A New Look

At the end of the 2022, The restaurant space was closed for a major renovation. The new space will be much more inviting and fully compliant with TABC codes. The POA is optimistic it will reopen in time for Spring Break, but has arranged to have food trucks on site to service Spring Break visitors as a backup plan.

New & Improved Service

After an extensive search, a new restaurant contract has been awarded to Jerilyn Worden & Juliana Galvan, who currently own and operate the popular Galveston staple, Bubba’s on the Strand.

Here's what we can expect from the new restaurant operators of "Sippin' on Sunshine":

• Restaurant / Bar service available a minimum of 6 days a week during peak season and a minimum of 2 weekend days during the off season - as well as special holidays

• Service all day! Plans are to begin with a Brunch/Lunch/Dinner menu and possibly expand to breakfast service.

• Special Pool Side Events such as Saturday Mimosas with Moms

• Special Beach Events such as Volleyball Tournaments and Luaus

• Holiday & Kids Menus

• Take-out and Delivery Service

• Sunset / Lazy River Pool Concessions

Pre-2023 Pool Improvements

In the past couple of years both pools were significantly remodeled with new plaster & tile, new landscaping, new furniture, etc.. AND in 2021 the Lazy River Pool (sunset pool) was HEATED! Both pools have large hot tubs and have always been open year-round, but the heating of the lazy river has really enhanced the ability of owners and guests to have year-round enjoyment.

Pools Repairs to be complete before Spring Break

2023 has been a rough year for the pools. The Beach Club spa is working, but the Infinity Pool has been without water since the December freeze. The Lazy River pool is operational, but also has a leak, and will be taken out of service for repair on February 22nd.

Both pools have been thoroughly evaluated and detailed plans are underway to have both pools and repaired and back in service in time for Spring Break. If you are showing your clients the pool facilities please let them know that repairs are underway!

POA Dues- $850/qtr for 2023

In 2023 the POA fee increased from $800/qtr to $850/qtr. This is a modest increase if you consider all it covers and also the record inflation we had in 2022.

Even with this increase, POA dues are still less than what they were 10 years ago. Historically the Pointe West POA has done of keeping dues down, while at the same time delivering numerous community improvements:

  - $900/qtr 2012-2015

  - $800/qtr 2016

  - $750/qtr 2017-2108

  - $765/qtr 2019-2020

  - $780/qtr 2021

  - $800/qtr 2022

  - $850/qtr 2023

As a reminder, POA dues are the same for all owners - Cottages, Custom Homes, Villas Condos and Bay Water Condos. POA Dues cover Office Staff, Onsite Security and Community Amenities: Beach Side Infinity Pool, Bay Side Lazy River / Sunset Pool, Fitness Center, Owner's Lounge, Locker Rooms, Game Room, Basketball Court, Pickleball Court, Beach Walkovers, Beach Cleaning, Community Landscaping, Fishing Pier, Fountains and Ponds, Golf Cart and Pedestrian Trails, etc..

2023 Condo Dues

The Condo Dues vary by size of unit and also whether the unit is located in one of the 18 Villas beach side buildings or one of the 10 bay side Bay Water buildings.

Condo Dues cover property management, exterior maintenance (roof, siding, balconies, parking garage and garage storage cages), landscape around the building, elevator maintenance, water, basic cable, and most insurance. Owners still need to get a 'condo policy' which typically runs $100-$150/month depending upon elected coverages.

Dues are billed quarterly, but are commonly shown as a monthly fee in MLS so that a comparison can be made to other townhomes and condos on the island.

Villas Condos to get new Elevators

In January the Villas voted to replace the elevators in all of the Villas units. A phased replacement project should start in the Fall of 2023 with the goal of replacing the elevators in all 18 buildings by the end of 2025.

The project will be funded by a special assessment, with 8 quarterly payments starting in Q2 2023 and ending in Q1 2024. Like the condo dues, the special assessment varies depending upon the size of the unit:

• 2 bedroom/2 bath units have 8 payments of $2253 each
• 3 bedroom/2 bath units have 8 payments of $2936 each
• 3 bedroom/3 bath units have 8 payments of $3532 each

If you have been working in Pointe West, you may remember that there's been talk about elevator repair vs replacement since 2017. Unfortunately the elevators were not designed properly by the developer, were not prepared properly for Ike, and in the early years of the HOA management were not properly maintained.

By switching elevator maintenance contractors and adopting a more aggressive maintenance program, the Villas has been able to keep all of the elevators operational and to date they tend to be much more reliable that what was experienced in prior years.

That being said, maintenance has been expensive and thru an extensive study a committee of 8 owners determined it will be more cost effective in the long run to start working on replacement. Unlike previous votes where the owners were split or favored maintenance over replacement, this time the vote passed by an overwhelming majority.

With new elevators the operational costs should decrease and hopefully they will last much longer than the current ones.

Bay Water Elevators

At this time there are no plans to replace Bay Water's elevators, although I think you can expect that at some point Bay Water will go thru a similar study and cost/benefit analysis.

Continually Improving the Community

The Pointe West is constantly looking at new ways to utilize the vast amount of community green space that exists:

• November 2022 - Pickleball Court added just off Jetty Drive

• August 2022 - Jetty Drive Gazebo was Renovated to accommodate events like the music Festival that was held in September

• May 2021 - Basketball Court was added near 26320 Cat Tail

• May 2019 - Gameroom was added at the Beach Club with TV, Pool Table, Ping Pong, Foosball, etc..