…at the “Evening with the Developer”. Once again Mark Morse did not disappoint. I arrived early and settled in to my favorite seat – Row B, Seat 1 in the Left Balcony, and watched the residents arrive in droves. I couldn’t help but notice how happy everybody was, especially that they were coming to hear the Developer speak. They all had a look of cheerful anticipation as they made their way to their seats waving to all their friends on their way. I took my notes fast and furious and though the statistics seem unbelievable, they are true, to the best of my stenographic ability. Fun stuff…11 years ago there were 15,000 homes and 30,000 residents. 2012 there are 48,424 homes and 94,870 residents. Real Estate statistics: 2011 they sold 2271 new homes and 1398 pre-owned…total 3669 and in 2012 they sold 2790 new homes and 1685 pre-owned…total 4475. Year To Date Jan thru April 318 new homes and 207 pre-owned…total 525 and last year the same time Jan thru April 230 new homes and 155 pre-owned…total 385. The average sale price has gone up 10% and they expect the last house will be built in the 1st quarter of 2016. My personal opinion is the prices will continue to rise as the anticipated build out is reached. There are many concerns about the traffic, but The Villages has been designed to keep it moving with the many circles we have. The comparison was made of the traffic in many other areas of 100,000 people or more…Ocala, Clearwater and the like, if you think of their traffic and traffic lights compare that to the 12 mile stretch between Rt.#42 and Rt.#44..there are only two traffic lights. The traffic circles keep us moving, just imagine if they were all lights. There have been 40,000 visits to our recreation centers per month, there are 1000 recreation facilities counting, pools, pickle ball and tennis courts, bocce, shuffleboard, golf courses. We are the only community offering platform tennis in Florida, and another platform facility is being built as it has become very popular. There were 110,000 volunteer hours at the recreation facilities in 2012. 18,000 residents took part in the Senior Games and another 18,000 residents took classes at the Lifelong Learning College. In 2013, 2,547 residents took Pickle ball lessons and we have 101 residents that have earned a black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do. I think you would agree that the statistics are pretty darn impressive, all of them. I do have a few more tidbits but they will be for another blog. If you want to hear Mark Morse’s address in full, you can see it on Channel 2 on Saturday at noon, 3pm, 6pm or 9pm. You will hear more about exciting plans for the future of The Villages.