[LB]

We are wannabies from West Palm. We often rent a house which gives us passes. We are almost always checked at the pool. A villages employee goes from pool to pool and checks. No one was just sitting at the pool the whole time. We were glat to see that they were checking as hopeful buyers.LB

[redwitch]

Originally Posted by billstrickland

If my math is right, one visitor per Villager would amount to 75,000 more people a month using the facilities we have to pay for. They all need to stay out or buy a house here.

I doubt there are actually 75K people here even during high season. Also, there are many that wouldn't use such a pass at all, some only once or twice a year and some only occassionally. I doubt there would be many who would use a pass every month, although I'm sure there would be some.

I'm not suggesting that anyone be allowed to come use the facilities, but some of us do have friends who live in neighboring towns and in Ocala. Personally, I would love to show off some of the things I enjoy about TV. Who knows, it might even convince them to move here.

I do understand that some will abuse the privilege. There are always some who cheat. Fortunately, they are in the minority.

I'm not suggesting this so that my friends can use TV's facilities because they don't have the facilities or because our facilities are better. I'm suggesting this because I would like to reciprocate once in awhile. I play bridge in their clubhouse. I can swim in their pool. If I happen to date someone that doesn't live in TV, why couldn't I invite him to TV's New Year's Eve party to meet my friends or to a singles club dance here?

I do understand there should be rules, but there should also be some balance. If my friends live in Tampa, no problem. I can get them guest passes for up to 30 days a year. But if they live in Lady Lake, Ocala, Summerfield, they are persona non grata here.

[billstrickland]

The Villages have exceeded 76000 homeowners now on its way to 101,000. And if you can bring in a guest then I can and every owner could. They have to draw a line somewhere and because of so much abuse of the visitation rules they have chosen to invoke the tri-county rule, which is good. I have friends and relatives close by but they don't need to use my neighbors benefits that they paid dearly for.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by redwitch

I doubt there are actually 75K people here even during high season. Also, there are many that wouldn't use such a pass at all, some only once or twice a year and some only occassionally. I doubt there would be many who would use a pass every month, although I'm sure there would be some.

I'm not suggesting that anyone be allowed to come use the facilities, but some of us do have friends who live in neighboring towns and in Ocala. Personally, I would love to show off some of the things I enjoy about TV. Who knows, it might even convince them to move here.

I do understand that some will abuse the privilege. There are always some who cheat. Fortunately, they are in the minority.

I'm not suggesting this so that my friends can use TV's facilities because they don't have the facilities or because our facilities are better. I'm suggesting this because I would like to reciprocate once in awhile. I play bridge in their clubhouse. I can swim in their pool. If I happen to date someone that doesn't live in TV, why couldn't I invite him to TV's New Year's Eve party to meet my friends or to a singles club dance here?

I do understand there should be rules, but there should also be some balance. If my friends live in Tampa, no problem. I can get them guest passes for up to 30 days a year. But if they live in Lady Lake, Ocala, Summerfield, they are persona non grata here.

Hi Red,
I sympathize with your point, but do think the balance is about right. Unfortunately, I think you underestimate the abuse issue. Wasn't the rule implemented to begin with because of abuse? Wasn't abuse a factor in implementing the new Villager IDs? Don't even Villagers too often abuse community amenities "claiming" limited space in fitness classes and roping off seats that go unused for hours at popular entertainment events?

There are some opportunities for reciprocity, albeit limited, such as inviting people to your home, or to join you at the Town Squares, etc. Regardless of motive, opening the pools and rec centers to area residents means more crowding, higher maintenance costs, and unfortunately, greater abuse.

[Larry Wilson]

I just have to respond to the "claiming" limited space in exercise classes. My wife's favorite exercise class has been running about 135 people. The room is only suppose to have 120. Just like the squares, there isn't anywhere near enough space, and amenity paying people are turned away. In Jan.-March, you have to wait in line an hour to even get in- if you are lucky.

[downeaster]

Both Redqwitch abd Pturner make good points. It would be nice, Red, if we could invite local friends to share our amenities. However, this is not a perfect world. I agree with Pt. Unfortunately it would open the door for more abuse. Larry Wilson's post relative to the overcrowding highlights a problem shared by most of our amenities.

BTW, a friend from North Florida moved to Harbor Hills years ago. He liked HH and liked golf but golf at HH was too expensive. He had friends at TV. So, he moved assuming he could join his friends on the executive courses at TV. He gave up golf after one attempt to play at TV.