GULF HARBOUR
VOL. 25 NO. 1
Soundings
Another Seabreeze Publication
www.GulfHarbour33908.com
JANUARY 2024
President’s Letter Dear Fellow Members, It is with great enthusiasm that I share with you a comprehensive update on the exciting developments that have unfolded at our Club over the past few months. There is much to cover, so let’s delve into the details: Our winter season began on a high note with our spectacular Riverfest “Viva Las Vegas” Welcome Back Party on Friday, November 3rd. Over 600 members joined in the festivities, enjoying everything from Siegfreid & Roy performances to a thrilling fake casino. The weather was perfect, the food and beverage spectacular and the entertainment, which lasted from 5 to 10 p.m., set the tone for a memorable season ahead! I’m pleased to report that our Club’s financial performance for FY2023 has been good, especially considering the challenges we faced over the year. The auditors from RSM have given us a clean audit, which you can access in detail on our website. This positive outcome is a testament to our management team and their sound financial management of our Club. We have also started the fiscal year 2024 first quarter slightly ahead of our Annual Financial Plan. Our ongoing efforts to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Ian are progressing steadily. We will keep you updated on the latest developments regarding our recovery initiatives as our landscaping is still a major priority. Your feedback continues to be invaluable to us. The results of the Annual Survey conducted by ClubInsights provided insights into member satisfaction and areas for improvement. This survey was very instrumental in the
development of our Clubhouse renovation concepts. While our renovated tennis facility is already a source of pride, there are some final details to be completed, primarily those related to lighting, landscaping and final inspections. League play has commenced, and the broader tennis community is enjoying the renovation immensely. Please be patient as Lee County conducts final inspections to ensure everything is in order and as management works to resolve the final details. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge that our new lighting is causing inconvenience to our neighbors behind the courts. Our team is currently working on a solution that will cater to the best interests of both parties involved. To date, we have implemented screening measures and modified the lighting programming to be more considerate of our neighbors. We are excited to announce the opening of our new Cart Staging area. This facility not only accommodates cart parking at night but also frees up nearby parking spaces for our various amenities. It’s a valuable addition to our Club infrastructure and assists us as we address parking space issues. We still have a few landscaping and hardscaping areas to address, but those will be completed shortly. Navigating the complex parking codes for commercial properties has been a priority for us. We have engaged local legal experts to assist us in this endeavor, ensuring that we remain in compliance with Lee County regulations, whether our property is seen as public or private. Our legal team has assured us that we can meet all requirements with what we want to accomplish in the Clubhouse Renovation Project. As noted in the past, at the request of Lee County, we conducted a parking study at the very peak of season. The study proved that we have ample parking for all of our needs.
Master President’s Letter The Master Board met on Nov. 27th. We adopted the 2024 Budget. We also approved the Shores Wall painting. The Triad Meeting which I was a part of was discussed. The main topic of the meeting was the restoration of Eagle Perch Island which we approved contributing to. Piping from the DOT lake to Irrigation Lake going under Vista River was approved and will help in our shortage of water. The wall/fencing from Osprey Point and Sagamore is still under discussion. Stop signs at the Tamarind Cay entry to Westport will be installed soon which will increase the safety of residents from Tamarind Cay crossing Westport. We ask that all residents of Gulf Harbour to please respect the stop signs. Still waiting on the locks/cameras for the pedestrian entrances at both gates. As mentioned before, Key Security FOB’s will be available at a minimal cost. Our next Board meeting is the Annual Meeting on Jan. 23rd, 2024. I wish to thank everyone in Gulf Harbour for their continued support. Chris Cope, President
President’s Letter on page 4
Packing Party For Operation Christmas Child, 2023 Edition On Saturday morning, Nov. 11, a total of 49 friends gathered to pack 1,135 shoeboxes that will get shipped to needy children around the world. Last year, they went to Rwanda and Cameroon in Africa.
The articles that were stuffed included school supplies, toys, hygiene items and a personal note wishing them Merry Christmas!
Monday, Jan. 15
Gulf Harbour Soundings
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