COVER STORY - CREATING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY
TWENTY
PLACE
What
is condominium living? Is
it following the Condo Act? Enforcing your corporation's by-laws?
At Twenty
Place, condominium living is
about creating a sense of community. This gated adult community encompasses 650
units in ten phases with a clubhouse and about 1,200 residents. Overseeing it
all, are fifty directors and a management company. Not an easy task considering
the site is larger than many small towns.
To be successful, Twenty
Place exhibits a set of values
that empowers its members to be involved in the decisions that affect every day
life. First and foremost is an organizational structure that streamlines the
process of getting fifty directors to agree on decisions that will impact all
condominium phases. By properly utilizing a committee structure that respects
the decision making authority of individual phases, decisions can be made
quickly and decisively. However, a balanced organizational structure is not enough. What makes the system successful are
directors who act in good faith, trust their service providers and always work
together by putting the needs of the whole community above the interests of
individuals. Fortunately, Twenty
Place has a working group of
Directors who
understand
that property management is a complex undertaking that requires much trust,
hard work and communication.
For almost ten years, Twenty
Place has succeeded in this
regard and the results are reflected in the spirit of this community. Residents
are constantly supporting each other in many different ways. For example,
volunteers recently organized an information night about Alzheimer's to assist
people living in our community who suffer from this dreadful disease. Other
residents ensure that social activities are regularly held to promote community
spirit. In fact, more than 30 events are held per month coordinated by many
volunteers. Facilitating these efforts are the directors through the various
committees and the residents who support them.
To the people living at Twenty
Place - this lifestyle is what
condominium living is about!