[Bonny]

Originally Posted by rustyp

"resident-only club" in a retirement community located on the second floor ? Brilliant idea for those with walkers and wheelchairs.

There's an elevator

[ziggie]

Originally Posted by Bonny

Most who have been here for many years have watched "many" transformations of Katie Belles / Cattle Baron. It has never been a money maker. Not even a break even.
I get upset when I see people staying all night for bands like Cactus Jack and they order a coke. Some even bring a bottle of water in their purse and don't spend a dime. They'll even stand so they don't have to pay the cover charge. They are usually the complainers and then say something like, we pay our amenity fees.
I will miss the way it was, but things change. The upstairs has always been one of our favorite spots in the Villages. I will miss that balcony.
I'm sure when it's done, it will be another awesome place in the Villages.

Very nicely said

[golddigger52]

Katie Belles is a residents only/ guests perk. I think is disgusting that now that the Morse children are in charge the Villages is rapidly moving away from "Americas Friendliest Home Town". They are taking away all the things that make this a "Home Town". First it was the parades, (every home town celebrates with parades) that were removed. Then the parking at the polo grounds for golf carts was charged for instead of free. I understand that this is all because everything is going to private businesses, but the family is responsible for that too. It's becoming all about $$$ and not lifestyle. I appreciate the need for profit but there are limits. The Villages is selling their houses based on lifestlye and supposedly thats why they cost more than other senior developements but we are slowly losing the original vision.

[Allegiance]

When I bought, specifically near Katie Belles, it was presented as an amenity. I think the timing of the announcement is suspicious. Not only is it very short notice, but the the day after many residents have left!!!!!

Is there some legal eagle on this board that can put a temporary injunction on this project to give the community time to review??

I will donate a couple hundred to the cause.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by golddigger52

Katie Belles is a residents only/ guests perk. I think is disgusting that now that the Morse children are in charge the Villages is rapidly moving away from "Americas Friendliest Home Town". They are taking away all the things that make this a "Home Town". First it was the parades, (every home town celebrates with parades) that were removed. Then the parking at the polo grounds for golf carts was charged for instead of free. I understand that this is all because everything is going to private businesses, but the family is responsible for that too. It's becoming all about $$$ and not lifestyle. I appreciate the need for profit but there are limits. The Villages is selling their houses based on lifestlye and supposedly thats why they cost more than other senior developements but we are slowly losing the original vision.

Most of the things cited here were not done by just the children. The children have been involved with the operations here for many years and know the vision of the family.
I'm not sure what remodeling and making changes to Katie Belles has to do with moving away from America's Friendliest Hometown. I would suspect that this has been in the plans for quite sometime and is not a decision made by just the children.
They are continually investing their money making sure we have a beautiful place to enjoy.
Personally I give a big thank you to the Morse family.
I thank them all for the wonderful Lifestyle we have here.

[doran]

Maybe this is just an April fools joke!! Hope so!!!

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by Allegiance

When I bought, specifically near Katie Belles, it was presented as an amenity. I think the timing of the announcement is suspicious. Not only is it very short notice, but the the day after many residents have left!!!!!

Is there some legal eagle on this board that can put a temporary injunction on this project to give the community time to review??

I will donate a couple hundred to the cause.

Why would you think the community has the right to review this ?

[rhondac]

I do not golf. I was sold on the amazing entertainment in The Villages ten years ago. It was what caught my attention. I was told that Katie Belles is "our Residents Club". I am so disappointed and angry. The residents opinion should be considered! The reason the music sounds so good is because of the 2 story atrium. I hope this residents club isn't totally ruined because of greed to enclose and lease the 1st floor.....this is not good news. Not good at all. KBs was the only professional indoor venue for dancing and live bands, ..............BTW ..........entertainment @ any coast and beach sounds great right now! The Villages reputation is sinking little by little......bit by bit.....what a shame.....this is unbelievable.....but my smart hubby called this act years ago.....

[NYGUY]

While some people do not like the changes, I thinks it speaks well of the family's willingness to continue investing more money on some of the older sections of The Villages.

[blue72]

We bought our home specifically near Spanish Springs mostly to be near Katie Belles. It is our favorite place to be in TV.
We are not people who bring in our own water or just purchase cokes.
We enjoy eating full meals both upstairs and down. Having the choice of both floors was always a nice opportunity we enjoyed.
We believe Katie Belles needed only a face lift not major surgery. New chairs, flooring, and improved dance floor surface is all it really needed.
The artists rendition appears to lack any of the CHARM which made Katie Belles so special.
Yes it will have new fixtures and such, but it will now be just like any other joint with food, drink and entertainment on the same floor. SAME STUFF NOTHING UNIQUE!!!!!!!!
We have always been proud to take our visiting guests to Katie Belle and specifically The Cattle Barons Club for a good meal, fun, and most of all, a spacious view of the stage and people dancing below.
The CHARM AND CHARACHTER will certainly be gone having it all on one floor.
The CROWN JEWEL of The Villages will not longer be.


We appreciate the Morse family and all they have done to improve the quality of our lives here in TV.
This is just a TERRIBLE decision by them which effects us all.
THIS TIME THEY GOT IT WRONG!!!!!!!!!
WHAT A SHAME!!!!!!!!!!!

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by iaudit

According to the Daily Sun, Katie Belle's is being relocated to the second floor and the Cattle Baron's Club is going away. Seating is being expanded to 300 and the first floor will be commercial. Although not explicitly stated, looking at the artist rendition in the paper showing entertainment and seating area, there does not appear to be a dancing area.

IT'S AN OUTRAGOUS ACT THAT HAS NO CONCERN FOR THE WISHES OF THE RESIDENTS. WHEN I HAD VISITORS, ON THE LIST OF THINGS TO SEE FIRST WERE THE CHURCH ON THE SQUARE (GONE) AND THE BEAUTY OF KATIE BELLES. (SOON TO BE GONE) WHAT IS IT WITH THE CURRENT DEVELOPER DECISIONS? EVERYONE KNOWS THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IS WITHOUT AMPLE PARKING AND A CENTER SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED ELSEWHERE. WHAT STUPID PERSON IS MAKING THESE DECISIONS ??

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by handyman

I think that the children have lost the vision of their Father and Grandfather and now only see $,Katie'Belle's really did need work but I believe that this is the first step in shutting it down

You got it right !!!! Katie Belles upstairs ( typical dining ) and perhaps a ice cream store or craft shop on the ground floor.

[dbussone]

Wow. Start passing out the Zanex!

[Allegiance]

Originally Posted by Bonny

Why would you think the community has the right to review this ?

I am not the legal eagle, but if they tear the place apart no judge will make them restore it. It appears that "our members only club" will be less than 1/2 the size with no vaulted character.

Whether it was ever a written amenity or maybe implied it needs a little review by the interested parties before they rip it apart.

If it is considered an amenity, so be it if it loses money.

I buy my dinners and drinks, I dont bring in my own beverages and i dont milk one drink all night.

I would rather see a minimum purchase or a small rise in amenities fees than see this icon "destroyed."

Maybe I am wrong and the place will be better than before. BUT I read this board every day and no one mentioned this until today. Seems a little strange and sneaky.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, I love the villages and the developers, maybe as much as Gracie, but I would like to know what exactly is being changed and find out if the residents have any right to input.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by Bonny

Most of the things cited here were not done by just the children. The children have been involved with the operations here for many years and know the vision of the family.
I'm not sure what remodeling and making changes to Katie Belles has to do with moving away from America's Friendliest Hometown. I would suspect that this has been in the plans for quite sometime and is not a decision made by just the children.
They are continually investing their money making sure we have a beautiful place to enjoy.
Personally I give a big thank you to the Morse family.
I thank them all for the wonderful Lifestyle we have here.

Who in the world would ever conclude that the Family is investing their money so we can have a beautiful place to live. It's about making more and more money !!! I cannot think of a single benefit we enjoy that is a cost to the developer. Gary Morse had a net worth of over 1.2 billion dollars, so he certainly didn't invest a lot of it back into things for the enjoyment of the residents. If it doesn't make money, out it goes >>>>...