December 2017
D I G E S T
The Official Publication of the Kiawah Island Community Association
The Sandcastle, A History: Part 2 - Improving and Upgrading
The Sandcastle is currently closed for major renovations. Since
it opened in 1996, it has needed numerous modifications, most
described by administrators as “Band-Aids.” Last month Digest
reported the story of how the Sandcastle came to be and the
triumphs and challenges of the first few years. The story continues
this month, from 2000 to the present.
The first improvements of the 21st century were to the pool.
By 1999, the Recreation Center pool was nearly 25 years old
and deteriorated, even though it had been refurbished in 1993.
(Sometime in its first 10 years, the Recreation Center became
known only by its nickname, the Sandcastle, but in 1999, it
was still officially the Property Owners’ Recreation Center).
The KICA board asked the Recreation Center Operating
Committee (RCOC) to investigate repair and replacement
alternatives. Assisted by design professionals the RCOC
recommended replacing the pool and upgrading the other
outdoor facilities.
Based on the RCOC report, the board decided to construct
a new complex with a 25-meter pool, pool decking, pump
house and children’s pool, at an estimated cost of $500,000
- $600,000, in addition to upgrading the bathhouse facilities,
which were already scheduled as regular maintenance. The
board also decided to hold a referendum for approval of a new
children’s playground, a pavilion, wood decks and arbors, and
a new beach boardwalk with an observation and seating area, at
a cost of $300,000. Funds for both projects would come from
the Recreation Center’s dedicated Major Repairs Fund plus a
loan from KICA’s general Major Repair and Replacement fund.
The board presented the plan to members at the 1999
annual meeting, along with additional financial strategies “to
strengthen the Recreation Center’s financial position,” that
included increased guest and class fees and adding a small
non-resident (part-time owner) user fee; a resident user fee was
already in place. To sweeten the package, the board proposed a
covenant amendment to reduce the Recreation Center amenity
assessment (a part of the annual KICA assessment) from a
maximum increase of 10%, to 5% annually.
The referendum passed with 80% of members voting in favor;
the separate covenant amendment also passed. The existing pool
was quickly bulldozed and, by Memorial Day 2000, members
had a new pool complex with a pool that, according to a Digest
article at the time, was 30% larger with a “much larger area
and an acrylic ‘cool deck’ coating, as well as 2,000 square feet
of covered pavilion, a tree-shaded playground and baby pool,
completely renovated restrooms, and a new boardwalk to the
beach with a deck overlooking the ocean.” It was intended to
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