LCCRA / Loyalist Focus Group 2017-2018

1st Anniversary Report. July 2018

What have we been doing ?

It has been one year since the Loyalist Focus group consisting of Geoff Bryant, Len Dzierniejko, Dawn Ford, Cliff Shewfelt, Debbie Kotelniski, Paul Jepson, Bill Hume, Elaine Jackson and Paul Swinwood started to meet with Kaitlin’s management team.  Kaitlin management team included: head office – Enzo Bertucci; and Loyalist local management – Jim Burlington and John Rahey; and local housing sales representative – Linda McCormack.

At the beginning, our team, with feedback from the community developed an action plan on the important issues facing the Loyalist Estates Community and the Country (CCC) Club  Community members (the LCCRA membership is made up of both groups) and our focus was developed from there.

That evolving action plan identified the following priority issues to be addressed.

1) A new roof for the club house to address long standing leakage issues

2) Addressing the mold in the exercise room in the basement

3) Addressing the horrible smell in the ladies locker room

4) Gym facility and equipment

5) Mens locker room, checking for mold and smells

6) Meeting spaces to accommodate the community at events

7) Pool access and pool washroom access

8) Off hours and winter access to the club house

9) Phase 8, 9 and 10  new development plans

10) Communications from Loyalist management to CCC members and the community.

As the year went by, additional efforts such as the community survey regarding a proposed condo / commercial/ townhouse facility at the corner County road 7 and Loyalist Boulevard was circulated to provide feedback to Kaitlin Corporation, etc.  Addressing the improving of communications between the community and the Clubhouse operations was a constant theme.

Progress.

After our initial meeting, management visits to the basement, input from many community members, the roof financing was finally committed to and completed in the fall 2017.

The next major efforts involved many of our action items in the basement. After closing some of the basement in the fall  to check on the issues, the basement was fully closed in late winter to address the water intrusion and mold issues and was not reopened until early June 2018. During that time the drywall, the studs and some flooring were removed, trenches were dug in the concrete floor and drain tiles were installed to three new sump pumps that are now enclosed in closets in three rooms. The delay in opening until after  the spring thaw was over was to ensure that the solution had finally solved the problem with water intrusion and that the mold creating problems were stopped.

This addressed the original priority  issues with healthy use of the club house which has been an issue for a long time Thank you to everyone who contributed to identifying and contributing to its resolution.

in 2017,  possible solutions were made regarding the location of the gym, requests and ideas were discussed and plans / costing are being developed. A meeting of involved residents will be held in 2018 when plans have been developed to a point when decisions need to be made impacting  CCC  users.

As well, Kaitlin had shared with the community (meetings in May and June 2017) its vision for  Phases 8, 9, and 10 expansions. Many members of the community  voiced their concerns and displeasure with Phase 8 ( the next development behind holes 14 and 15)  increased density. These affected and concerned residents made presentations directly to Loyalist Township  at multiple public meetings and this led to a scaling back of the number of planned housing units and types of housing units. The final plans for Phase 8 were presented and approved at a Township meeting on June 25th. 2018

It was suggested to Kaitlin that updated signage including the new pricing would be appropriate and subsequently new signs were created for the County Road 7 location and Highway 33,. Signage is still to be done on Country Club Drive north of Abbey Dawn. Also new sandwich boards were done at the entrance to the clubhouse on Loyalist Blvd.

Most of the other issues were discussed,  potential solutions presented by both sides  and these are still part of the ongoing costing, resources, time and priorities work being done.

Where do we go from here?

 There are still many issues to be worked on and your Focus Group appreciates your feedback. At this time the 2018 – 2019 priorities for the Group are:

1. Clubhouse / Community communications
2. a) Loyalist Country Club web site content updates (calendar specifically).

b)”What’s happening” to be a more regular and timely production.

1. c) Annual meeting with the Clubhouse / Kaitlin management on what’s happened, what’s going to happen, etc.
2. d) Improving Clubhouse/ golf course communication on issues impacting the membership
3. e)  Clubhouse  members lounge access
4. Gym facility (location and equipment)
5. a) after hours access a priority.
6. b) new equipment a must.
7. Swimming Pool card access for CCC members and equipment upgrades
8. CCC membership value statement, what do we receive for our membership and what are our responsibilities
9. Winter 2018 / 2019 Clubhouse access and services for members
10. a) Pub nights
11. b) New Year’s party
12. c) Chef’s tables
13. d) other
14. Phase 9, 10 start dates and Phase 8 construction plans.
15. a) mitigation plans for construction traffic?
16. Condo/ Commercial / townhouse plans for presentation to members.
17. Club House future development plans to handle growth
18. Aura development across County Road #7 and CCC membership impact?
19. Other communications issues as they arise.

It is hoped that we can make progress on all these items as we move forward and your input to any of the Focus Group members is appreciated.

Your input is valued, please give your feedback by sending a comment below.