This proposed association dues rate hike is causing quite a stir in the village. To find out the facts I phoned Roger Wehrsig, the Waikoloa Village Association manager, a most amenable, level headed fellow. Apparently, the WVA board has approached him to reduce the budget by $210,000, which would bring the feisty hike to within reasonable proportions.
The golf course has always been a losing proposition. An albatross, if you will. And rather like government, which does not deem itself responsible to the people for willy nilly spending, went ahead and gave raises to all employees despite substantial annual losses. I believe I am correct in saying in 2015 the golf course lost under $400,000 whereas in 2016 with the employee raises, the loss was just under $500,000. This is a public course subsidized by the Waikoloa Village residents, and for many often a source of contention. Without a county golf course on the west side, the Waikoloa golf course was offered to the county for a dollar a few years ago, but ultimately refused by the county. We have a new administration so perhaps it would be propitious to once again offer the golf course to the county with an addendum. Land as well as $1 million. Quite a sizable carrot. We as the ever beleaguered residents would realize a profit in three years instead of the perennial losses.
As far as the new and improved swimming pool, gym/workout spa, instead of incurring millions of dollars to renovate and build a facility, let’s do as we have with the restaurant, private enterprise. Many residents will never use the facility, no matter how fabulous it is, let the people who choose to pay to play! Make it open to the public as well and, like the golf course, offer a discounted rate to residents. If private enterprise deems it profitable, then that is the route we should take. If no one in private enterprise jumps at this marvelous opportunity, then neither should we, just to satisfy the whims of a few. Then we are stuck with two albatross.
In this age of “I am all” divisive thinking, perhaps we, as a community, can set an example of reasonable people concerned about the needs of everybody and come to an amicable decision .Putting upon the residents or incurring more debt not being the answer.
Gwyneth Wrixon is a resident of Waikoloa