We have great news to report – the room renovation officially started on May 1, 2008! The project we’ve embarked on will substantially enhance your future vacation experience at La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club, so we’d like to take this opportunity to thank you once again for your understanding and compliance as we proceed with our twenty-first century ‘renaissance.’
The first phase of the renovation began on May 1st whereby for three days a crew of designated La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club associates completely stripped 36 rooms of all furnishings, bedding, etc. The three-day process of stripping the rooms entailed saving many items that we will use as replacements if needed in the balance of the rooms awaiting to be renovated. The rest of the old furniture and appliances have been stored in containers for sale first to La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club associates and then to the local market.
Safety is of paramount importance, so to avoid public access to the work space the general contractor has already sectioned-off the construction area. Keep in mind that the mesh blocking the construction area is only temporary, and that while the renovation process itself isn’t always attractive, the final result will be well worth it.
We are finalizing contacting owners in the second block whose units will be affected by the renovation and soon will be contacting owners in the 3rd phase. Please keep in mind that many owners whose units undergo renovation during their owned week will be offered the Entitlement Certificate. This certificate is valid for five (5) years from the start date of their week that was scheduled for renovation. If the owner decides to send a guest in their place using the certificate, the owner will still need to fill out the usual ‘Guest Authorization’ form.
We will continue to keep you updated right here on the renovation project. We hope you share our enthusiasm for the future of our revitalized resort in the tropics.
This special Web link is your Renovation News Center devoted to providing all our Beach & Racquet Club owners with the full project details including:
- Assessment
- Drawings of the renovated units
- Unit furnishings and color schemes
- Details of what is planned for the renovation of the main lobby
- Schedules for the renovation and sections closing
This Web link will enable you to see the step-by-step development and progress of your Resort’s renovation.
This link will keep you informed 24/7 about the status of this exciting project and enable you to reach us easily and conveniently
The Model Rooms are available for viewing on Wednesdays at 11:15 am, just after the Owners Meeting.
THE RENOVATION
Some questions have arisen about the planned renovation, many of which have been answered in weekly owners meetings or individual discussions. Nevertheless, we would like to use this forum to ensure that every owner fully understands the plans, the process and the results of what will make our vacation home, not only beautiful, but also increase the value of your vacation investment.
Two of the re-occurring questions raised are how we came up with the assessment and why is it so expensive.
First, let us assure you that every dollar being spent is being done with a fine-tuned focus on saving money. However, we are not sacrificing quality to achieve this. It is important that we plan and renovate with the best quality products to protect your interests, future and long-term value of your units. This comes with a price tag.
The Process
Now, how did we arrive at the actual assessment? We all recognize the need for this renovation. Over the past several years, we have upgraded and changed furniture piece by piece in order to provide basic maintenance of our units. However, such upkeep has proven not to be cost effective.
Following feedback from our owners meetings, email correspondence and direct communication with the Board of Directors, we launched a research and planning project with architects, engineers and designers in which they have provided us with a detailed plan as well as estimated costs for the renovation – all designed to protect your interests and ensure the sustained value of your units.
The Costs (online payment form is now available).
The cost of doing business in Aruba is far more expensive than doing business in North America. Everything we do involves purchasing and bringing in supplies that do not exist on Aruba. This means shipping and freight costs that are higher than our U.S.-based counterparts. This also results in Aruba customs, import duties and BBO taxes that add to the cost.
We also have high insurance costs associated with any building project. And finally, we have the labor costs applicable to Aruba. These collective costs mount up. A major renovation, as the one proposed, will result in high costs for the supplies plus the aforementioned associated costs that may not be included in a comparable U.S. project.
All of the above costs are calculated in the assessment that you have received for payment of the planned major renovation.
The Plans
We are doing these Model Rooms taking everything into consideration, but not limited to the cost, your comfort and the general esthetics of the unit.
These Model Rooms will enable us to ensure that we are doing it right before we proceed with the mass renovation of all the units.
Many of our owners have called, e-mailed and asked us about the extent of their unit renovation. Please note that final inclusion of certain furniture, appliances and accessories as well as changes in floor plan will be made after completion of the two Model Rooms.
The following is the proposed list of items that will give you an idea of what is being replaced in your unit.
The Why
Once again, these renovations have been long overdue. The Beach and Racquet Club is 17 years old this year and our units have become tired. The renovation will not only bring the resort back to life, it will revitalize the individual units raising the value of your unit and the resale value as well. Additionally, this renovation will guarantee our five (5) star exchange status and increase the corresponding exchange power.
This will be the first full renovation in the 17-year existence of the resort. We are going beyond a cosmetic cleansing. We are upgrading both the look and feel of the resort and adding new appliances, new lighting, new amenities and much more.
Saving Money and Doing It Right
The Model Rooms will save us time, energy and money in the end. The exercise in producing renovated sample units (Model Rooms) is necessary to ensure that we do this right the first time. By creating the Model Rooms we will have gone through the process, re-evaluated, corrected and fine-tuned the models before we proceed with the major renovation of all the units.
The Communication
What started as discussions in the Board Meetings spilled out into the Members Lounge and over the Internet in our Owners Chat Rooms, at poolside and on the beach. Everyone has been talking about these renovations for more than a year now.
While we have reached out to as many people as possible, it is virtually impossible to reach and communicate with everyone.
Board members have had numerous conversations in person and over the Internet with owners about these plans. Comments have been made, suggestions offered and everyone who has wanted to say something has been heard.
There is an old saying that when God started out to build a horse he decided to turn the task over to a committee. The result was a camel. We don’t want any humps in our resort so we are not going to be able to accept every suggestion. That would be impossible and we would end up with very strange rooms. Rather, we will review all comments and try to blend as much as feasible into the final plan.
The Assessment
When we sent out the convocation last month announcing the Annual General Meeting we did not specify the Assessment Fee’s due date. Please refer to the updated and recently posted “Renovation Assessment Schedule and Due Dates”.
Stay tuned, we will keep you informed of everything, every step of the way. This is your vacation home and we intend to make it the best there is for you, your family and every other owner.
Early Payment Discount Schedule (if paid by April 1, 2008)
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YOUR OMBUDSMAN (Official appointed to act as a go-between)
We want you to use this Web link to communicate your thoughts and ideas about the Beach & Racquet Club renovations and be sure to embrace the knowledge of your very own “Archi Tech” who will guide you through the modernization process. “Archi Tech,” the Renovation coordinator, is your very own special ombudsman who will help you understand the renovations issues and share your ideas with the Co-op Association Board of Directors. You can click on “Archi Tech” at any time you have questions or comments about the next phase of the Beach & Racquet Club’s development. “Archi Tech” will respond in a timely manner and promises to be helpful at all times. He is a renovations specialist and is there to help you. |
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MEMBERS E-MAIL
Please remember, both “Archi Tech” and this Web link will keep you up to date on the renovation progress 24/7. Log on at any time and you will find the latest news, updates and links to everything under the Renovations umbrella. You can also reach us by e-mail.
We promise you that when the project is finished, the value of your vacation home in Aruba will be as outstanding as the facilities themselves.
Let’s toast to the next phase of the La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club!
WHAT DOES ARCHI TECH SAY? Click on my image anytime!!!