Lodge building

[loveBlackButte]

The Black Butte Lodge is beautifully and interestingly designed and
can be used, with few changes, for social gatherings game nights,
permanent locations for games/puzzles for people to gather at any
time, meetings, a place to comfortably read the paper/magazines)
especially if coffee, etc. is available), meeting and visiting with
other homeowners or guests, discussion groups, music jamming sessions
for interested persons, etc. A library would also be valuable; in
addition to books and papers, recent news magazines could be shared
there. It's purpose could be a gathering place. These things could b
arranged with little cost.

It is also inconvenient with its many levels- especially the dining
rooms/kitchen. However, if, at some point it is determined that more
convenient dining/kitchen facilities are needed, it would seem that
portion could be added on to the existing building to create a
welcoming center with varieties of activities provided and available.
(The lodge seemed much more pleasant and welcoming when there was a
desk and someone there to greet guests.) The lodge should NOT be torn
down to make space for a new facility.

The BIGGEST ISSUE for us, however, is that NO ADDED EXPENSES are
created for a LONG while- until the economy recovers. The current
economy is putting a lot of stress on many homeowners. We are NOT
INTERESTED in ANY optional additions that raise our costs. It is
important that we creatively make the best use of what we have.

Perhaps the issue is competition for more guests for lodging, food,
golf, etc. though we heard at the June meeting that BB will be owner
funded in the future. We've built it- and they're not coming. So we
need to accept financial realities. Black Butte remains a wonderful
place even though it is older than the more recent resorts.

Another item regarding finances: I would assume that those with the
most valuable houses have more access to personal funds needed to
support Black Butte expenses. The value of their property may be
proportionally more closely related to the appeal and value of BB as a
whole. Isn't it time to consider assessing costs PROPORTIONALLY in
the future to the value of individual properties instead of all of us
paying the same amount?

Thank you for providing this space for discussion.

Jeanette and Bruce Flaming

[Katie Williams]

Jeanette and Bruce - Thank you for your recent comments. Homeowner
feedback is most valuable to us. I enjoyed your suggestions for
possible activities at the Lodge. We are in fact in the process of
creating a "library" were we will implement a "take-a-book, leave-a-
book" tradition. Thus far homeowners have responded overwhelmingly.
We currently have over 500 books donated for our library at the
lodge.

In response to your comment about "no added expenses" the Lodge Area
Task Force is very sensitive to keeping costs down. Thus far all
activities for the Lodge area have been designed to utilize existing
assets to their highest and best use with very little expense to the
homeowner. This is one of the reasons the "Gallery at the Lodge" was
created. After the front desk/registration function was moved to the
newly built Welcome Center, it left an empty space at the entrance to
the Lodge. The creation of the gallery space made it an area where
homeowners and guests could come to view the rotating art display
(created and managed with little or not cost to the homeowner) and to
engage in conversation about the art itself or just to catch up with
each other. In addition, with each new exhibit there is an Artist
Reception where attendees have an opportunity to talke with the Artist
about their work.

If you have any other ideas or comments regarding the Lodge area
please be sure to let us know so we can keep the discussion and dialog
going.

Thanks!
Katie