Notes from the Board of Managers

October Update:

Hi All! My name is Margie Wood and I am the now in charge of Communication between the Ski & Racquet HOA Board and the Homeowners. I am new to the complex as of 1 year ago and am new to the Board as of June 2008. I love having a place there and want to do all I can to make it the best it can be for all! We live in Denver and co-own our unit with friends. We have 2 college age boys, Conor & Brian (who hopefully behave themselves when they are there with their friends boarding!). My husband Bill is a developer/builder. I am an Operating Room Nurse at Littleton Hospital, which brings me to my next point. I will do the best I can with communication, but I in no way have any expertise in writing or communications. Being new here, I also only have limited knowledge of the past. So please, don’t be critical. I am starting fresh and hope to move forward with issues, no matter what the past. I just have a dream that by working together, not whining or complaining, but coming up with ideas and working together as a community, that we will thrive here at Ski & Racquet. Please consider doing your part if and whenever your time allows.

I have also joined the Ski and Racquet Club blog site, www.skiandracquet.blogspot.com, which someone started in August. I understand that there were many communication gaps in the past leading to unhappy homeowners. Although I think the idea of a blog is good to keep everyone up to date, I am disappointed at the continued negativity of the blog author who seems to have plenty of time to write on the blog, but very little time to come up with constructive ideas. It is my thinking that if you don’t try to make something better in life, you shouldn’t complain about it either. The board just does not have all the answers. I am happy that at least he/she acknowledges some of the good things that have happened and has also posted some updated pictures of the clubhouse.

First of all, I would ask that everyone goes to www.ski-racquet.org to read the minutes from the Sept 12 meeting (I would remind you that this is a draft and not approved minutes yet as I do see a few changes that need to be made). If you are clueless as to what some of these issues are, please read over past minutes and the annual meeting minutes too. Also take the time to review the rules and regulations. Although it looks like there are a few updates needed, we all need to live by these rules. A couple things that many home owner need to be reminded of are the speed limit, storing items in common areas (i.e., decks, stairwells), and dog responsibility. Also, please don’t dump items by the dumpster. We have trailer-trash neighborhood written all over ourselves when homeowners do that. If we are all conscientious about the rules, the Assn won’t have to waste their time sending out letters of non-compliance or assessing fines.

There is not a lot new since the meeting but I will highlight a few things. One, please don’t place rugs on your decks. We have discovered that this leads to the decks not drying out and therefore damage to the concrete surfaces. We continue to spend a lot of $ on repairing the concrete already, so please let’s not make it any worse. (And yes, I am a home owner who has a rug on her deck which will be removed as soon as I get up there in a few weeks- by the way.)

Shannon has spent lots of time trying to finalize the past due amount that Allaire Timbers owes on the easement upkeep. She is almost finished- thanks Shannon! We will let you all know the final price and how it all works out.

Last I heard from Tony is that we did not have the final appraisal value on the Maggie Placer Easement. Will keep you all updated.

The siding committee had a great meeting with BHH Architects, who we did hire. They already had many drawings of our complex from a past proposal they had given us in 1991-1993 so we hope it will save us some $ to work with them again. Some homeowners had concerns over past issues with them, but in light of their cost, experience, and reputation, we decided to go forward, with them being fully aware of our expectations. One of the toughest obstacles to overcome will be receiving the Planning Commission’s approval to use sustainable materials such as a low maintenance fiber cement siding product. Although Breckenridge is adopting a new “Sustainability Code” Jan 1 that requires buildings to use sustainable products, we are located in a zone where 75% natural products are required to be used, even in renovations. We can’t quite figure that one out. They say they want to keep the “mountain look” in our zone, but I can’t figure out anywhere near what mountain look we have now. Regardless, it sounds like it will be a struggle to get approval, but the committee is ready to go for it! We might have to earn what they call “positive points” to be allowed approval so that is one thing the architects are also looking into. We just don’t want to use something that will have to be painted all the time again because that will save us no $ in the long run. Please read Shannon’s note under Capital Improvements for more info on this issue. Also, remember that now is a great time to start saving for a probable/possible assessment for the siding update. The more you save now, the less you will have to finance in the future.

One more note with the Architects- it would save us $ if we were able to locate the original blueprints of the buildings. It sounds like there may be a couple original homeowners out there –if you happen to know anything about where we could find that info that would be awesome. Neither the city nor county has them.

Some of you may be wondering about the trees that have been cut down to the South of Bldg C. First, that is not our property. Ann has informed me that the owner has decided to be proactive and cut down the trees now before they all die. It was a move that would save them $ in the long run and also get started on re-growth sooner. This is not something our Assn has considered, but if anyone is interested please bring your ideas to a Board Meeting. Of course, I think we currently have no $ to do this in case you hadn’t considered that.

Don’t forget the clubhouse is for rent! Currently owners can rent for $50 and long term renters can rent for $200. I already have plans for my next family reunion there! For less than $750 the clubhouse has been painted and refreshed with some new (used furniture). Thanks to all of you who have donated both time and furniture to helping out. It looks about 90% better if you haven’t seen it yet. Our hope now is to rent it out enough to be able to pay for new non-blue carpet! This week my friend donated a 27” TV (her dad died and didn’t need it anymore). She also may have a VCR to give to us. I believe it was John McAllister who donated a DVD player too. Since the mandatory internet was voted down in June, we were not able to get cable TV in the clubhouse so just have access to DVD’s and videos. The VCR was broken on the current TV. Lots of the furniture in the clubhouse was donated by the Gischels and Saramaa's and Woods. Jan Bowman has donated numerous pics and other items too. Payy Congden was kind enough to struggle her way through making new cushions for the benches. I’m sure there are other donors too! Thanks to all. Please take care of everything. If you see destructive behavior, please report it.

We are still looking for a new kitchen sink if you know of anyone remodeling who has a decent one. We would like to get a new Formica counter top (about $100 at Lowes or Home Depot) if anyone has an in on that or would like to donate their time to put it in. Tim Luckett said he could help us out with the plumbing when the time comes. We would like to also fix up the back patio next summer. We have ripped up the old green Astroturf and hope that the rest of the grunge will wear off this winter. We could use a decent grill and patio furniture out there. Our table tops are all broken and we have not been able to find replacements. Please consider donating items like these that are in good shape. If you have something, please call me first so I can be sure whatever we get in the way of furniture at least blends in with the rest a bit.

Painting: We may not have a chance to finish painting the doors out back before the cold sets in this year. We do hope to paint the hall doors, bathrooms, and kitchen cabinets still. If anyone would like to help tackle any of these projects I would just love you! I already have the paint. It really is fun to meet everyone and work together. Give me a holler!

Enough for this month. If you do see neighbors out and about, please ask them if they have received this update. I hope to compile a good list of emails, but am nowhere near that yet. With a possible siding renovation coming up, I think that it is imperative that everyone knows that it could be coming. Plus, what a great conversation started to meet new friends and neighbors. Please email me with comments or questions.

Thanks and have a great day,

Margie Wood
E-mail: margiewood@ski-racquet.org