Thursday Rambles : Changes

 The Community Center here at the Condo (for those readers not familiar, a condominium, or condo, is an apartment that a person owns, the buildings and amenities are managed by an association that the unit owners pay a fee to - in some cases a LARGE fee) is undergoing a massive renovation.  The budget was $7,000,000 and I suspect we have gone over budget.  The community center sits in a natural ravine, meaning as a result the outdoor swimming pool is at street level, the rooftop tennis courts slightly above street level and the main floor of the building is slightly below street level, hence the new ramps and steps down to the west entrance.  

The interior was gutted in the remodel.  The indoor pool remained, but the ceiling over it and surrounding glass walls removed, replaced.  The bowling alley was gutted and replaced with all new equipment.  Most of the rest of the interior was reconfigured.  The convenience store was reduced in size, the restaurant and bar expanded.  Offices were moved, new meeting rooms created, the billiards and games room relocated.  A new elevator and staircase was installed to a lower level that has always been there, but was largely wasted space as the only access was a narrow spiral stairway.  The locker rooms and fitness center were new 3 or 4 years ago, and remained unchanged. 

It was needed, it was about 35 years old, poorly designed and had all of the charm of a hospital inside.  The original designer left a lot to be desired.  When we first came here during the house hunt, the lobbies in the residential towers looked the interiors of a funeral home from the 1970's.  Those were redone a couple of years after I moved in.  

It should be nice.  The current plan calls for opening around the first of May, about 4 months behind schedule.  I look forward to it.  

All in all, I like living in the condo.  The monthly fee is large (over $700.) But the buildings are well maintained, the common areas are clean, the landscaping is well taken care of, the snow removed without me lifting a finger.  Water including hot water is included, as is drainage and trash removal (just drop it down the chute across the call.) We have 24 hour security, with a secured front gate, and controlled access to the buildings.  Call ahead or you won't make it past the front gate.  The community center has nice amenities, I look forward to the gym reopening, I enjoy floating around in the outdoor pool in the summer.  We enjoy the restaurant, especially their delivery services - also known as room service.  During COVID and the renovation the association has waived the rent for the restaurant to keep the service here, I think we should keep doing that, the lower cost is reflected in good prices for the area.

Someday, I should try the bowling alley.  The last I knew were were the only condo in the DC area, with a private bowling alley.  There is one with an indoor ice skating rink, built by the same developer.