Several Homeowners have expressed their personal appreciation for the extensive renovations of the South Pool Recreation Area during 2014 and 2015. A few neighbors have asked that I share their accolades with members of the Board. I’ve personally thanked the Board and Committee Chairs on the Homeowners behalf. Now that this major project has been completed, Sue and I wanted to share a few photos and express our thanks to other volunteers via SMVE HOA’s excellent and comprehensive Website (smve.org).
We began this project planning in December 2013. The Board targeted capital expenditures for 2014 and 2015 to several major removal and replacement landscape projects. The overall plan included a multiphase repair, removal, and beautification upgrade of the South Pool/Tennis Court Recreation Area. The centerpiece of this renovation (2015) was most certainly the removal of the old and stained pool concrete plaster and resurfacing with high grade Pebble Tec at both the South pool and Spa areas. New tile trim was also installed.
Mike Jump and I worked together as Chairs of the Maintenance and Landscape Committees so that over all volunteer manpower and oversight would work seamlessly. Such proactive coordination avoids confusion and potential overlapping frustration between different contractors and also Homeowners. Indispensable, on-site financial tracking was provided by Treasurer John Marus, Sue and Bob Vaughan, and Mike Jump as they supported the extensive oversight (about 15 separate bids, then simultaneous invoices) during the payment process over two years. Money flow approvals, detailed accounting of budgets by HBL CPAs of AZ, and communication with contractors required extensive dialogue and coordination. In addition, the Finance Committee cannot be more complimentary of the efforts of Lori Beine as our account executive at HBL. Between Lori, Sue, Bob and Mike and John, financial flow of payments (initial & interim deposits, and final checks) kept the numerous contractors paid accurately and on time. Also we carefully selected a talented group of contractors representing plumbing, plastering, electrical work, landscaping, palm tree trimming, and general construction. Add to these paid contractors were efforts by selected Homeowner volunteers intermittently. Allow me to take a moment to name a few Homeowners with complementary skills for Board and Committee Chairs involved in this lengthy project.
We sought advice from David Manning and Sue Vaughan for selection of replacement electrical fixtures to match the Spanish Colonial theme of the SMVE Community. David and Sue shopped fixtures, suppliers, and photographed options, considered the different project scales, plus outlined options for consideration by Board members. We tapped a previous Board Member, Phil Mowbray, for his extensive experience in xeriscape plant selection for this project. Joe Steiner and Bill Page were always ready to lend a hand to meet with the Landscape/Maintenance Team for input on problem areas, options, and ideas needed for intermittent review before moving forward to implement the proposed master plan.
As you can appreciate, it requires a talented, convivial team of volunteers and contractors to complete such a complex and lengthy project that benefits all SMVE HOA members today and into the future. Moreover, daily management of our Sonoran Desert Community can only be accomplished with excellent teamwork from on-site team members. Unintended consequences occur normally as part of any complex project. Problems must be addressed promptly and in a civil manner.
In summary, I want to walk you through a brief narrative of the component areas of the South Recreation Area so new HOA members especially can have a better understanding of this Community enhancement. Initially, as you approach the Territory Drive security gate, you will view the East and West Entry slopes as well as the 12 guest parking spaces. Both paved entry slopes (East and West) have been bordered with Catalina rocks of varying size to manage drainage and enhance clean trimmed lines. Already in place, small bushes and trees were pruned and trimmed, and mounds were created to enhance topographical interest. Also, river rock lining natural serpentine drainage has been installed, new plantings interspersed, and all areas “dressed” with brown desert crushed granite. The east side of the parking area has also been pruned and trimmed to address safety concerns, blowing trash and dead bushes were removed, and a pathway of crushed granite was installed. This new granite pathway leads you toward the tennis court on the north side of the pool. Much of the effort on the east side was toward enhancing openness, evening security, and the natural desert beauty.
Certain plants native to the desert environment were chosen. These plantings include Desert Museum Palo Verde, Texas Rangers, yellow Tacoma Stans, yellow and purple Lantana, Desert Milkweed, and Red Bird of Paradise. Other areas have been accented with cacti that include Prickly Pear and Elkhorn Cholla. Boulders have been repositioned to focus interest adjacent to plantings.
As you enter the front entry locked pool area, you notice Spanish Colonial light fixtures and newly refurbished Pebble Tec pool and spa. Plantings around the pool have been refreshed and new drip irrigation lines added throughout. All palms have been trimmed, security cactus planted around the outside wall of the pool, and the slope between the pool and tennis court has been re-contoured with rock to create functional erosion control. Additionally, the concrete pathway to the tennis court has been replaced where needed and the east side of the tennis area cleaned of debris, dead plants and tree limbs, then dressed with crushed granite. Much of the infrastructure of hardscape, irrigation lines and valves, utilities, and gravity drainage for the pool and spa is not visible but functionally crucial. An important major benefit is that all new construction reflects current upgraded safety code by our selected contractors.
On behalf of all of the volunteers, I hope this brief overview gives all Homeowners a sense of pride in this valuable asset to our community. FACT: The original recreation area was built in 1987-88. An Unsolicited Opinion: “Yep…… sure was in need of help!”
