By: Clifford F. Dobler

Much Discussion and debate has been held  regarding Ordinance 7 and the ever increasing number of people  using beach facilities.  This analysis may help you  understand the various factors which affect beach use.

First and foremost there are 7,756 parcels or dwelling units that are entitled to obtain a maximum of 5 Picture passes or punch cards in any combination for payment of the annual Rec Fee.   Each parcel owner can chose to buy an unlimited number of additional punch cards.

The Picture passes provide  unlimited use and can be obtained by anyone  who is one of the 32 different relatives listed on the Family Tree of the parcel owner.  The punch cards can be given  to anyone the parcel owner chooses to give it to.

The latest data  provided by Steve Pinkerton’s  GM Corner in the Bonanza on August 3, 2017 is there are  38,780 Picture Passes or Punch Cards which are required to be issued to parcel owners,  of which 20,417 pictures passes and 10,326  punch cards have been issued so far this year. . There remains 8,037 cards which are available to be issued but have not been claimed.

All of these cards are void each May 1, and must be renewed  each subsequent year.

Beginning in 2013, the district began issuing White Forms and Access Tickets to guests or renters who are staying in parcel owners homes. The White Forms were eliminated this year.

The official “Beach season” consists of 140 days beginning  two weeks prior to Memorial day and ends two weeks after Labor Day.  After that the gates are not manned and access is on a walk in basis to anyone.

This is what we know about usage

In 2016, 111,711 beach visits  were from using the 20,417 Pictures Passes issued.  Based on the 140 day season, each resident, on average, used the Beaches  once every 39 days or only 5.5 times per season

In 2016 there were 77.750 beach visits from Guests of Residents, and their entry was either paid by using a punch card  or paid with  cash.  It is unknown the exact breakdown between cash or punch cards as  IVGID will not release that information. Our best guest is approximately 40,000 guests entries are by using  punch cards and the remaining  37,000 guests are paying in cash at the gate.

The last group of people  entering the beaches are guests of a parcel owner who rents  their property on a short term basis. The property owner or rental agent obtains Guest Access Tickets for their guests . A owner can obtain an unlimited number of  Guest Access Tickets normally for no longer than two weeks and are used for daily  use.  IVGID staff attempts to control the numbers but it really depends on how many people are using the rental and at best it is not manageable unless a spy ring is developed .  In 2016, there was 9,418 people entering the beaches by presenting a Guest Access Ticket.

Adding it all up during  the 2016 season 189,281 visits to the beach were made or 1,353 people per day.  There are a few additional  visits by children under 5 who get in free. We do not have that  count. Ten years ago, Beach visits  were 155,106  meaning an increase of 22%  or 2.2% per year.

SOME FRIGTHING NUMBERS

Now let’s say that our demographics  change and as older people move out and younger people move in, there may be  a  desire by residents to visit the beach one extra day  per season.  That will add  another 20,417 people on the beach. What if, because IVGID begins offering more amenities, like the Beach House, rental equipment, more playgrounds and retaining walls to nowhere  residents  decide to go one additional  time.  Add another 20,417 visits to the beach. There is no stopping these increases as  visits from Picture Passes are unlimited and can be used 1,000 items .  By the way, Guests will also tag along  and  which cannot be limited if they are willing to pay the entry fee..

Now let’s remember  those 8,037 cards which have not been issued suddenly get issued because people begin to realize they have value, are useful in gaining free beach access,  can be given away to one of 32 Family Tree relative,  or given away to anyone if it’s a punch card. .  If each card is used 5.5 times each season,  Beach visits could increase by  another 40,145  per year .

Within the next  5 to 10 year time period,  a safe prediction is  visits to the beach will exceed 240,000 per year.

Why do you think Ordiance 7  has not been changed since 1998?.  You cannot take away from citizens something you have already given them.  The Management, Trustees and Staff have no solution to limiting beach access other than placing limits.  This will not work.  Many more fruitless discussions will be on the way. Good luck on a wasted endeavor.