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Post by ebroach on Feb 15, 2011 16:29:25 GMT -6
I would like to keep the tennis courts. I do not golf but I do use the courts and believe that there are other members that would be disappointed if they were not available for use. ...and the weather is just getting nice enough to play...
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Post by ambergreen on Feb 15, 2011 17:40:38 GMT -6
I think there is a problem with the current location of the tennis courts. I think I heard they are being flooded or damaged somehow where they are now. If so, I think they should build new tennis courts in a different location. I agree - there will be other people who do not play golf who would like to play tennis.
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Post by ebroach on Feb 16, 2011 10:14:52 GMT -6
If flooding is a problem, new tennis courts in a different location is a great idea. However, we should not loose the current courts until new courts are built.
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Post by cjpierman on Feb 17, 2011 9:45:58 GMT -6
Yes: keep--and keep up--the current courts until new courts have replaced them.
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scott
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Post by scott on Feb 19, 2011 17:07:49 GMT -6
I think the POA should consider a modular court. You can buy one for $20k including shipping. It snaps together and lasts forever. It is thought to be easier on the knees and there are professional tournaments played on these surfaces. There is zero maintenance. You can buy a new one of these for less than the cost to fix the current one.
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scott
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Post by scott on Feb 23, 2011 15:09:28 GMT -6
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JBJ
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Post by JBJ on Feb 23, 2011 16:18:31 GMT -6
Good--thx for sharing. We're probably a long way from being able to improve the courts but we sure need to give this a look.
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scott
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Post by scott on Feb 23, 2011 21:27:14 GMT -6
Ok, I'll conclude my tennis court pitch with just a few final thoughts:
1. The tennis courts are enough of an eyesore that they convinced me that the golf course must be horrific. I did not even try the DI golf course until 3 years after becoming an owner and frequent visitor to my property (and an avid golfer). I think that an excellent tennis court would lead to more golfers. I can't be the only one who avoided the course because of the "curb appeal" factor.
2. The DIPOA probably at one point rented the use of these courts when they were in decent shape. If true, there is probably some historical data regarding how much rentals (if any) would be generated. Keep this in mind when considering...
3. that these courts can be financed. Is it possible that renting out play time on a perfect tennis court year round would pay the yearly note on this court? Could it cover enough of the cost to go ahead and buy it now?
4. You can move these courts around if you choose a new location. Their mobility also means that if years down the line the POA decides to go a different route we could probably sell the court to someone looking for some cheap alternative (as we are now, for instance...come to think of it...maybe trying to find a used one of these might be the ticket).
5. I will do my best to spearhead any serious push for a new modular tennis court. I would agree to be the guy who begs property owners to contribute to the tennis court fund!
Now, I am off to check and see if there is an aftermarket for these things...Probably not, since they last forever, can be moved and are better than the real thing! ;D
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Post by ambergreen on Mar 3, 2011 17:55:40 GMT -6
I love Scott's idea about the modular court. $20k is nothing. There's a proposal on the table to institute mandatory dues, but many people think most of that money will go to the golf course. But what if more people would rather see the DIPOA purchase the modular tennis court? How do we know without a vote? If there are never any membership-wide votes on these matters, then it's always just whatever the Board decides to do. Actually, just 5 people on the Board (a majority). I think the membership should be able to vote on how their dues are spent. If more people vote for the tennis court, then that is what should be upgraded first.
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Post by ebroach on Mar 8, 2011 7:58:56 GMT -6
Not sure how feasible it is, but I like the idea of a check list with our annual dues statement. Check where we would like our dues to go...General Fund, Golf Course, Tennis Court, Pool,...
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JBJ
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Post by JBJ on Mar 8, 2011 10:14:07 GMT -6
We did just that the last time we sent out a request for dues payment. I'll see if I can post a copy of the check list.
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JBJ
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Post by JBJ on Mar 8, 2011 10:29:27 GMT -6
Here's what was sent:
Dauphin Island PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 39 (251)861-4228 Dauphin Island, AL 36528 dipoa10@centurylink.net
Dear Fellow Property Owner
We’re writing to ask you for your 2010-11 dues payment. You will notice that this year in response to member suggestions, we are offering you an opportunity to indicate the area of operation in which you would like to see your dues payment directed. We will make every effort to comply with your input, but ask you to keep in mind that --at least in the short term --fixed costs and obligations will have to continue to be covered. Please take a minute now to complete the enclosed form and to send your payment in the enclosed envelope.
We are facing some challenging times. The lingering effects of recent hurricanes, the increased shoreline erosion, the economic recession, and now the oil crisis, are placing considerable strains on our organization’s financial health. Your support is more important than ever as your board deals with these issues
But don’t despair-the board has begun a planning and visioning process to enable us to decide the future of the club assets. We need to make some fundamental improvements to the condition and appearance of our facilities and to perhaps restore some of the former elegance and pride that many of you remember and have mentioned. We welcome your input as this process progresses. Upon receipt of your payment you will receive membership cards and coupons that allow you to play golf on the Isle Dauphine Golf Course and access the beach area located behind the club house. While we hope you enjoy these small tokens of our appreciation, we recognize that the real motivation to support the POA with your dues must come from a sense that the organization is beneficial to you as a property owner. Your support is greatly appreciated and is essential as we seek to meet and exceed this expectation. DIPOA Board of Directors Bruce Jones, President
Please Return this Form with your Payment
A. $100 dues payment enclosed
B. If Possible Please Apply my Dues Payment to the Following Uses:
1. POA Operation ( no special designation) __________ 2. Isle Dauphine Club Bldg and Grounds __________ 3. Beach __________ 4. Tennis __________ 5. Pool __________ 6. Pocket Parks ( maintenance & Improvements) __________ 7. Other_______________________________ _______________________________ __________ _______________________________
. C. Address /email changes shown below
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Post by whistlingdixie on Mar 19, 2011 18:46:11 GMT -6
I would venture to say that there were maybe 50-75 per year rentals for the courts, when we were still asking people to pay for their use.....don't know if POA still is asking for the rent.....don't think we should given the condition of the courts.....I do know that in working on the pool this last 3 weeks, I have seen almost daily use when I leave my volunteer job around 3 each afternoon. It is spring break, however....
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cliff
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Post by cliff on Mar 24, 2011 11:18:53 GMT -6
I know there are a decent amount of summer residents that would use the courts if they were in decent shape. I hope we are not charging anyone to play on them in their current condition. If resurfaced properly and with some wind screens and a decent net, you may be able to charge $5 a person. I seem to recall that we paid $10 for an hour and a half in Seaside. Those were soft courts in good condition.
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scott
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Post by scott on Mar 28, 2011 20:43:33 GMT -6
Ok, after digging around some more I have found what I believe would be the cheapest option. We buy the 1 ft X 1ft tiles in bulk. To completely cover our entire existing court with this stuff would cost $12, 970. Installation would be time consuming but could be done strictly by volunteers. To the above figure, there would be an additional charge for a) shipping, b) a new net and c) refurbishing the fence. All in all though, I think we could get the entire thing done for under 20k--and that is for a double court.
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Post by ambergreen on Mar 28, 2011 20:59:04 GMT -6
The websites for modular tennis courts all say you can lay these tiles right over an old cracked court surface. If true, that seems like a great solution. Not sure how the tiles would lay flat if there are places where the old concrete has buckled, but maybe somehow the tiles are made to accommodate that?
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Post by whistlingdixie on Apr 15, 2011 17:46:02 GMT -6
Cliff...........I agree that we should not charge anyone for using our courts in their present condition....however, this being America, DI needs to catch up with America and charge for EVERYTHING that is done on this island....therefore, we need to INVEST in our future revenue producing assets and get up to speed with the year 2011....part of the problem is that we are being weighed down by our nostalgia for what was, instead of making money off what we have....I would love to have the money to give away, for free, trips to our POA beach, the pool, the parks, the parking, etc....but you go to any other place in the world and you pay for the use of the facility....
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cliff
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Post by cliff on Apr 15, 2011 20:49:27 GMT -6
Ms. Dixie, as you know, here is the delimma. Hardly anyone plays on the courts today because they are so bad so if we charged, no one would use them. The only realistic way to get any meaningful paying use out of the courts is to fix them up and then charge. It is somewhat of a "build it and they will come" mentality. Will they get enough use to pay for the repairs? My best guess is that is a 50/50 bet but one I think the POA should be willing to strongly consider.
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Post by ambergreen on Apr 15, 2011 23:10:08 GMT -6
I agree with Dixie. We should be charging people to use POA assets. Dues-paying members should get a discount, or use them for free. But others should pay. This year, use $20k to buy one of those modular courts and install it. Just give $20k less to the golf course this year.
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cliff
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Post by cliff on Apr 16, 2011 5:48:46 GMT -6
I am fine with that proposal. I believe the courts would be used if they are improved.
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Post by whistlingdixie on Apr 16, 2011 6:46:17 GMT -6
Ms. Dixie, as you know, here is the delimma. Hardly anyone plays on the courts today because they are so bad so if we charged, no one would use them. The only realistic way to get any meaningful paying use out of the courts is to fix them up and then charge. It is somewhat of a "build it and they will come" mentality. Will they get enough use to pay for the repairs? My best guess is that is a 50/50 bet but one I think the POA should be willing to strongly consider.
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Post by whistlingdixie on Apr 16, 2011 6:47:20 GMT -6
Agree! Fix them up and charge! Ms. Dixie, as you know, here is the delimma. Hardly anyone plays on the courts today because they are so bad so if we charged, no one would use them. The only realistic way to get any meaningful paying use out of the courts is to fix them up and then charge. It is somewhat of a "build it and they will come" mentality. Will they get enough use to pay for the repairs? My best guess is that is a 50/50 bet but one I think the POA should be willing to strongly consider.
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scott
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Post by scott on Jun 14, 2011 17:45:39 GMT -6
How much would the POA be willing to spend on a modular court? Can the Board discuss this for a few minutes and figure out how much we can afford? I will personally contribute to this venture and will try to gain other contributions. I would just like to know how much, if anything, the POA would be willing to devote to getting the courts fixed once and for all.
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Post by whistlingdixie on Jun 14, 2011 19:22:24 GMT -6
And, as with the pool project, you would just need to find like-minded volunteers who can devote time and energy to this improvement. :)I would love to see this happen for the POA. I have seen quite a few people trying to play on the courts, even as rundown as they are......good luck with this venture.....I would encourage you to come to the meeting with your suggestions, and see what the board says....Thurs. night, 6:00 p.m. at Isle Dauphine....
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scott
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Post by scott on Jun 14, 2011 20:17:25 GMT -6
Whistlingdixie, thanks for your reply. I am a PO but have a rental house so I am not able to come to the meetings over the summer. However, like you said, volunteers made the pool project happen so I feel like the same can happen with the tennis courts.
I had mentioned in an earlier post that this stuff lasts forever and that there might be someone out there selling used tiles. Well, there is! It is a place called tile discounters. I contacted them, but once I said in an email that I have no authority to make decisions they stopped responding to my requests. Before I mentioned that to them, I got a price quote on some gently used tile (covering a double court) for $21k delivered. I have experience with this stuff so I know that these tiles last practically forever; they just need to be painted after awhile because of sun fading. I truly believe that we can get this whole project done, if we wait for the right time, for $15-$20K and the courts will look perfect.
I would like for the POA to begin "saving up" for that eventuality. I would like to know if, and how much, the POA would contribute to such a venture. Right now, we just patch an old, ugly court for $500-$1000 per year and it never looks good. What about authorizing $5k per year to be used for the eventual purchase of a modular court if and when the community comes up with the rest? Does that sound reasonable? I will spearhead the effort to find a good deal and solicit donations for the balance.
I personally believe that golf revenues will increase if the tennis courts are redone. Seriously, the courts are so bad that a reasonable person would expect the golf course to be similarly maintained....and frankly it sort of is...
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Post by ambergreen on Jun 14, 2011 23:24:01 GMT -6
Scott - Volunteers did help to fix up the pool area and everyone is grateful for their work. But as I understand it, the POA spent something like $30,000 on refurbishing the pool and cabana area, and buying new tables and umbrellas and so on. It wasn't just volunteers donating time and money. So I don't see why $20k could not be allocated out of POA funds to upgrade the tennis courts. However, the Board alone chooses how to spend POA funds. We - property owners not on the Board - have no say in that.
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Post by logicfan on Jun 16, 2011 10:04:01 GMT -6
I would support this and be willing to donate as long as there was a guarantee that the funds would used only for this purpose. I would also be willing to donate my time (evenings & weekends) to working on this project.
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scott
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Post by scott on Jun 16, 2011 14:44:49 GMT -6
Thank you, logicfan! If I can get this ball moving, I will be getting in touch with you.
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Post by logicfan on Jun 17, 2011 19:25:31 GMT -6
Please do. I can be reached on this board or the other one, but I have a different username there. Thank you, logicfan! If I can get this ball moving, I will be getting in touch with you.
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scott
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Post by scott on Jun 17, 2011 20:28:35 GMT -6
My username is the same over there, so you know where to find me!
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