Message From Your Virgin Grand Owner-Elected Representatives
Latest communication from WSJ-VG HOA
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Dear Fellow Virgin Grand Owner:
We recently participated in a conference call meeting of the Board of Directors of our timeshare condominium owners association, and this is our regular report to you. This is a shorter report than we usually provide, as there have been no major developments since our last report in March.
Owner directory and website
Although we have experienced a frustrating year-long delay, the website on which owners will be able to buy, sell, rent or exchange weeks (or fractional periods) is nearing completion, and we hope to have it up and running by the end of the year. Meanwhile, because there has been such a long delay, the Board asked management to circulate a new voluntary owners’ directory. You should recently have received an email inviting your participation; if you want to be listed and to receive a copy of the directory, be sure to reply by the end of July.
Discounted sale of association-owned weeks
In July, we offered owners the opportunity to buy association-owned weeks at bargain prices. As of today, we have received offers to purchase 44 weeks. Our next report, in November, will include the number of weeks that we sold and the amount of revenue that we received. These sales represent weeks that will now bring annual maintenance fee revenues to the association, which will help to keep down the maintenance fees that we all must pay.
Energy savings
The second phase of our installation of photo-voltaic (PV) cells will be completed by the end of the year. By December, all of the three-bedroom buildings will have PV cells on the central portions of their roofs, and we will have installed a ground array on a portion of the hillside. Management is investigating whether we can use the land that we own to produce even more electricity without degrading the appearance of the resort.
Freecycle shed
Phil was at the resort in June and is happy to report that when he left, there were 13 beach chairs in the freecycle shed – perhaps a record high – as well as floats, children's toys, and other items. An electronic lock for the shed (which will be coordinated with room keys) is on order.
Wi-fi
As we noted in our last report, the wi-fi system has been upgraded. It is now more reliable than before, but we have heard from owners that the basic system, which is available free to owners, does not support streaming video. Currently, owners must pay about $10 per day if they want a faster system that will stream video. The Board has asked management to see whether the system could be improved for owners without imposing such a high fee.
Buildings 41 and 42
Management will poll the owners of units in buildings 41 and 42 in the near future to see whether they would want (or object to) the installation of a permanent wall between the two upstairs bedrooms. As you know, under the by-laws, a wall cannot be installed in any unit if any owner of that unit objects to the installation.
Two-bedroom units
Some owners of the two-bedroom units requested additional balcony seating. A folding chair is being provided for each of these units.
Pending litigation
There have been no material developments in the two lawsuits against the Association. Management is still attempting to resolve the dispute with a contractor that worked on the exterior refurbishment. The other matter – in which about 6% of owners are suing to rescind the Association's affiliation agreement with Starwood and for reimbursement of the funds expended for refurbishing the villas – is still in its early stages. All defendants -- Starwood entities and the Association -- have filed motions to dismiss the case. The legal fees to defend the Association in these cases must be paid out of Association revenues, and we regret the unfortunate necessity of spending some of our operating funds on this litigation.
Hotel news
TripAdvisor has determined that the Westin St. John is now in the top 10% of vacation destinations that it ranks. As some of you know from a recent email from SVO, the resort is still being improved, with a high probability that the main resort pool and deck will be redone this fall. In addition, two of the six cabanas will be removed to make room for more chaises.
Sincerely, your owner-elected members of the Board of Directors,
Philip G. Schrag
phil.schrag@gmail.com
Robert Werbel
robert.werbel@yahoo.com
