Manager's Report

Today we have 961 spaces full, 792 owners and 169 renters, which makes our occupancy rate 89.4%. In 2006 our occupancy rate was 91%, compared to 88.28% in 2005, 88.4% in 2004 and 86% in 2003, but the record high so far was 92% in 2002. We have more owners in the park this year than last year. I hope that means that our residents are all healthy and enjoying the season here with us. That makes this a good year!

Not only is the occupancy holding steady, but the number of sales is also. During the 2003-2004 year, the total number of sales was 69 and in the 2004-2005 year the total was 127. In 2005-2006 148 properties changed hands. This year 2005-2006 there were 117 sales.

All in all I think the park is looking pretty good. I think it is difficult for us to see just how good as we are accustomed to being here. When people come here for the first time, they are usually very impressed. I see residents showing friends and family around and hear positive comments.

When the homeowners took over in 1996, the first major project was the sewer. Since then, through good and prudent leadership from many Boards of Directors, we have accomplished many projects which have created the Golden Vista that exists today. We’ve resurfaced the two swimming pools (2001, 2005) and the spa (2000), put a new roof the recreational complex (half in 1999, and half in 2002), painted the resort (1999), added cool deck by the pools (1998), replaced the ballroom floor (1999), remodeled the restrooms and showers by the pool (2001), and painted and put new tile in the lobby (2002). In 1999, the swamp coolers were replaced over the ballroom. In 2003, we added air conditioning to the activity rooms in the library building and the kitchen. In 2003, 2004, 2005 using the Golden Gate Bridge concept, the buildings were repainted outside. We also painted the inside and outside of all three laundries (2005) and the tables. By 2006 most of the rooms had been painted once again. Now all we need is new heat pumps for air conditioning and heat in the ballroom. (That’s a plug!) Maintenance must continue to keep our infrastructure sound and our exteriors pleasing.

The Landscape committee in 2000 laid out a five -year plan of improvements. This plan included the outside of both the East and South gates as well as the inside of the East gate and new granite on the perimeter. With the completion of the southeast corner on Baseline and Goldfield Rd., we have fulfilled this plan. The landscapers have been working to keep everything growing and have put in some new irrigation in the Retention area. Just recently, the landscape department added (2007) three new flowerbeds on the west side of the horseshoe pits. I am really happy with the landscaping in general and especially the flowerbeds on the corners (2004).

This fall (2006) volunteers in the Pet Section built a retaining wall on the west side of the retention area. It is a wonderful addition to that area, especially with the Memorial Bricks that are placed there.

Volunteers also are responsible for the stage extension here in the ballroom. Volunteer ingenuity and talent are responsible for many improvements we have in Golden Vista, including the wonderful new counter in the Navajo Room. The Design team has done a terrific job creating a new look for the common area rooms in the main complex and the entire upstairs of the Library Building. New carpet, paint, cabinets, and window coverings have made such a difference in the look of our rooms. The Billiards room has been redecorated and has new billiard’s tables for our residents’ enjoyment. I understand we have a few pool sharks in the leagues here.

We put up block fences in place of the wood ones that were falling down around the laundries and the east side of the ballroom (2002). We rebuilt the valve covers on the west side of the building to match the fences (2003). We worked on the drainage for the park and put in shut off valves for the water system (2002). Now we don’t have to shut down the whole park when we have a leak, so we waste less water and cause less inconvenience to our residents. These shut off valves really helped in December (2006) when we had another water leak behind lots 39 and 78. The inconvenience of no water was held to a minimum of residents, but it lasted 2-3 days. We repaired the roads (2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004)

We drained the swimming pools, cleaned the plaster and tile and refilled them. Pinal County recommends changing water every two years, so we are complying. The small pool was converted to salt water. We are pleased that it works so well and has received good reports. The salt-water pool has been a great success so far. No one has reported getting a rash or having any problems at all. I think it was a good move.

The cool deck by the small pool and around the hot tub was repaired and re-coated with cool deck material. The concrete on the west side of the pool under the roof was stripped and repainted. The pebbletech sidewalks surrounding the main building were power washed with a special cleaner and really do look a lot better.

The lobby floor was cleaned and seal coated and really looks marvelous. I hope we can keep it that way.

The Shuffleboard courts have been refinished. I believe the shufflers are pleased with the results. They look great. 

As I read through the minutes from 1996 until 2006, I realized that we are still struggling with some of the same issues now as we were then. People don’t always stop at the stop signs or drive ten miles per hour. Parking remains a problem and bicyclists still ride on the wrong side of the street. Even though some things change, others stay the same. We have a new radar speed sign that is making an impact. I see a lot of brake lights coming on as drivers realize they are going too fast.

In closing, I would like to thank all of our volunteers without whose help we couldn’t run the park. Volunteers and activity groups donate their time and effort to make things run. They set up for entertainment, have dinners for fund raisers, do the Wednesday Barbeque, run the Craft Shoppe, plant flowers, man the activities office, collect phone bills, hand out packages, deliver newsletters, set up sound for events, work on Park Patrol, serve on committees, the Board of Directors and myriad other tasks. My thanks to all of you who participate in our activities and spend part of your year here with our extended Golden Vista family. I also extend my thanks to Pat Alsup for volunteering his time to help residents stay informed about what is happening here at Golden Vista whether they are here or back home. His e-mail is a real boon for all of our homeowners.

I also want to thank members of this Board for their help, patience, dedication and commitment to Golden Vista. We should all thank the board for their hard work. I’m sure it is rewarding to know that it is a job well done. To the members leaving the board: Anne Swain, Barry Jones, Bob Norin and Paul Schmeil, we say good-bye and thank you for your service to the park and the residents.

Welcome to the new board members. This changing of the guard is part of the process of governance here at Golden Vista. I am looking forward to working with another group of people and facing the challenges that will surely come our way. Congratulations new members.