Special assessment at Christmas Mountain for Timbers association

[rapmarks]

Two or three years back, some timbers association at Christmas Mountain members received a ballot to vote on accepting the golf course, the ski hills, the restaurant building, and the registration, indoor pool building from Bluegreen. If it wasn’t accepted, these facilities would be closed down. Not every one received a ballot, but a week later it was announced that the vote had passed with 95% voting yes.
nothing much changed; the ski hill, golf course, and restaurant actually improved quite a bit. Bluegreen still managed all the facilities. The Timbers owners reported that they didn’t hear anything about it.
yesterday a Timbers owner reported a special assessment, due Oct 1, to make up for the shortfall, blaming the lack of snow this winter for a deficit in ski operations. Regular Timbers UDI owners owe $352, deluxe Timbers and townhouse owners owe $175 for two bedroom and $125 for one bedroom.
the gift that keeps on giving.

 

[escanoe]

My wife is from Michigan’s UP. It was definitely an atypical bust in the region for snow and skiing last year.

As a timeshare owner, I would not be crazy about having the exposure of a ski operation. Seems they should have reserves for an off year. If it is a really good ski year, will maintenance fees be lower that year or a dividend paid out?

 

[MyFriendsLogCabin]

Hello all, I had listed this document to see if other Timber UDI owners had any actual insight to why this is happening. Other than outsiders not saying their "thoughts" but actual insight. Meaning other than Bluegreen wanting to squeeze out the little owners. I have 6 Timber UDI's. That means $2,113.56 for all 6. I had been one of the owners that did not receive the letter about the vote, but quickly received this bill on August 29th, this letter dated September 1st and a due date for this special assessment payment due October 1st. I myself had seen and talked to the resort manager Ted many times since finding out about the vote and the outcome, asking why the owners did not receive part of the profits from the golf and ski hills over the years. As Pat reported: "nothing much changed; the ski hill, golf course, and restaurant actually improved quite a bit. Bluegreen still managed all the facilities". The only update or upgrade I remember was the restaurant had a fire, then was remodeled. I had talked with the resort manager again after the fire and restoration, he had said it was covered under the insurance. The golf course had problems the year before the change of property, with the golf grounds-keeper, and actually closed one of the courses, until the next season. Since a new Grounds-keeper the grounds are so much better.

 

[rapmarks]

Bluegreen has a favorable business model, favorable to them. All the profits and none of the liability.
The Pines course was closed for several years due to the ineptitude if the course superintendent. The homeowners met with management several times and they refused to replace the course superintendent. Thankfully the course has returned to some of its former conditions but part of that is they removed bunkers and other features .
They actually have a part time pro again. One year they hired someone from the front desk to run the golf course and pro shop. The sales staff asked her for some putters to give a putting clinic. She did not know what putters looked like and brought out a pile of pitching wedges because they had a P on them. The course had no replacement flags, stakes, and tee box blocks because she never ordered them.