As we reflect on the whirlwind of 2024, it’s clear: this year has been a major turning point for the Civic Association. From crucial infrastructure improvements to thoughtful renovations and repairs from Hurricane Ian, the changes made this year have wonderfully enhanced our community space.
A Solid Foundation: The New Roof and Flooring
The installation of a new roof and epoxy flooring stood out among this year’s renovation projects. The new roof not only extends our building's life expectancy but also shields it from harsh weather. The flood-proof epoxy flooring plays a key role in preventing water damage, ensuring that our space remains fully functional, even during heavy rainfall and major flooding events. Since we experienced three after the installation of the epoxy floor, we believe it was the wise choice.
Cabinets and Audio/Visual Upgrades
We also focused on enriching our indoor environment with new hardwood lower cabinets and top-of-the-line audio/visual equipment. The standout feature is a 110-inch screen. This upgrade will transform our community events, making presentations and movie nights possible.
Ceiling Tiles and Fresh Paint
A visually pleasing environment encourages community interaction. Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Ian, we installed new ceiling tiles and refreshed our walls with vibrant paint colors. These changes breathed new life into our space and created a warm atmosphere conducive to gathering. Member feedback has been very positive.
Dehumidifiers and New Refrigerators
Given the fact that we have a flooding building, we invested in two dehumidifiers to improve air quality and comfort. These units are essential for keeping the building dry and usable, especially after flooding. In addition to that, our kitchen facilities received a significant boost with the addition of two refurbished refrigerators. This ensures we have enough space for food storage during community events, an improvement that has been critical as event attendance grows.
Bathrooms and Septic System
Hurricane Helene in 2024 caused one of our septic tanks to collapse. We recognized the importance of clean and functional facilities, leading us to make substantial upgrades to our bathrooms. With the assistance of the GoFundMe campaign, we raised a significant amount just for that purpose during the summer. In addition, we had some anonymous donors that contributed to our overall needs at the facility.
The women’s bathroom is receiving a complete remodel, moving toward a more flood proof design. Furthermore, we are almost done replacing our outdated septic system, which will enhance waste management efficiency significantly.
Tree Servicing
Beyond the indoor changes, we have paid attention to our outdoor facilities. Gerard's Tree Service took care of several trees on our property, which not only beautifies our space but also enhances safety for our members. Properly maintained trees lower risks of falling branches and provide shading for outdoor events, demonstrating our commitment to a wholesome and safe environment.
One tree in particular was in a precarious state and in danger of falling on the southwest corner of the building. Thankfully, this work was accomplished before the 3 major hurricanes that we experienced during September and October.
A Year of Accomplishments
As we wrap up 2024, the fruits of our labor are unmistakable. Each enhancement has been carefully chosen to improve our community experience and ensure the Civic Association remains a vibrant hub for all. The transformation we have achieved this year is just the beginning, look forward to some very exciting events and activities in 2025.
Looking forward, we are excited to build on this strong foundation and further enhance our Civic Association. We extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to these efforts and to our members for their steadfast support. Here’s to an even brighter and more vibrant future!
Comments