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This Friday, December 9th at 1:30pm pst, our HOA Board is considering a proposal to upgrade the Fitness/Wellness Center. The expected cost for this upgrade will be between $400,000 and $500,000. The board has already paid for an architectural plan and that plan has been submitted to Cathedral City for permit approval.
This raises some interesting questions:
This blog is a means for Homeowners to communicate with each other and express their thoughts and concerns. We encourage you to add your comments.
40 Comments
12/8/2022 04:37:14 am
I’m all for enhancements of our facilities but the fact is that very few people utilize the fitness center in relation to the total population of our community. This money would be wiser spent on golf course or clubhouse improvements in my opinion.
gracie Roy
12/8/2022 06:56:44 am
is the fitness center ever even used?? is the clubhouse and restaurant part of that redo? and what about the non working front fountains? they've been out for a year - any plan for getting fixed?? and why is there not a double arm on the entrance side of the front gate - once the gate is open anyone can tailgate in and security wouldn't know or be able to do anything about it even if they were watching - which they aren't. there are NO other CC's in the valley that don't have a 2 arm system at their front gates.
Pamela crawshaw
12/8/2022 07:43:05 am
Since I bought the HOA fees have gone up every year. The Board should not be able to decide on paying for the Architectural plans and submit for approval without a vote from homeowners. So will this be another increase in our fees?
John Taylor
12/8/2022 07:54:37 am
I use the fitness center 3 times a week. I would love to see it improved. That said, I agree that there are many other needs in our community which should have a higher priority. Desert Princess is a 40 plus year old property which is going to need ongoing maintenance and updating, and the contingency fund is going to be hit heavy in the future. planning today for tomorrow's costs is prudent.
Pam
12/8/2022 07:56:31 am
To put this kind of funds into something only a VERY few homeowners use is ridiculous! What are they thinking????
Tony P
12/8/2022 08:03:58 am
I agree with Michael. The Patio extension would enhance our view and attract more revenue from outside Desert Princess.
Concerned homeowner
12/8/2022 08:11:46 am
If only I had a crystal ball….how powerful that would be. I too would love to see 21st century upgrades…but…there is a BIG ”BUT”. Our HOA board time and time again have not used our monies wisely. There is so much waste. It seems like our outgoing PRESIDENT continues to open up OUR checkbook and loves to sign the checks.
Abbey G
12/8/2022 08:39:01 am
I just came up with a fabulous idea..you know how sports arenas have naming rights on their buildings? Maybe we could start establishing a program to let interested homeowners pay for naming rights. we should start. Peter Webb could be the first one to donate his own funds to update the fitness center. We can name the building the Peter Webb fitness center. Doesn’t that have such a nice ring to it!
Trevor M
12/8/2022 08:12:38 pm
We all know Peter Webb can afford to donate funds to our fitness center. He lives in Canada in a multimillion-dollar apartment. We also all know how he loves to spend our money. Many of us are on fixed incomes and can't afford another increase in HOA dues. Spend the money wisely. Repave some of the roads, expand the patio on the MVG. Or just put more money into the reserve fund. As a homeowner mentioned, this place is going on 40 y/o. We are eventually going to have some major repairs.
Steven J Micke
12/8/2022 08:59:44 am
I also agree with Michael. I'd love to see the usage. They have you sign in when you go there and I do use it in the winter but agree the funds can be used better for projects that might bring in additional revenue. IE: upgrade to a patio extension. Did they by chance get mad at the members when we defeated their ridicuious multi million dollar debacle? This is not needed and we should be able to vote on any project over say $300,000. Time for a By Laws update???
Karla
12/8/2022 09:33:20 am
I believe this money can be used in other areas. I would like to know how many people use this fitness center daily.
Terry Albright
12/8/2022 09:36:57 am
Many DP residents qualify for Medicare by their age. They paid into it most of their working lifes. Many Medicare plans provide free memberships to full on Fitness Clubs with ALL the amenities. Yes, FREE. ( Silver sneakers) is one such plan for Medicare recipients.
Linda Knoepfle
12/8/2022 10:04:05 am
I agree that the $$$ would be better spent on projects that more of the DP community could enjoy/use rather than what now is being proposed by the Board. There are other projects that can enhance DP’s allure if that is truly the Board’s concern, perhaps something that would not involve such a burdensome increase in our monthly dues.
Anne Lippert
12/8/2022 01:47:15 pm
I would rather see the monies being spent on upgrading the MVG and extend the patio to bring in more guests.
Val
12/8/2022 04:09:50 pm
Shaking my head in disbelief... the board has lost all sense of reality beyond their minuscule bubble.
Leslie
12/9/2022 07:12:20 am
Here we go again. Another ill-conceived, undocumented, half a million dollar project being rammed down our throats for the benefit of how many homeowners who use the gym....maybe 100??? My guess is as good as theirs including their mickey mouse guesstimate that was announced 9 months ago. How is it that during a time of record breaking inflation globally, coupled with construction labor shortages, we're still being sold a bill of goods on an outdated guess at what this will truly cost us. And last time I checked, this is a capital expenditure that doesn't qualify to be withdrawn from the reserve fund. And even if it did, that would leave a sizeable hole requiring other maintenance projects to be kicked down the road.
Homeowner
4/10/2023 06:36:03 pm
Not sure if people here have seen the news. Again, this is how the board announces their plans. The Spa will be closed until November 1. So they went ahead and wasted our money again. Half a million dollars. Down the drain. "Please be advised that the Spa will be closed from April 9th to October 31st for renovations, and will reopen on November 1st. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]." No vote. No opinions. No questions. No plan. Nothing shared. What are we gaining for $500K? (I will bet you $1 million that it ends up MORE than $500k again, without consideration to any of us). Our HOA which stood at $660 for nearly half a decade has seen what? FOUR increases in recent time and again, if I were a gambler, sure bet we see increase #5 and $800 monthly fees for something that so few people will ever use. I talked to every single user of the facilities the last month... 100% renters/visitors who don't pay the HOA.
Mary Maloney
12/9/2022 06:59:52 am
We need homeowners voting in our elections. This board has had a blank check to spend as they desire. This country hasn't even seen the recession that is looming hit yet. This is not the time to be spending on major construction projects when labor and materials are at an all time high. This is the time to hunker down and save, otherwise you will see ANOTHER INCREASE in dues as not saving for a rainy day will put us on a slippery slope to becoming the Desperate Princess once again. There are over 30 properties for sale, the most I have seen at one time since buying here in 2017. They aren't moving. There are far more areas of our community that need to be addressed other than the fitness center which can be verified EXACTLY how many people use it that live in our community. Divide $500,000 by that number....... Now consider our security, lack of cameras, lack of 2 arm gates, etc. How about spending that money on something that really matters or better yet, NOT SPENDING at all.
ron smith
12/9/2022 07:51:19 am
The board should walk the roads and look at the splits and cracks in the asphalt. Repairs on the current property should come long before any new expansions.
Beth
12/9/2022 08:14:26 am
I would use it if it was nicer! But I don't remember being asked to give any input as to what I'd like to see in it.
Robert
12/9/2022 01:18:49 pm
It is another ridiculous decision from this board. If we are going to spend $500k. How about fixing the broken pathways to our units - before we get sued by someone who has tripped, replacing the lighting on our entrances for safety. Getting rid of the terrible gardening and security service vendors and hiring great ones. These would benefit ALL homeowners not just few that use the fitness center. I am sick and tired of our HOA dues going up every single year - they have got to be one of the highest in the valley and have/will effect salability and value of our home. SICK of this Board!
David
12/10/2022 08:32:37 am
What would happen if all of us did not pay the new increase ? Do you think that the TRUSTED MANGEMENT might listen to the PEOPLE!!!
Judge
12/10/2022 08:31:58 am
What would happen if all of us didn't pay the new increase ? Would that get THE TRUSTED MANGEMENT TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE? How many of you would join this group? Would love to hear your ideas?
Judge
12/10/2022 08:38:49 am
I'm asking everyone not to pay this increase. What would the Mangement TRUST do ? Worse scenario? Maybe they will finally listen to the PEOPLE? We are stronger together than divided!
Terry Albright
12/14/2022 06:02:17 pm
Not a good idea Judge. Those who fail to pay their dues would have liens slapped on their property in addition to fines. The real hard times will come without home mortgages. Cash buyers will be the only game in town and they will exact a huge discount from sellers who have nowhere else to turn. DP will turn into a commercially owned property where most every unit is a rental making large profits for the owners who purchased their rentals for way under market value. We have our "leadership" to thank for this mess since they couldn't be bothered to actually deal with the mortgage issue before it was too late. Total lack of their fiduciary responsibilities to DP homeowners. Our bad.
Sandra B
12/10/2022 08:40:15 am
Homeowners need to vote in the upcoming election. Peter is gone! Here is the opportunity to elect 2 new homeowners. Director Martin Backstrum who is running for the board just supported the $500K fitness center upgrade.
Cathie Wachter
12/10/2022 11:30:58 am
I agree with Steven regarding the update to our By Laws. I think that dollar amount should be $100,000 before the HOA can spend any funds that are not in the approved and planned budget. They do not seem to be living in reality and lets face it, they aren't spending their own money it is ours and we keep getting increases every year. Enough! They are going to chase people out of DP and drive the property values down. Hopefully we will get some new board members that will bring some common sense to our board. Although i do love the idea that Peter Webb sponsor the fitness center and he can name it whatever he would like. One more final thought, shouldn't we be holding back on any unnecessary projects and saving funds for the next upcoming fiscal storm?
Vivian
12/10/2022 03:16:59 pm
All I read is the same old complaint. Where is this going? Same place nowhere! When are you going to stop complaining? When are you going to do something about this issue? When?
Sandra B
12/11/2022 09:10:33 am
Vivian is this really complaining or letting the community know how you feel. It surprises me how many homeowners feel the same about the board and their decisions. Let’s start by electing new homeowners to the board. Hopefully that will make a difference.
David
12/12/2022 03:30:53 pm
Did I hear you right Sandra " Hopefully " that is what we have been doing ever since The Trusted Mangement took over our happy community!
Vivian Wilson
12/15/2022 06:23:42 am
I find it disappointing that expenses of this amount are pushed through without a majority vote from the homeowners. A $500,000 expense is not a regular operating expense and to have a vote on such extreme expenditures would not hamper the Board's ability to continue to manage DP on a day to day basis. My question is whether or not we are able to cap the Board's authority to a more reasonable amount. Is it even possible ?
Michel
12/16/2022 03:20:52 pm
Are you really surprised? Why do Canadians get to vote 2×? One ballot sent to Canada another ballot to this American address? Why isn't this a issue?
John Godwin
12/15/2022 07:13:40 pm
Hey,
John Godwin
12/16/2022 08:45:37 pm
Okay, been at DP for about 70 days , been in restaurant about 15 times , there is a major issue that needs to be resolved before any other expenditure? The lobby area and men’s and ladies bathroom of the Mountain View Grill smells like “ the aftermath of a horse who ate bad oats “ !!
Anita
12/17/2022 09:44:41 am
All the plumbing in the DPCC needs to be overhauled redone. Instead of trying to make the CC look good on the outside, the whole interior needs updating from the plumbing to the Management.
Kim
12/20/2022 03:00:39 pm
Are you kidding me? That reeking, odious welcome to our restaurant has been an ongoing issue for the decade + that I've been a resident. Nothing like a sewer aroma to enhance one's appetite.
Leslie
12/22/2022 03:14:09 pm
I found it interesting to receive a message from the HOA that due to "reports of the reek" in the entrance to the clubhouse, Management Trust investigated the complaints and took action. Are their staff unable to smell what we smell? Do we need to complain BEFORE they take action? Not my definition of competent property management!
Melvin
12/29/2022 11:04:49 am
The BOD is already transforming our landscape. Where is this money coming from?
Kim
2/13/2023 04:56:34 pm
The Board Chat Recap of the meeting held on Feb. 11th, was most informative with respect to revenues generated for tennis, pickleball, bocce ball and the gym are paid to the contractor, Charlie Moore, dba "Moore Tennis Academy". The Board confirmed the revenue generated in DP, does in fact get paid to Moore, but that is not the whole story. While Moore pays DP a mere $500.00 per month rental for the use of our facilities, we pay the contractor $3000.00 per month AND $350.00 per month($4200 annually) to clean the courts.
Michel
2/14/2023 05:43:21 am
We have meetings with no voting? We all know their going to do what THEY want anyway!!! Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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