Palm Desert Country Club Association

Quorum Article - July 2001

Palm Desert Country Club association (PDCCA) is a planned community of 959 single-family homes in east Palm Desert. It is bounded by Fred Waring Drive to the south, Hovely Lane to the north, Washington Street to the east, and Oasis Country Club to the west. The homes are laid out among the fairways of the Palm Desert Country Club, which is in fact unrelated to PDCCA.

PDCCA began life in 1960 as “Palm City.” It was California’s first “seniors only” development and was promoted as an “Active Retirement Community” for the 50 and over. The concept was very similar to the current successful Del Webb senior projects. Unfortunately, while ahead of its time, it was also premature and the age restriction for purchasers was soon lifted for a then lack of a market. Ironically, PDCCA subsequently became a popular place for retirees.

The original developers were Severin Construction and Secrest Construction, who built most of the homes after the pattern of the models. However, when poor market conditions gave rise to financial difficulties and eventual foreclosure, some of the unbuilt lots were sold off for private construction. Local builders Frank Goodman and Dick Oliphant took the development over from the lender in 1962, completed it and renamed it Palm Desert Country Club Association.

The majority of homes at PDCCA are two and three bedroom units ranging in size from about 1,200 to 1,800 square feet. The homes currently sell in the $130 to $220 thousand dollar range. Back in 1960, prices started at $12,995! The latest private construction took place last year and, surprisingly, there are still a few vacant lots.

Homeowner Association dues are a very low $225 per year, which is paid in one lump sum. The Association’s responsibilities are limited to the operation and maintenance of PDCCA’s central facilities, which are located on 4.2 acres on Avenue of the States.

Indoor facilities, in approximately 5,800 square feet, include a recreation hall with stage and full kitchen, lounge, card rooms, HOA office, and an activities center. The lounge is named for Alice Marble, a well-known tennis pro and member of the Tennis Hall of Fame. Many of the original owners at PDCCA worked in the entertainment industry as supporting talent and would stage very successful shows in the recreation hall.

Outdoors there is a large Jacuzzi and two large pools. One pool is for adults only. The other is a family pool. There is a BBQ area for outdoor social activity, and lighted shuffleboard courts.

Because of affordable prices, the HOA’s recreational facilities, and a good location relative to schools, PDCCA has become very attractive to people with young families. This has resulted in a demographic shift, so that the population of PDCCA is now about 50/50 retired people and young families. This change in demographics has brought about a change in the character of the HOA.

As originally laid out, PDCCA had facilities for a camera club, a woodworking club, a leather working club, a lapidary club, a ceramics club and more. However, with the change in population, there became insufficient interest in these activities to justify the space devoted to them. Thus about 2,000 square feet of space (the activities center) became superfluous to requirements.

Over the course of many years PDCCA’s facilities had been allowed to fall into disrepair. However, during the past five years new leadership on the Board of Directors has overseen a reversal of the neglect and a complete rehabilitation. This has involved recognition of the demographic shift at PDCCA and some creative restructuring of the HOA, its finances, operation, and management. Here are some examples.

The space previously occupied by the crafts clubs is now rented out as a revenue enhancer. This helps considerably with HOA expenses. The recreation hall, complete with stage and kitchen is also made available for rental by outside groups.

The City of Palm Desert leases (for $1.00 per year) and has also developed and now maintains about one acre of the HOA property as a Neighborhood Park. This is part of the City’s long-range plan to introduce areas of green belt throughout its jurisdiction. Included in the park are a rose garden, children’s playground, dog park, and volleyball court. The rose garden is a popular place for weddings. Near the rose garden is an “Arbor of Remembrance,” honoring past residents of PDCCA. The City spent some $800,000 on this project, which was several years in planning and development. The park was dedicated last year. Thus the Association not only gets the City to develop and maintain part of its property, its members also enjoy the results!

A small part of the property is rented to Sprint for a relay station. The antenna tower is so cleverly disguised as a date palm that one wouldn’t know it were there unless one was actually looking for it. This also contributes to the Association’s cash flow and helps keep the dues down.

Frank Proulx is the property manager. Marilynn Hamlet has been President of PDCCA’s unusually large 9-member board of directors for the past 5 years. Says Marilynn, when asked why she spends so much time in volunteer work, “Volunteering is the price I pay for my space in life.”