[graciegirl]

If only I had the b...., I mean the courage to say it like you do Muncle. But I so agree.

[Bogie Shooter]

"But if it's really that bad and you really can't stand it, remember that the road you came in on goes both directions. "
That sure hit the nail on the head!
Well done....Muncie

Yeah Muncle, "if you don't like it you can leave" - we've all heard that before. Frankly I see nothing wrong with pointing out shortcomings, and trying to make things better. The Villages is a great place, but its not a perfect place. There is always room for improvement no matter what community you live in.

[NJblue]

One commonality of all these things is that they would cost money. They would cost US money.

Well, I'm not sure that that's true (unless my sales rep and contract that I signed lied to me). The amenity fee for existing residents is fixed to the rate of inflation. Hence doubling the number of fitness centers won't cost anything more than doubling the number of pickleball courts or swimming pools or whatever. From an existing resident perspective, their amenity fee is going to go up at the same rate whether we add more fitness centers or not.

What it may mean (see below for an exception), however, is that adding another fitness center or two will come from the same budget that is used for the other amenities such as golf and tennis and pickleball. My point has been that the cost of a fitness center relative to the cost of a golf course is almost insignificant and hence not much would have to be given up from other amenities in order to provide another fitness center or two.

Of course, this assume that a fitness center is treated as an amenity. As has been pointed out above, there is a charge for a fitness membersship and hence is not an amenity such as executive golf or swimming, etc. There may be some subsidy coming from the amenity fee for fitness centers, but as of now, 100% of the fixed and operational costs for the fitness centers do NOT come from the amenity fee. If this business model persists, then the addition of another fitness center or two would have an even smaller impact on the other amenities.

Yeah, we newbies can be a PITA with our suggestions, but bear in mind that we represent the next wave of people that is retiring. To ignore our desires/suggestions and keep things the way they were 5 or 10 years ago may come at the cost of TV becoming obsolete. A good business will change and adapt to a changing marketplace. A business that ignores its customers and clings to an old business model is asking to become the next buggy whip maker.

[Barefoot]

If enough people mention that they want expanded fitness facilities on the annual survey, I'm sure TV will provide them. Since people pay to use the fitness facilities, it shouldn't cost a lot out of the amenitites budget.

And while we're at it, why not turn one of the golf courses into a dog park?
Before you start throwing shoes, I'm kidding!

[ConeyIsBabe]

Originally Posted by NJblue

Yeah, we newbies can be a PITA with our suggestions, but bear in mind that we represent the next wave of people that is retiring. To ignore our desires/suggestions and keep things the way they were 5 or 10 years ago may come at the cost of TV becoming obsolete. A good business will change and adapt to a changing marketplace. A business that ignores its customers and clings to an old business model is asking to become the next buggy whip maker.

Very well said NJblue

[Best Mom]

Can anyone tell me why different fees are charged at the Wellness Center?
I just learned about that today. My friends in Summerhill are paying less than my friends in Mallory for the same membership. I bet it is another case like the amenity fees where it depends on when you bought your home here.
Yes, my friends in Mallory are paying more and have been here a shorter time.

[ConeyIsBabe]

Originally Posted by Best Mom

Can anyone tell me why different fees are charged at the Wellness Center?
I just learned about that today. My friends in Summerhill are paying less than my friends in Mallory for the same membership. I bet it is another case like the amenity fees where it depends on when you bought your home here.
Yes, my friends in Mallory are paying more and have been here a shorter time.

BestMom..... I remember recently reading where someone posted the different fees which are based on peak day/time (costing more money) and days/times when the fitness center is less crowded - therefore costing less money. It seems like an effort to regulate the flow of participants.

Originally Posted by NJblue

...Yeah, we newbies can be a PITA with our suggestions, but bear in mind that we represent the next wave of people that is retiring. To ignore our desires/suggestions and keep things the way they were 5 or 10 years ago may come at the cost of TV becoming obsolete. A good business will change and adapt to a changing marketplace. A business that ignores its customers and clings to an old business model is asking to become the next buggy whip maker.

Good points, NJBlue. Many people have never played pickleball for example, before coming here, so that may not be a draw for them when purchasing. But many of the younger folks will be looking at health clubs and exercise facilities.

[Autoshow]

Originally Posted by Whalen

It's not really a debate about indoor activities or outdoor activities.
Considering the amount of money spent on bonds, amenities fees etc, many people expect at least some equipment in the recreation facilities which do not entail a fee.
As stated before, most 55+ communities have work out facilities available as part of the total package.
I have visited communities with as few as 500 homes which had gyms as big as the regional centers here.

Almost everything in TV has a fee,something the sales people do not tell you.

[Best Mom]

Yes CIB that is true.
I am not talking about that.
My friends have the exact same memberships but the ones in Summerhill(old side) could keep renewing their membership at the same price they first paid which is much cheaper than my friends in Mallory(new side) have to pay.
It is interesting to have the same facilities but different prices. It reminds me of the way they price the amenity fees.

[ConeyIsBabe]

Originally Posted by Best Mom

Yes CIB that is true.
I am not talking about that.
My friends have the exact same memberships but the ones in Summerhill(old side) could keep renewing their membership at the same price they first payed which is much cheaper than my friends in Mallory(new side) have to pay.
It is interesting to have the same facilities but different prices. It reminds me of the way they price the amenity fees.

Now I AM confused !

[homeball]

Originally Posted by Best Mom

Yes CIB that is true.
I am not talking about that.
My friends have the exact same memberships but the ones in Summerhill(old side) could keep renewing their membership at the same price they first paid which is much cheaper than my friends in Mallory(new side) have to pay.
It is interesting to have the same facilities but different prices. It reminds me of the way they price the amenity fees.

I think that was possibly a concession to the folks who live on the old side since they do not have the same infrastructure and conveniences as the new side. (Golf cart paths are actually in the roadway versus being separate and apart for example). Some folks on the old side feel that, when the developer crossed 466 to come south, they were put on the back burner so to speak since all the developers resources were directed south and no improvements were being done north. Another point to consider is that possibly the folks (old side) were grandfathered since they were villagers so much longer.

It's not unusual for longtime members of gyms, etc. to have their membership fees frozen in place. I'm a member of the national Bally chain of gym clubs in NY. I've been a member since 1975 when it started out as the old Jack LaLanne's. When Bally's took over in the late eighties they froze the membership fees of the then current members to keep them on. It was the newbies who paid the higher fees. My membership fee hasn't gone up in 20 years. I'm still paying $150 a year. And there are two story gyms to boot. I guess I'm in for a major adjustment when I soon move to TV.

-Dave-

[F16 1UB]

And many fitness centers in the surrounding Cincinnati area are crying for membership. Some are giving 2 weeks free and no contracts. Then there's TV newspaper circulation that keeps increasing. "Only in TV".

F16

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by NJblue

but as of now, 100% of the fixed and operational costs for the fitness centers do NOT come from the amenity fee.

OK, if this is the case, then it is strictly a business decision. In that case Muncle makes a great point that those new fitness centers might be deserted during the 'off' months. We know that most people don't want to pay for services that they can't use so why would these centers be profitable? Or would it get to a point that they would need to be subsidized by the amenity fee which is only tied to inflation and not new additions.

Maybe, since I'm not there yet, that I missing the point. From what I've just re-read, Colony center is not busy at all times and it does cost something to join beside the amenity fee. Omni center is just down the road, albeit not cart accessible, and is a private enterprise so it wouldn't impact the amenity fees for the residents. It appears that this is only an issue during Jan-Mar and only during the busy hours (early morning I presume).

For those that haven't seen it there is a very good article in this month's TV magazine about a couple who are getting seriously fit using the wellness center. There are also other articles relating to fitness in TV and the hospital. Worth a read: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/thevillages/0109/

OK, I know that this mag is a TV marketing piece and it doesn't hurt to voice concerns but I wonder how many others (my guess is the silent majority) are finding life in TV to be much better for their physical fitness than it used to be up 'north'?