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A P R I L , 2 0 1 6
MANAGEMENT
TRENDS
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A
rguably, one of the most important factors in
making a community attractive to homeowners or
prospective home purchasers (future community
members), is the amenities offered within the community.
In fact, amenities are the second most important factor
next to curb appeal. That’s a major factor for developers
when planning a community. The challenge for managers
is the maintenance of these facilities once constructed and
in use. They can be the source of hours of enjoyment by
community members while at the same time providing
a significant liability exposure. Let’s take a look at some
of the more common amenities offered in our community
associations.
Likely the first thing to come to a manager’s mind when
thinking “amenities” is the community pool. While the
swimming season in New Jersey is relatively short, the
pool is the source of a significant expense for lifeguard
time, chemicals, equipment and maintenance. Hiring the
best qualified pool company is a good start, but continued
inspection of all pool components involves not just the pool
company, but also the manager and members of the com-
munity (e.g. pool committee). Early pre-season checks of
the pool deck for cracks and tripping hazards is critical, just
as compliance with state and local codes and standards.
In-season checks of operating (filtration) equipment, pool
hardware, tables and chairs, fencing, lighting and so forth
should be routine so that any wear and tear can be discov-
ered and corrected before an incident occurs and before
components become unusable or unsightly. Water quality
and lifeguard coverage are also major concerns. With
regard to water quality, someone outside the pool com-
pany should be checking the logs for water testing to be
sure they’re accurate and complete. Lifeguarding can be
an exceptionally difficult job. Sitting in a chair for extended
periods of time watching the water is no easy task, and yet
Managing Community Amenities
By Chuck Graziano, CPM, PCAM
that’s their job. And it’s a job from which one can become
easily distracted from! Checking to insure consistent atten-
tion throughout the day and throughout the season requires
a team effort at all levels.
Other outside amenities such as basketball, tennis and
playgrounds also require continual inspection and mainte-
nance to insure the proper useable condition of everything
from the surface (just a very small offset at a surface crack
can create a tripping hazard) to the tennis (or basketball)
posts and nets to playground equipment. Experience
demonstrates that playground equipment is particularly
vulnerable to wear and tear (as well as occasional vandal-
ism or abuse). For whatever reason, big kids like to swing
on equipment intended for toddlers! A routine schedule of
inspection is required to insure the usability and safety of all
equipment. Checking for loose fasteners, worn equipment
components may take more time than doing an “eyeball
check from 50 meters away”, but spending the time neces-
sary help insure the continued and safe use of equipment.
CONT I NU E S ON PAGE 65
“Likely the first thing to come to
a manager’s mind when thinking
‘amenities’ is the community pool.”