COMMON GROUNDS COMMITTEE
The Common Grounds Committee, in conjunction with our General Manager and Master Board, have been busy working on cost estimates and projections for the 2026 calendar year budget. For some residents the operating budget for the “Common Grounds” area of our community may seem very large. So, the committee members thought it would be interesting to provide some “did you know” points about our community and Common Grounds to help better understand the intricacies of our community as well as the work and budget necessary for maintaining our “Common Grounds.”
Did you know . . .
• VCC encompasses a total of 282.33 acres, which includes around 85 acres for the golf course, 121 acres of residential land, 36 acres of open space, and 40 acres designated as right of way. Common Grounds helps maintain 161.33 acres of VCC property, covering all areas except for the residential sections.
• Common Grounds is responsible for caring for approximately 1,500 palms and 550 hardwoods, such as live oaks and pines, located throughout the common areas and golf course.
• The VCC golf course includes 15 bodies of water, with fountains and/or aerators. Common Grounds oversees their operation, water quality, plant management, and general maintenance.
• VCC is one of the few Lee County residential communities that has a river flowing through. VCC has the Estero River channel as well as the North Estero River branch and the South Estero River branch running through the community. The Common Grounds Committee is responsible for maintaining the riverbanks, stabilizing riverbanks, erosion control and regulating invasive plants.
• VCC has 85.6 acres of main irrigation lines, which the Common Grounds Committee operates and maintains along with the pumps.
• Common Grounds is responsible for maintaining and cleaning VCC’s storm drains as preventative steps for flooding.
• Common Grounds Committee is responsible for mowing of common areas, applying pesticide, trimming shrubs, fertilization, and enhancing the appearance of VCC with new plantings/landscaping. – YES, these are the responsibilities of Common Grounds Committee.
In summary, maintaining common areas, the golf course, flood control systems, and the Estero River, as well as landscaping, pond and irrigation upkeep, storm drain cleaning, and bank stabilization is much like the saying “it takes a village to raise a child,” effective management of our Village (Country Creek) requires many resources and collective effort.
