The Official Newsletter of the Lake of the Woods Association, Inc. Vol. 20, No. 21
540.972.2237
LOWA.org
/LOWAssociation
Fitness Center News
by Kimberley Toone, Community Operations Manager On Feb. 11, our LOWA Fitness Center team held an open house for all Lake of the Woods members. We had 78 members come out and join us at the center where staff, instructors, trainers, and a nutritionist were on hand to meet and greet, give tours of the center, and do demonstrations. The Fitness Center Committee was also on hand to answer questions on what they do and how to become a volunteer. Our Fitness Center Specialist Jeremy Fitness Specialist Jeremy Jefferson gave a very informative Jefferson gives a Kettlebell demonstration on Kettlebells and showed demonstration. the community how to use the different pieces of equipment and the different types of workouts they can be used for. We gave away 19 door prizes, ranging from tumbler cups to free fitness classes, yoga therapy sessions, 3-day passes, and a free trial membership. Now is a great time to check out the Fitness Center. Come by for a tour, buy a daily member pass to see if you like it, or purchase a half-price membership good through April 30. For more information, please contact communityactivities@ Photos by Alex Barch Yoga Instructors Dawn Watson lowa.org or call Member Services at 540972-2237. (front right) and Traci Nicol If you were not able to come out on (front left) explain to interested Feb.11, stay tuned, because community members the different styles of activities is looking to do another open yoga available at LOWA. house sometime in the fall. In the meantime, if you would like additional information on how you could audit one of the classes or would like a tour or further information on any of our equipment, please email communityactivities@lowa.org or stop by the Fitness Center, Monday through Friday from 3 to 9 PM, and ask for Jeremy.
February 24, 2023
Treasurer’s Report
by Walt Diercks, Treasurer, LOWA Board of Directors It’s been three months since my last Treasurer’s Report. We are now only three months from the end of LOWA’s current fiscal year, which will end April 30. Inflation and staffing issues have continued to have adverse effects on LOWA’s finances and its ability to provide services to its members. This means continued challenges both for this fiscal year and for the next fiscal year beginning May 1. Inflation from April 2021 through January 2023, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, is up over 12 %, while the member assessment in this fiscal year’s budget (FY22/23) increased 6.2%. This means that our member assessment income is lagging almost 6% behind inflation with three months of the fiscal year remaining. This lag not only has made keeping on budget this fiscal year difficult, it means that next fiscal year’s budget reflects some of the cost increases which occurred during the present fiscal year. I will first address third quarter results and then provide some additional information on next fiscal year’s budget and assessment. The bottom line of the third quarter results is that, despite inflation and staffing challenges, LOWA is still projected to finish at break even. Our amenities as a group (the Equestrian Center, the Pools, the Fitness Center, Communications, Community Activities, and Golf Operations) are performing close to budget expectations. However, the Clubhouse and Fareways continue to have significant negative variances from budget. This is consistent with national trends showing that restaurants are being challenged by rising costs, staffing issues and consumers reducing their discretionary spending. The restaurant negative variances have begun to narrow, and an aggressive plan is being implemented to improve the financial performance of both restaurants. It appears that staffing is beginning to return to past norms and an expansion of operating hours at both restaurants should occur as we move into longer daylight hours and spring. New Construction & Renovation Fees collected through January 2023 this fiscal year amount to $353,116 and as of Jan. 31, 2023, the NC&R balance of uncommitted funds is $320,370. $300,000 of the NC&R fees collected this year have been allocated to provide support for next fiscal year’s budget, leaving a modest uncommitted balance going forward. As I cautioned in my last Treasurer’ Report, LOWA is approaching “build out” of the relatively few remaining undeveloped lots and we realistically cannot continue to expect in future years that NC&R Fees will provide the level of funds they have in the past. The recently established Ad Hoc
See Treasurer's Report on p. 3
The LOWA Annual FY23-24 Budget has been approved. For more information visit www.LOWA.org/Budget Look for the Budget-in-Brief feature in the March 10 issue
President's Letter 2 Board Agendas 2, 6 Association News 2 - 10 General Manager 3 Board Minutes 3 Financials 4-5 Calendar 7, 8 Viewpoints 14 Orange County 17 Classifieds 18 - 19 Employment Opportunities 19
Mon., March 6 LOWA Special Board Meeting for the purpose of a Retreat 9 AM, Clubhouse Wed., March 8 LOWA Regular Board Meeting 2 PM, Community Center, Zoom
Mon., March 13 LOWA Special Board Meeting Wake Boat Study Results and Watercraft Insurance 7 PM, Community Center, Zoom LOWA Website Links TEKControl (Visitor Management) LOWA.ORG/TEKCONTROL
See page 21