Two of SIPOA’s primary responsibilities are to monitor the current conditions of our facilities and to plan for the future of those facilities to ensure we provide what our property owners need and want
Attached in this letter are links to two recently commissioned external reports:
- A Business Case Review performed by Management Matters
- A contractor evaluation of the condition of the Oyster Catcher Community Center
These reports make apparent the need for us to take a hard look at current conditions and future needs for our facilities, fully informed and guided by what you want and what you are ultimately willing to invest in to meet your needs.
We will survey property owners this spring to understand your priorities for our facilities. The results of the survey this spring will be the basis for a long-range plan for our facilities. We expect this process to take several months for it to be effective.
Attached here is the report from Management Matters. Management Matters is the consultant your Board of Directors engaged, in response to community input to review the Lake House facility and capacity.
As requested by the Seabrook Island community, the Board of Directors approved a program to:
- Validate the Business Case
- Conduct an Island Wide Survey of Property Owners facility priorities and willingness to fund
- Conduct focus groups on the island to better understand future facilities and amenities needs
Also attached is a copy of a recent contractor evaluation of the Oyster Catcher Community Center. Click here to view.
In summary, the Oyster Catcher Community Center is in fair to good condition for a 40-year-old facility. However, given current building regulations, there is very little maintenance that can be performed without triggering the county requirement to bring the entire facility into conformity with current building codes. Bringing the Community Center up to code will likely require a tear down and rebuild.
We, the Board, believe that the most impactful and meaningful aspect of this program is direct Island wide input. We believe the attached review of the business case supports the validity and reasonableness of the business case. Accordingly, we agree that is important to move forward to survey ALL of our property owners about facilities requirements and funding tolerances. Therefore, we will not be conducting any focus groups until after the island wide survey.
Keep an eye out for the upcoming survey this Spring. We need and value your input as we determine the way forward to support our Island’s growth.
Bill Connolly,
SIPOA Board President