A History and Explanation of Our Gates
Recently, Laura sent out an update regarding our gates being down for another week. This prompted several members to ask why we don’t install more substantial gates and to express concerns about the costs of maintaining the current ones. To address these questions, we’d like to provide some history and context regarding our gate system.
The Origins of Our Gates
The gates, installed in the 1980s, were not designed as a security measure. Their primary purpose was to prevent large trucks from cutting through Surf Pines to avoid the weigh scales on Highway 101. Will Josie spearheaded the initiative, and while the gates achieved their goal, maintaining them has been a challenge ever since.
The original gates were solid aluminum, and their heavyweight made repairs costly and time-consuming, often taking a month or more. Additionally, their slow closing speed allowed tailgating, leading many members to believe the gates didn’t effectively limit non-member access. Over time, the gates reached the end of their expected lifespan.
Transition to the Current Gates
Around 2016, Don Kruger, then the Director of the Roads and Grounds Committee, led an effort to replace the aging gates. After consulting with our vendor, Metro Door, Don and his committee opted for the current gate system for several key reasons:
- Quicker Closing Times: The lighter gates close faster, reducing tailgating opportunities.
- Breakaway Design: If hit, the gates can be repaired in days rather than months.
- Cost Efficiency: The new system was significantly more affordable than alternatives.
While these gates were never intended as a robust security measure (as the budget didn’t allow for staffed security at both gates), they provided a practical and cost-effective solution.
Successes and Challenges of the New Gates
Over the past seven years, the new gates have largely met the committee’s goals:
- Reduced Tailgating: Quicker closing times have led to a substantial decrease in tailgating.
- Faster Repairs: Damage caused by collisions can now be fixed much more quickly.
- Lower Costs: Maintenance expenses have dropped significantly. For example:
- In the 2023-24 fiscal year, we budgeted $6,000 for gate repairs but spent only $4,136—a 31% reduction.
- For 2024-25, the repair budget was lowered to $2,000. As of the first quarter, gate repairs have even generated a credit of $2,049 due to reimbursements from previous collisions.
Additionally, frequent collision damage has essentially resulted in new gates, eliminating the need for a planned $4,000 replacement from our reserves in the next fiscal year.
However, the quicker closing times have also resulted in an increase in collisions from tailgaters. Fortunately, with cameras at both gates, repair costs are mostly covered by the individuals responsible. Weather-related damages, particularly to the electronics, have also occurred but are covered under insurance regardless of the gate type.
Considerations for a More Substantial Gate System
If the membership wishes to replace the current system with a more substantial one, the costs would far exceed the $4,000 currently allocated in our reserves. Implementing such a system would require a special assessment to cover the significant additional expenses.