News & Happenings
Dancin' Dave
Maintenance Team Leader Dave Still offers a unique view of his annual palm-tree trimming in the video. He also uses cleats to manually climb, hand-over-hand, to finish off remote trees.
Thanks Dave!
Roger Will, outdoorsman, pickleball enthusiast, and cribbage master, passed away at his Bass Lake, MN, home.
Roger Will Passes
A Los Lagos Vistas champion, Roger Will passed away July 26 after a cancer battle.
Roger was major contributor to Los Lagos Vistas' fun atmosphere and active lifestyle. He was as avid pickleball player, outdoorsman, and fierce cribbage competitor.
He and his wife, Ann, have been community leaders promoting long-range HOA planning, community projects, such as tennis court and pickleball court upkeep, and swimming pool and Rec Area improvements. Ann has been active is hosting sporting tournaments, and fun events that bring color and community to Los Lagos Vistas
A water leak popped through asphalt by the pool entrance right after two new valves were installed Monday morning.
Valves Fixed, But More Leaks
Contractors worked Monday to replace two leaking underground water valves along Montana Vista, but as soon as they were fixed, the added pressure on the remainder of the system popped a leak near the pool entrance.
Crews came out to mark water lines and plans were made to dig again to find the new leak and get it repaired.
Lake Havasu City officials believe the complex is leaking 2,400-3,000 gallons of water per hour, that's like filling 17 30,000-gallon swimming pools a week or about 10 railroad boxcars a week. While fixing what it can, the HOA is also exploring other funding to be able to more quickly identify leaks and repair the system.
Team Spruces Up the Front Yard
The volunteer "Dirt Crew" worked hard over the winter and spring to finish up beautification of the Lake Havasu Avenue frontage. Begun two years ago by HOA President Jason Hart, the work includes rockscaping, xeriscaping, and some great design plus lots of sweat.
Final Carport Repairs Completed
Will Silva, left, and James Vanderpas of Castle Rock Construction finish up on the carport ceiling repairs in Circle 6.
Above, the new valve replaces a leaking one on the main into Circle 7. Sand is poured into trench to insulate water lines from rocks and movement that cause leaks. Lindsay Excavation team member sets a new man hole to access the valve.
Final Lap
Circle 7's water line project has been completed and the new water lines should stop frequent leaks and ongoing repairs that have occurred in the circle.
The rennovation revealed major, undetected water leaks that contributed to the loss of 2,400 to 3,000 gallons of water per hour, as measured by the city's new water meter into the complex.
The project ended up costing about more than $70,000 in parts, labor, and paving. The HOA is exploring grants and financing to address any continuing problems to avoid more assessments or dues increases.
The finished project is at far left. Top right, workers cleared everything out and restarted. Below right, what workers started with.
Pool is Working
The final steps to complete the pool-heater repair finished this week with a complete refurbishment of the pool shed plumbing and electrical. The work will make the new pool heater work better and last longer.
The HOA Board ordered the $7,000 repair with urgency to make water temperatures comfortable and pool operations more efficient.
Bobcat Prowls
A young bobcat was seen Wednesday, Oct. 22, in the pool area, apparently looking for breakfast.
Reports from the maintenance team indicate a couple of kittens were seen earlier this year making a crowded clowder (for you crossword buffs) in the colony.
So, keep small pets in sight and don't leave food scraps on the grass. Our mini-wilderness also hosts its share of coyotes, roadrunners, and owls, offering a different kind of wild side from what we usually see in the afternoons.
Pool Gets Plastered
A Unique Pools & Spas team set up rigging and completed plastering Saturday, singing and dancing as they worked together.
A crowd showed up Saturday to finish the final "big job" to get the pool open and operating. About 15 workers from Unique Pools & Spas sprayed plaster then troweled it to smoothness.
Contractors need to acid wash the plaster embedded with mini-glass pebble, for further smoothing and material curing. Once completed, the pool will begin filling, which could take a couple of days.
After a couple of days of curing and brushing after its filled, the pool will open for swimming. Although it won't be heated for at least a week.
Watch for the Social Committee's grand opening party.
Los Lagos Vistas Entry Under Repair & Remodel
The Los Lagos Vistas HOA is shining up curb appeal along Lake Havasu Avenue by freshening up landscaping, fixing the curbs, and adding fresh paint.
An independent contractor repaired the curbing that runs along the right-of-way and painted it.
Phase 2 is the removal of oleander bushes, that HOA President Jason Hart is taking on with passion. Bushes have been trimmed and will continue next week. Once trimmed, shovels will fly to remove dirt and dig out oleanders. The plants were looking bad, and the city has called them "weeds" that use a lot of water. The plants are also harmful if eaten by children or pets.
Irrigation lines along the front have been capped to reduce water use and lower campus water bills.
Phase 3, will see new small aggregate placed in in key locations along the avenue. Phase 4 will see installment of new rockscaping to add aesthetic touches and a welcoming entrance to the neighborhood.
HOA President Jason Hart rakes and cuts dreaded oleanders to reduce water use while improving the appearance of the Los Lagos Vistas entry. Cpncrfete repair and paint freshen up the complex entrance.
'Dirt Crew' @ Work
Volunteer "Dirt Crew" team members spruce up Montana Vista near Circle 6 recently. The crew meets Thursday mornings during winter and spring to revitalize the campus.
Headed by Jim Corbett, who also serves as Los Lagos Vistas HOA Board vice president, the crew has been replacing plants lost to last summer's heat wave, and adding plants to common areas.
Above, Bob Litz and Jim Corbett haul fill material to level out rockscaping. Bob and Doreene Schaffer, Architectural Chair, clean up the bushes.