I guess my point is that I really don't think it is the families at Bison Valley that you need to concern yourself with....it is the fact that anyone who is living just outside TV's (with kids or not) can truly access the paths or with a street legal if they want to....

I really think there are two different issues.....1) do you want, care, mind the fact that the kids are around....2) should only villagers be allowed golf cart access on the paths....perhaps....but what can anyone do to fix that?

Sorry for the long note.....hope I didn't upset anyone....it really is to late for me to be talking more or less writing....I love you all and hope you don't think me any differently now that you know...that not only am I one of you....but also one of the outsiders......aaaaahhhhhh.......