01.26.2023
UPDATE ON CLUBHOUSE EXTERIOR:
The gutters are on, the doors are in.
The base color has been sprayed.
We had to order a new interior door from the main clubhouse into the spa room (not part of our budget). The closing mechanism was broken, leaking oil, not reparable.
Our biggest problem has been the new codes for swimming pools and access to the pool area. We have been told many are filling in their pools as the cost of meeting these guidelines is high.
We had another conference call with the door people, contractor, Jim Groves and me today as we just cannot err on this. We must abide by new Pierce County codes.
- Your master key will still work DURING THE MONTHS THAT THE POOL IS OPEN.
- We are reconfiguring all locks to accommodate your keys.
- The second lock will be in place during the off-season for safety. All pool areas must be secured during the off-season.
- All door handles must be 60” from the ground.
- We cannot have hardware that requires the use of both hands: one on the upper knob and one on the lower.
- We cannot have automatic locks.
- , etc, etc.
- There will be 4 seasonal keys – no more. On closing day all doors and gates accessing the pool will be locked. On opening day they will be unlocked.
- This is for safety, reduces our liability and meets the new requirements of Pierce County.
In the next two weeks:
Finishing off the spa room, fixing the motor for the lift door in that room, removing old hardware, replacing insulation and paneling, painting.
Completing our walk through/”Punch List”, building new columns over existing ones, mounting address numbers, painting trim and outside doors.
I was originally asked to see to about some very dangerous, libelous and unsightly entry areas:
- The steps leading to the pool at the entry to the driveway – no handrails, uneven steps, waiting for a fall.
- A raised slab at the entrance to the clubhouse.
- The step from the outside door on the west-side needs to be replaced as it has “settled” and rainwater flows back under the clubhouse.
- The old spa in the clubhouse could be a danger as the lid is higher than the floor and could be a source of injury. What is the cost of removing it?
- There is a slab (about 18” deep) on the southeast side of the door leading from the pool to the clubhouse that has also settled. Water there also flows back under the foundation.
I have had many people turn us down (we were a small project) and some crazy high bids. I am now having each of the above bid out separately and together. The cost is in getting the cement truck and it doesn’t matter if you have one piece of sidewalk or five projects. I will take my findings to the Board. I think the problem was before re-construction began we thought there were just two areas needing repaired: that is costly.
As a homeowner? All of you have turned a liability in to an asset. Your investment should add to the value of your home. I hope you stay where you are but if not, remember to remind a potential owner or seller of the investment you have made in this clubhouse which I hope will last another 50 years.
Thanks to all.
John Farrington, PPR