Everything You Need to Know About the Health Club and Pool Vote

Author: RSF Post

Date: October 21, 2014

Ballots have already been sent out for the research and development of the health club and pool project. Residents will decide if they support or oppose spending up to $350,000 for this planning phase.

Ballots must be received by the Rancho Santa Fe Homeowners Association by November 19th!

Mail your ballot here:

RSF HOA Association
PO Box A
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

If you did not receive a ballot or for ballot related questions, contact the HOA:

Every voter has received the Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) sheet and a letter of instruction. However, the Health Club Steering Committee has been providing more context as to why they believe the project is vital for the RSF community. In a flier that was sent out this week, the following points were made:

- The building of the Health Club & Pool will not raise association dues or taxes and would include a fitness center, swimming pool, and casual food service.

- Voting “yes” only approves the $350K for the feasibility study. You will still be able to vote “no” on the actual building project if you don’t like the findings.

- A 2014 national survey showed that private clubs that added health centers, casual dining, and pool experienced increases in overal golf and tennis memberships.

- The proposed site sits on the only RSF owned land already zoned for such a new facility and is located between the Golf Club and Tennis Club.

- Covenant home values will increase materially with modern amenities such as a Community Health Club and Pool as noted by Jason Barry of Barry Estates.

- Based upon a $4 billion valuation of Real Estate in the Covenant a five percent property value increase translates to $200 million increased valuation ($117,000 per house on average) for Covenant members.

At the Committee’s October 17th presentation and Q&A session, proponents believed that the addition of the Health Club would drive new and former Golf and Tennis Club members to join. It serves as an additional amenity and a place for other family members to spend time in the area. However, opponents pointed to the steady decline of Golf and Tennis Club memberships as part of a national trend and that a Health Club will not convince non-members to join.

Committee member Mike Licosati reiterated the conclusion of the top realtors in the RSF area, which includes Jason Barry of Barry Estates. The lack of a technological infrastructure combined with Health Club amenities may turn potential buyers away and into other communities, in turn decrease value. However, a few dissenters attributed the recent decline in real estate value to the natural ebb and flow of property value.

Although the numbers are rough estimates, the Committee anticipates the total cost to be between $9 million and $11 million. The estimated spending breakdown was included at the presentation:

The Committee plans to pay for the project through a combination of the Community Enhancement Fund and club membership financing. Based on preliminary estimates, the pricing model to join the Health Club would consist of a $1,500 initiation fee and $180 in monthly dues.

Kirk Mason of Mason Architecture stated that one of the biggest challenges with successfully planning the project will be figuring out the parking situation. There are currently 195 parking spaces for the Golf and Tennis Club, and the Association will have to work with the County to ensure parking regulations are met if the health club facility is to reside between the two existing clubs. A minimum of 140 spaces must be allotted for the planned facility.

RSF Board Director Heather Slosar stated that the Committee and Board is going to extra lengths to be transparent about spending and projects. Previous board may have went ahead and spent the funds for a feasibility study without consulting the community. The community has a direct voice in the process this time around.

Are you for or against the Association spending up to $350,000 to professionally plan and study a health club and pool facility? Let us know in the comments and be heard through your ballot!