The Latest News
July Lot Inspections To Help Keep Us Fire Safe
Lot inspections in Big Trees Village will begin on July 7th. Please remove needles, branches, and other debris around your home. Additionally, remove any combustible materials from your roof and deck.
If you are contracting with a lot cleaning company, it is essential to email your name and address to manager@bigtreesvillage.org. This way, your property will not be inspected. If you require bins for your debris, contact Cal Waste to reserve and get their current fees.
Volunteers are needed to handle the inspections. It is a commitment of no more than 2-3 hours, and you get in your walking exercise with an extra benefit. If you can help, call the Association office at 209-795-1971.
Remember that all the hours put into cleaning and inspecting lots are responsible for our national designation as a Firewise Community. Some property owners have found this designation helpful with insurance.
Please help keep our beautiful community fire safe!
Member Volunteer Day May 17th 9 am - 1 pm
Please join us if you can. Work activities will include:
• Raking and hauling branches, pine needles, and leaves to a number of burn piles
• Painting benches and deck
• Other tasks as needed
Coffee and pastries will be served to start the day, lunch will also be provided.
Please bring gloves, rakes, tarps, and wheelbarrows if you can.
Sign up to volunteer here. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Facility Upgrades, Future Investments, and Summer Calendar
March 2025
We're excited to share progress on two important facility upgrades, some ideas for future investments, and the summer calendar. There is a lot to look forward to!
Facility Improvements Underway
Tennis/Pickleball Courts: The board has approved a $70,000 investment to completely replace the court surface. We're currently in final negotiations with our selected vendor and plan to use our carefully built reserves to fund this significant improvement.
Pool Heating System Upgrade: We're investing $15,000 in new heaters for the big pool. With one unit failing late in the 2024 season, we've made the cost-effective decision to replace both units simultaneously. These new heaters have an expected lifespan of 20-30 years, which—combined with the new filters and pumps installed in May 2024—ensures our major pool equipment will serve the community reliably for decades to come.
Sound Reserve Management
These improvements are direct results of our financial decisions. A couple of years ago, we made a strategic decision to invest a significant percentage of the community's reserves in Certificates of Deposit (CD). This prudent financial move has generated valuable interest income, ensuring our funds actively benefit our community while remaining secure. Additionally, we were able to further strengthen our financial position through substantial savings on staffing costs, as board members volunteered their time and expertise during the challenging post-COVID period.
How You Can Help
While our financial planning has positioned us well for these improvements, we need your assistance with cash flow timing. The tennis/pickleball court project requires an upfront payment when signing the contract to secure materials. By renewing your memberships now rather than later, you'll help us maintain our valuable CD investments (allowing them to continue earning interest) while providing the immediate cash flow needed to initiate the court project.
If you are in a position to purchase your membership now, we would really appreciate your consideration. We’ve posted our summer calendar of events, so take a look.
Future Planning
The deck areas by the pool are also showing their age and will require investment. Since our reserve balance cannot accommodate all demands simultaneously, we're developing fundraising opportunities to help modernize as many facilities as possible. More information on these initiatives will be shared soon.
Meanwhile, please consider adding an additional donation to our Capital Campaign when you renew your membership. Your contribution will help us continue to make improvements that we all will enjoy.
Summer Employment Opportunities
We're ramping up hiring efforts for the Summer season! Open positions include front gate, snack bar, and lifeguard roles. If you or your family members are interested in working part-time at the Recreation Center, please see job opportunities here.
Firewise Community
As a Firewise community, helpful information can be found here.