[JoMar]

Proven again, you can please some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time.

[The Buckeyes]

Whether they cost out the price for a shuttle in the ticket price or some other way, a shuttle is needed and maybe two of them. Let's face it sometimes the mind is willing but the body isn't. Bottom line....if it too far to park from the venue, then try to walk to it and from it after the show....people will not buy tickets!

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by The Buckeyes

Whether they cost out the price for a shuttle in the ticket price or some other way, a shuttle is needed and maybe two of them. Let's face it sometimes the mind is willing but the body isn't. Bottom line....if it too far to park from the venue, then try to walk to it and from it after the show....people will not buy tickets!

Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded.

[outlaw]

If enough people would have used the valet service, as many posters had predicted, the service would most likely still be there. It, apparently, was not a viable business model. For those who are so impaired that they cannot walk a couple of blocks, they should be able to get a prescription/doctor's order/whatever, to get a handicap placard for their golf cart/car. Otherwise, why not have an able person drop off the impaired person at the door, then go park the vehicle? Residents could even put together a volunteer group to coordinate pairing handicap with able people for this. It would be a good way to help your fellow residents, and take care of the problem.

[tomwed]

Maybe it wasn't viable because they set it up incorrectly. Suppose when you ordered a ticket you also placed an order for car pick up and delivery, $10. And when you get your ticket it says when your appointed arrival time is, like a tee off time. Software can do that.

If only 10 people sign up, you don't need to pay 5 kids for 3 hours.

This is just speculation. I don't know how they ran it.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by tomwed

Maybe it wasn't viable because they set it up incorrectly. Suppose when you ordered a ticket you also placed an order for car pick up and delivery, $10. And when you get your ticket it says when your appointed arrival time is, like a tee off time. Software can do that.

If only 10 people sign up, you don't need to pay 5 kids for 3 hours.

This is just speculation. I don't know how they ran it.

I would see them standing out at the Old Mill Playhouse starting around 4 PM each and every day I got out of a movie or was coming to a movie around then.

Volunteers to do this sounds like a great idea especially if the Villages supplied a shuttle. There would be liability issues for accidents though if they did that.

[gerryann]

Why volunteers? The Villages can certainly afford to buy two shuttle golf carts and pay two drivers. I'm sure most riders would also tip the drivers. It's simply a service that should be provided for the aging population.

To the poster that said all you need is a handicap placard. Seriously? There are so many with the placard and certainly not enough spaces. Even at a place like Publix or Walmart we're going around and around for 15/20 minutes waiting for a spot to open.

[gerryann]

I'm only suggesting the shuttles for The Sharon performances....not all the time.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by gerryann

Why volunteers? The Villages can certainly afford to buy two shuttle golf carts and pay two drivers. I'm sure most riders would also tip the drivers. It's simply a service that should be provided for the aging population.

To the poster that said all you need is a handicap placard. Seriously? There are so many with the placard and certainly not enough spaces. Even at a place like Publix or Walmart we're going around and around for 15/20 minutes waiting for a spot to open.

I agree, great idea.
The Villages Golf Cars could provide the long carts and advertise with a big sign on the roof. The good will may help sales. Another sign saying "We work for tips" would help keep the labor cost down.

[outlaw]

Well, if enough people used the valet service, it would still be there. Apparently, there is not enough demand to make the business model viable. For those that don't want to walk long distances, why not go early and have an early leisurely dinner before the show. Then relax in the square. That way, the few that need this service would get the closer parking spaces. Just make a day of it.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by outlaw

Well, if enough people used the valet service, it would still be there. Apparently, there is not enough demand to make the business model viable. For those that don't want to walk long distances, why not go early and have an early leisurely dinner before the show. Then relax in the square. That way, the few that need this service would get the closer parking spaces. Just make a day of it.

I think what some are proposing is not a car delivery service but a shuttle to the parking lot.

[KathieI]

I'm so sorry to hear there isn't valet service any longer. A few months ago when I was using a walker because of back issues, I used the valet service at Lake Sumter and was extremely pleased with this service and very willing to pay the money because walking even a short distance wasn't an option.

However, I felt so bad because when I went to pick up my car, I think I was the ONLY one who used the service that evening. It didn't take much to realize this wasn't going to last.

I haven't been to the Sharon yet but was looking forward to going but now without that service, I'm not sure I can go. We always knew there would be a very bad parking problem when the Sharon was being built but this is now going to make it impossible for me to enjoy events there. I think a shuttle service, as suggested, for Sharon events would be a fantastic idea. Wonder how we could get this across to village management?

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by KathieI

I'm so sorry to hear there isn't valet service any longer. A few months ago when I was using a walker because of back issues, I used the valet service at Lake Sumter and was extremely pleased with this service and very willing to pay the money because walking even a short distance wasn't an option.

However, I felt so bad because when I went to pick up my car, I think I was the ONLY one who used the service that evening. It didn't take much to realize this wasn't going to last.

I haven't been to the Sharon yet but was looking forward to going but now without that service, I'm not sure I can go. We always knew there would be a very bad parking problem when the Sharon was being built but this is now going to make it impossible for me to enjoy events there. I think a shuttle service, as suggested, for Sharon events would be a fantastic idea. Wonder how we could get this across to village management?

Write a letter to Villages Golf Cart and see if they would loan a long cart out. If they say yes, we can build on that idea. I'll help with fundraisers. Maybe have "The Friends of Sharon" campaign. The purpose would be to pay for insurance and provide drivers for Patrons of the Art's special needs.

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by tomwed

Write a letter to Villages Golf Cart and see if they would loan a long cart out. If they say yes, we can build on that idea. I'll help with fundraisers. Maybe have "The Friends of Sharon" campaign. The purpose would be to pay for insurance and provide drivers for Patrons of the Art's special needs.

Way to go! If you can raise enough money, you could buy a used long cart pretty cheap. Maybe get TV to let you store/park it in the back of the sharon when not in use. Keep us informed. Good luck.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by outlaw

Keep us informed.

Us?