I'm not sure what you are asking, and I'm not trying to stir the pot at all, but I'm surprised you have to pay extra for your fitness centers.

We have two fitness centers in our "little" community, and they are free for all residents......every time I've gone in there I was the only one. I like that. Most of our activities are free, included in our $85.00 per month HOA fees.

Frank

sounds like what has been wrong with this country for past 20 or more years everybody wanted something provided to them with out paying for it.

My point was not it should be "free". Golf on executive golf courses (and championship golf courses) is not "free". It is part of the amenity fee. Everyone knows that. I am suggesting that the "free" golf may be one of the advertising points that helped the villages grow, but maybe, just maybe, it is time to move a small portion of the amenity fee to something that would be good for everyone: some fitness equipment in the rec centers for use by the villagers. It would be a very reasonable expense, it would appeal to another segment of potential home buyers and current owners, and it is very consistent with the very important theme here of a healthy active lifestyle. I reject the idea that the villagers cannot consider changes and improvements in the amenities the villages. Do the villagers really need the "permission" of the Developer to add exercise equipment to the amenities in the villages? Wow!!

Are you a Villager?

Take it to the AAC in the form of a petition as they now deal with how our amenity fees are spent.

Heck, everybody else knows how our amenity fees should be spent, without increasing them, of course. I thought the Friday fish fry was a bit much. However, in order to contribute to the mental and physical health of residents, the AAC should pay for a team of highly qualified prostitutes, both males and female, in sufficient number to satisfy whatever desires a resident might have without having to wait in line.

You know what's here and what costs when you buy. If you don't like it, find someplace else more to your liking. Don't expect the rest of us to pay for your perversions.

Muncle, perhaps you'd like a free car wash for your new spiffy cart.

I believe a forum like this is a good venue to express how we would like to see things changed. No harm in that ... and no need to come out with the "love it or leave it" notion. As I recall, a certain someone has suggested on more than one occasion that charging the full amenity fees for single people was unfair (and, yes, this policy was known before purchasing as well). I actually agree with the view that singles are being overcharged for their amenities and think it is OK to post it here - just as it's OK to post about free fitness centers.

Agree, this is a good forum to express how we'd like things changed. And using this forum, I'm expressing my view that many, many people are overly concerned about how unfair/unjust/biased/inconsiderate/greedy/insert adjective here TV is because the don't jump to the wish du jour of these people. It matters not what the issue is, be it free fitness centers, dog parks, indoor swimming pools, fences and/or property line bushes, or power boats on Lake Sumter, most of the time these people have done and will do nothing to make their desires happen, no call to TV management to even validate their outrage. They'd rather just b__ch. (A salute to some of the dog people. I may disagree with what they want, or I may not, but they are doing more than just carping on TOTV.) I am sooo sick of the very small minority of people here in TV who are always so negative, who are never satisfied, whose only joy in life seems to be to suck the souls out of others. And since so many of these people seem to find whatever their complaint to be so serious and critical to their life in TV, I have suggested and continue to suggest that they might be happier elsewhere.

And no, I have never seriously suggested that singles pay less amenity fee than others. What you might be remembering is that at least twice, I have commented that it is unfair that singles pay the same trail fee as a household of four. But I made these comments in a tread that discussed the cost of Executive golf and trail fees and another seeking "pet peeves." Maybe the sheer injustice of it all is enough to make me move.




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:agree:I checked out the gym at Colony and was appalled at the fee they charge for the equipment provided. I pay $40 in NY but the equipment is unbelievable. We have a multi level area with 30 treadmills,20 elyptical machines, 10 stairsteppers, dont know how many bikes..all other equipment is top notch and plentiful..I never wait to use anything and there are classes going on all the time. Once I hit 65 there is a "Silver Sneaker" program at the Gym which reduces cost to practically nothing...Why? to promote exercise and good heath for SENIORS>>>

Did you hear that VILLAGES... Laura

Although there is a cost to join the fitness centers there is so much happening at the Rec Centers at no cost. Check the paper. Everyday one can find Walking Aerobics, Walking Away the Pounds, Total Fitness, Zumba, Yoga, Qijong, Line Dancing, to name a few. When I first moved to The Villages I also thought there should be no cost for the fitness centers. Now, however, I realize maybe the cost is for the upkeep and maintenance of the equipment. I recently signed up again for 3 months. They currently have a special $100 for 3 months. I think this is very reasonable.

I can't really comment on whether the price should be included with the amenity fee since I don't own in TV.

But from my experience of belonging to 'gyms' for years I totally agree with MSNPA. It seems that the most fit people in the gym are those that take part in the various classes that are offered. And as mentioned there are numerous classes offered free throughout TV that more people who are concerned with fitness should attend regularly.

The cost of the fitness centers is computed over the total number of homes, not the amount of people in each home. Therefore singles would pay as much as married folk because they represent the use of one house. It is sort of like school taxes. Kids or not each person pays his share.

As a person who is only in TV 8 months out of the year, I still pay for 12 months of amenities. It would not be right for me not to pay for the 4 months I am not there as it would raise the rates for the 12 monthers.

Just my thought.

I agree. A forum is intended to foster discussion - and TOTV does that. And sometimes that discussion is just "blowing off steam" regarding some topic. Venting is OK - but IMHO it becomes whining over time when no initiative is taken to resolve the issue that is raised over and over again by the same people.

Whether it be kids driving golf carts, dogs peeing near the mailboxes, or the inequities of what is/isn't covered in amenity fees - work to find a solution.

Now I'll quit whining.:shrug:

Kate

When comparing many retirement communities, we found TV the worst in providing exercise equipment rooms. Almost every other community had exercise equipment in the rec centers that were a basic part of the amenity system. We bought here anyway because of the whole package.

We plan on getting our exercise the free way - on the golf course, riding bikes and using the rec center classes. The paid fitness centers are pretty underwheming in size. For the price charged, they should be much larger and provide some level of fitness classes. Facilities similar to the fitness centers (but 5 times larger) are available in my northeast community for costs of $10 to $20 a month. Perhaps we need a private club owner to open nearby and provide some competition.