Today we will begin removing all balcony furniture off Caribe Resort units. If there are occupants in the units we will offer to come back tomorrow or they can move the furniture in themselves if they wish. All amenities will continue to be open. On Saturday we will secure the front lobby doors and all entry and exit will have to come thru the elevators under the buildings. These precautionary measures will hopefully prevent damage and loss of furniture in the event this storm increases in intensity. If however the storm decreases in intensity we may halt these preparations.

If you have been watching the news the Alabama Gulf Coast is under threat of a tropical disturbance. In the event this develops into a significant event we will be bringing balcony furniture in off Caribe balconies. We will also bring balcony furniture off Turquoise Place units that are managed by Caribe Realty. More information will be posted as this storm develops.

Summer is upon us and Caribe Resort is very busy but operating on all cylinders. First, we would like to announce a couple changes in staff at the department level which may impact you.

Kip Stricklin is the new Rental Director and comes to the property with 12 years experience in the Rental management business along the gulf coast. Contact, kstricklin@cariberesort.com, 251.980.9030

Angie Wyckoff has taken a new position as Hurman Resource Director. Contact Angie at awyckoff@cariberesort.com, 251.980.9024

Nikki Styles is our new in house Real Estate Agent, nstyles@caribersort.com, 251.980.9041, or Darla Wicker, Sales Receptionist at 251.980.9040

We welcome these new staff members and hope that you get a chance to meet them on your next visit.

Another item involves changes in our parking pass system. If you have not been aware we now have parking pass hangers for all guests, vendors, and employees. As owners we still require the car sticker which can be picked up at the sales office if you have recently purchased a new car or need an additonal sticker. These will only be given to the deeded owner so please do not send family members to pick these up.

Outcast Charters is gaining popularity by now offering fuel at the docks. Outcast has both diesel and marine gasoline along with all the other needs for watersports. Also, they just held the first annual Red Snapper Tournament with over 100 entrants. Although we did not see a record snapper the winning fish was over 30 lbs and paid $6000 to the winner!

Lastly, an update on the capital improvements to resort from the assessment that was announced earlier in the year. We have already collected over $1.2 million on the $1.843 assessment. The largest project has proven to be the most difficult for several reasons. Although we have made great progress in painting and repairing the building we will have to pospone 8 stacks to be completed after the summer season. We have ran into delays with weather, and more repairs than originally anticipated. This has slowed the completion date and we are now too occupied to continiue. The painter still have the top ribbon to complete and other areas so they will be on the job but not on the D tower balconies of 3,4,5,6,7 and 8 unit after summer.

Other updates include:
– Chaise lounge pads and chair pads are in and installed.
– A/C reapairs have been made to several of the large units.
– Heat pumps for C and D indoor pools are almost complete
– Traction adhesive was added to the lazy river over the winter to prevent slipping as you enter and exit
– Two trolleys were purchased and operating
– Two basketball goals were installed at the tennis courts. ( originally only one was planned but a second was added due to the high usage)
– We are almost complete with addtional parking directly behind the wood fence as you enter. This is overflow and trailer parking.
– We continue to add more pool loungers and repair the old ones.
– Fire sprinkler pipes have been repaired to the B tower
– Door hardware and hinges are currently being worked on
– Property wide surveillance system is currently being installed

In addtion several other of the small items have been purchased and we hope to have the entire list completed by the end of the year.

We hope to see you soon!

It is warming up here on the coast and we are saying good bye to most of our Winter Guests as they leave to head back north.

We have been working diligently over the winter to be ready for the spring and summer season. I would like to report a snap shot of the capital improvments made since the begininng of the year.

Building painting – 3 crews working, 8 stacks complete.

New Trolleys – 2 purchased and operational

Pool repairs to B tower – 2 hot tubs re-plastered, big pool tile repairs and 3rd hot tub will be up by weekend. Two water leaks under the pool deck were repaired.

Pump room- filter repairs on going.

Lazy River – leak and pipe repairs completed

Lazy River – non slip coating applied to entry and exit points

Camera Surveillance system – mapped out, products sourced and purchase waiting for approval.

New pool tables and chairs – B tower 50% complete, loungers will be following.

Pads for pool chaise lounges and pool chairs – ordered and waiting delivery in 2 to 3 weeks.

Tubes and umbrellas – purchased and received

Basketball court – installed at tennis courts

A/C Repairs – C tower coil replacment complete, other repairs planned.

Door Hardware and hinges – 25% complete

Tiki hut repairs – complete

Pool Slides – metal is being fabricated, B tower should be complete by month end. Please note these replacements will only take the one slide down at a time for a day or two.

In addtion to the property improvments we have been planning the 3rd Annual Orange Beach Wine Festival for May 4th. This is a seriously fantastic wine festival with over 120 wines to sample. Space for the Sunday Champagne Brunch is limited to, two seating of 60 people so plan on being here for this once a year event.

Be aware new parking passes will be used begininng next week. Four color coded passes will be issued for Caribe Realty guests, Owner Guests, Vendors and employees. We hope to minimize unwanted people to the resort.

Lastly, the board passed a new property rule that there will be no smokiing within the fenced pool area. This has been an overwhelming demand from many of our owners.

We hope to see you soon!

It was a wonderful annual meeting of the Caribe Resort Ownership today. Long-term friends were reunited and new friends were made. The food was great and numerous great ideas were discussed. In the next week we will be providing a more detailed recap. Please make sure to check out the new owners site at www.cariberesortowners.com While on the new website don’t forget to update your contact information so that you can receive all the communications from the COA.

We have hit the ground running on the property improvements! Caribe B and C tower have paint crews working daily and the completed areas look great. The two electric trolleys should be delivered prior to spring break and the pool furniture is being delivered as it is completed. We will be replacing all outdoor B tower furrniture first and have ordered the seat and chaise lounge cushions. We have received the two heat pumps for C and D indoor pools and the B tower pools are currently being worked on to repair underground leaks and replastering of two hot tubs. All the pool repairs should be completed by spring break. In additon, new metal is being fabricatied to replace and repair the slide structures. This is just a few of the items being worked on and we hope to have many of the other improvements completed by summer.

Also, do not forget the Annual homeowners meeting February 16th, 2013. The meeting will be held in D 100 with lunch by Cobalt served at noon and the meeting to start promply at 1:00pm. We will be sending out an agenda prior to the meeting but anyone interested in running for the board can email Stan Szapiel at sszapiel@cariberesort.com. If you are unable to attend please send in your proxy to ensure we have a quorum to conduct business. If you feel we do not have your correct address and numbers please call Accounting at 251.980.9057.

Lastly, we will be having the annual Lifestyle expo on February 7th. This is sponsored by the state of Alabama and a great way to show off the resort.

It is shaping up to be an exciting year at Caribe and we hope to see you soon!

On February 5th, 2013 there will be a meeting at Orange Beach City Council Chambers to address the request for Outcast Charter Docks to add fuel. Case number 0106-puda-13.

To all our Veteran Owners,

On behalf of Caribe Resort, we would like to thank all our Veteran Owners. Your unselfish service to our country has given us so many opportunities to enjoy the freedom who some take for granted.

We would like to thank you and know that freedom is not free and you have made a difference in this world.

We honor you on this day and remember the service men and women that have gone before you.

Thank you,

The Staff and Managment of Caribe Resort

Caribe Resort has a new website for the rental program. You can access the site at www.cariberesort.com . Please let us know any thoughts or recommendations.