I'm at a loss regarding your comment about TV's stressful lifestyle. The lifestyle is what YOU make it. If it is stressful to you, it is anything but that for me. My career was stressful, but in many ways positive stress. TV is hardly stressful. Perhaps some relaxation lessons would be of benefit.

The Villages is stressful??....that is too funny!!

Is TV stress factor different, than any other places stress factors? Stress is in one's mind on their outlook of life and their interaction with others. IMHO

At least TV offers so many opportunities to relieve one's stress, with it's myriad of exercise type activities. Drinking helps too!!! :D

sorry no outrage whatsoever, and you certainly don't speak for anyone but yourself!

Different people place different values on community amenities. Other communities have golf courses, activity centers, restaurants, bars, etc. But not one has a Katie Belle's. It is unique and, for a lot of people, it is a source of community pride. Something that sets the Villages apart from all the other retirement communities.

It is being replaced by retail stores and a generic second-floor restaurant. The Villages is losing something significant.

"How many more decisions are going to be made using OUR $$$ without our input?" All of them.

Prospective buyers should be forewarned that what they see here can disappear or change overnight. And as Bonny points out, what you see in the video means nothing. The video TV puts out is not a binding contract.

From a safety perspective, it is unbelievable that any fire marshal or building inspector would approve a second story establishment for 300 people, especially in a retirement community, with reports of nightclub fires and hundreds of people being killed. Assuming the kitchen would be on the top floor makes this an even more dangerous situation.

I'm not sure why Villagers should be outraged. :confused:
Our amenities don't subsidize Katie Belles.
Our amenities didn't subsidize Church on The Square.
It's private enterprise and they have every right to do whatever they want.
Although most residents are sad about the change, in all fairness, most of us rarely went there!

My Thoughts
 

For those of you concerned, KB will still be restricted to residents and guests only. If the residents and their guests stay away, then it will most likely be opened up to all. Many changes have and are being made here often times because of lack of support.

As for the Church on the Square, the same thing. At one time, it was "the only game in town". There were not churches everywhere like now. Are those living south of 466, 466A, and beyond going to come there for any and all their occasions, including to go to church? My guess, is not. I am sure that the newer residents probably don't know or remember how many here clamored for years for a "Performing Arts Center". Well, apparently someone listened so to say they don't listen to what residents want.........

This is all just my 2 cents, but I have seen many changes since buying here in 2003 and moving in in 2004. People will always complain when it comes to change. As for the money aspect, how many here know of anyone, ANYONE, who is in business to not make money? Some of you on here owned your own businesses. Did you go into business just to furnish whatever your product was to give it away or not make a profit? Why should the Morse family be any different?

We all have choices here and there is something for everyone if you want it. We are all free to pick and choose. I don't know of anyone who was forced to come here and I don't know of anyone being forced to stay here. Seems pretty simple to me.

big deal
 

:posting: The few times I have been there, the food was sub-par. Of course, that was during the off season, as I didn't want to wait in the long lines during the snow bird season. I tried to bring visitors to the place but couldn't get in, it was so crowded. If I want to impress visitors now, I take them to one of the many great Club restaurants. It's called Free Enterprise folks. I realize that this concept has become a bit vague in the past few years, but we do live in a free country. Hopefully, the change will be for the better. If not, then it too will become pass'e. The black side of the ledger dictates the business, not the red side or charity. :spoken:

NONE of OUR money is being used at Katie Belles or the "church". And I'm sure the upgrades will include all necessary safety pieces. The new KB's will be no more hazardous than the Cattle Baron is now. In fact i'd wager there will be MORE safety precautions in the remodel.

I wonder how people that own multiple houses and rent them out would like it if the developer dictated what you can charge? Seems much like the question 'they should ask us about KB's & the 'church'!

Wouldn't they be required to install an elevator? Although I don't think they need a requirement to do the right thing. Are there elevators in the Sharon Morse auditorium?

Didn't one of the earlier post says there was an elevator, in KB's?

Katie Belle's
 

This change is not what my wife and I were sold in 2000. It's true, that an owner can do with their property anything they want to do within the law. However, it seems to me that there was an implied condition that The Church on the Square and Katie Belle's were major enticement points in the sales propaganda.

My wife and I are very disappointed that the evenings that we enjoyed on the balconies of the Cattle Baron's Club will be gone. We felt that many of the employees had become like family and we will miss them.

there is already an elevator, I was on it with my wife last week

That Katie Belles isn't very profitable is a real shame. The make believe church was remodeled to into a beautiful theatre. So beautiful it's not as affordable.

I would have thought that Katie Belle's could take over those little concerts that were held in the church for 4 or 5 dollars a pop. Maybe the stage could be elevated? Maybe folding chairs on the dance floor? Maybe a membership would be affordable? When I joined a public course, I played all the time. When I had to pay, I would wait for great weather and friends.

Upstairs, if you are lucky enough to see the show where you sit you could order drinks, apps or desserts with a per person minimum.

I'm just brainstorming.