From the General Manager, Mark Reid

As we continue to celebrate our 50th Anniversary of our community, I find it interesting that this is also the 50th Anniversary of Community Associations Institute (CAI). In 1973, CAI was organized through the joint efforts of the Urban Land Institute, National Association of Homebuilders, the U.S. League of Savings and Loan Associations, the Veterans Administration, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 23 builder/developers, and several leading community association professionals. As with our founder and developer, Farm and Home Savings, there was a big vision for managed communities and 1973 was the beginning of something big. It’s an amazing statistic that around 1973 there were only 10,000 communities with 701,000 housing units and 2.1 million residents. Fast forward 50 years, and that 70’s vision has grown to 358,000 communities with 28 million homes and 75 million residents.

Managed Communities have had this phenomenal popularity and growth rate because of the focus on the sense of community and harmony as well as creating and enriching lifestyle. Management of communities, like Lakewood, requires knowing how you have evolved over the past 50 years, while at the same time having a vision for what the community will look like 50 years from now. In my opinion, at 50 years young, Lakewood has aged well and is positioned well for the next half century. Obviously being a successful and harmonious community does not just happen. It takes a constant commitment from the members of the community.

Here in 2023, with the advancement of technology and the constant contact of social media and even more so the distinct social divisions that are prevalent in current society, CAI, as well as myself, want to communicate that “Civility” is one of the most important guiding principles in our communities. We will continue to foster a climate of open discussion and debate, mutual respect and tolerance between all who live in, work in and visit our community. Our community, regardless of buildings, lakes, pools etc., is only as good as the civility and harmony that resonates amongst “all” of our community members.

I look forward in this wonderful golden anniversary year to working with the community to reaffirm our commitment to civility and to Lakewood continuing into the next 50 years as our shining example of a truly vibrant and harmonious community.

Clubhouse Update

As most of you already know, we experienced a break in our Fire Suppression system above the main lobby on Christmas Eve 2022. This event rendered about 40% of the Clubhouse unusable. The Clubhouse is operational in all unaffected areas including the Argyle, St. Andrews Pub, Banquet Rooms and Golf Shop. The LPOA offices have been relocated to the Banquet rooms 1 and 2 on the northwest side of the main floor. All demolition of the affected areas is complete and we are in the planning and procurement process in order to begin reconstruction. A professional laboratory has been retained throughout this process to monitor and assure that air quality throughout the building is good.