No Water Surrounding La Isla!

Just arrived at my apartment on La Isla totally shocked at the state of the lake. Well the hole that surrounds us! Please does anyone have any information as to whats going on!

Thanks

Deb

Hi Deb

Look at www.laisla.freeforums.org

I started the site for info about the island. You can join and I will activate you so you can ask anything. You
I've about the island.

Best regards

Neil

 

Well maybe the best solution to this problem would be to fill the damn thing in and just landscape the area! To be looking at it in the state it's in now is for sure is pretty bad!

Deb

Deb hang in there and don't let Elarado bother you. There is a lot of people working in our interests to get this situation resolved so ignore the idiots and try and remain positive.

I feel great sympathy for both the residents of La Isla who have definately been sold a pup, and the local communities around Condado who have always depended on the underground water sources and had it raped by Polaris. I know for a fact that most of these water supply issues were raised very early on in the planning stages of Condado and that is why it was at first rejected for planning consent. Now, somewhere along the line the very same authorities who are obviously reluctant to stump up any cash to alieviate the problem (regardless of what ML e-mail might imply, I would bet my bottom dollar that the local council will fight tooth & nail to avoid any contributions - how can they afford it in bankrupt Spain ?) originally allowed this develoment to go ahead. So what was the deal there then ?

And why would any locals who have no affinity to Condado want to contribute indirectly through their taxes & rates. We have to be realistic here.

It is pretty obvious that the rouges in this affair are Polaris who promised the earth and delivered what ? The whole complex is riddled with issues and problems that have been left for the residents & community to sort out. How can this company still be trading and not liable to pay the likes of us every single penny of equity they still might have. Yes, I am aware banks pretty much own all of the toxic assets/liabilities of Polaris but what about the millions of euros the hierarchy salted away while the properties were flying off the shelf ?

From a purchasers point of view, La Isla is a disgrace. No golf course outlook. No Oasis with Arabic souk's sailing to & from over the boating lake like the glossy brochure depicted (I certainly still have one). All that is there is presently is a dried up smelly hole with dusty rubble strewn land beyond for 360 degrees around. All these non-atractions were supposed to reflect the premium price customers were paying for them. No wonder people are agrieved.

I suppose we were all a bit naive to think the whole concept of Condado was viable with 5 lakes alone on the golf course together with the massive expanse of water around La Isla having to be constantly topped up due to evaporation in one of the most arid regions of Spain. Ultimately the numerous leaks that have developed due to sub-standard workmanship & pathetic management have only made the situation worse. How the hell did the planners conceive that this was going to work. I would love to see the make up of the local area plan and sustainability report -does anyone know of one ?

I was saddened to read  Barry's golf society post that 3 of the five lakes are at this moment virtually empty and just sludge filled pond liners - disgraceful. One of the best new courses in Spain they say..............my arse , it does not qualify when water hazards become sludge hazards or you have to avoid the dead rotting fish when you go down there for your ball !!! It is always one step forward, two steps back with this place.

If there is one consolation it would have to be that as a Jardonian, within the confines of our own little patches one would have to say it is pretty much what it said it would be on the tin (comparatively). Also the collective efforts of presidents & members of community and further afield who have opened up the businesses on the resort and are providing a customer service experience that Polaris & their cahoots could never aspire to. Even though I freely admit to being appalled by ML's underhand way of disposing of somebody elected by the community to represent us just because they did not like having their feathers ruffled, I do concede they have done some good work and are light years ahed of the previous band of rougues (IRM I think they called themselves). If anyone ever tried to get any information or anything sorted under their tenure I am sure that will have found like me that it was like flogging a dead horse. It was clear as day that this was a Polaris creation, manufactured when they held all the voting rights and this outfit was only put in place to stall and fob off while the masters scampered leaving all the liabilities behind to the community.

I don't think these issues are going to go away any time soon and will in fact get worse before they get better. I am eagerly awaiting the information that needs to come to the surface from the recent events between ML and level 1 president as we need to have transparency to ensure that our resort management are acting with the utmost integrity.

It ain't going to be plain sailing...........................even if there was water .

 

This message was last edited by Billbo on 16/09/2012.

This message was last edited by Billbo on 16/09/2012.

To all the islanders, keep the faith. Our presidents have worked very hard to move forward to a resolution on the lake.
To elarado, I sympathise with your plight and with paramount about to be built you must be sh**ing yourself.

As you are not on Condado or la Isla you are not privy to the way in which discussions or even how the water will be paid for.
You have taken text from a site but not used it verbatim and added your own twist to it. I am sure a few people do not like or want the lake but the majority DO and as we live in a democracy then this is how it will be.
It sounds as though your fight is with the town council as they have passed the concent for the lake, and as you say this was granted after a period of time. Please try to vent our disgust to them not the people who are bringing in many millions of euros a year into your region of Spain.

Hi Neil & fellow islanders. I support you all the way with your fight to get what you are entitled to. I see La Isla as a fully intergrated part of Condado, even though we are not allowed access through the barriers. This particular rule (originally about exclusivity) is a bit of a joke now and I don't really see how that benefits your part of the resort. I would assume other Condado residents might want to take a wander round once for curiosity and then would probably only ever go again if visiting friends. I think the arrangement probably does more harm than good, possibly alienating some folk from the 'other side of the big fence' to sympathise/support your cause.

The lake around your properties is a vital part of the aesthetics of Condado as you approach the main gates and as such should concern everyone, not just the islanders. You are also quite justified in your calls for some shrubbery & plantations at the entrance & throughout the island which make a massive difference visually.

Your point about the money we holiday home owners bring into the local is a very valid one, and a one that is sometimes lost on the Spanish. They really need to recognise & appreciate just how much we contribute to help their broken economy avoid going the same way as Condado lakes..................right down the plug hole !

Good luck with your efforts and I hope as much as you do that you can make some headway very soon.

Regards,

I echo everything Billbo has said in his post. I am one of the earlier settlers on CDA and don't comment on this forum too often as most of the threads and commentary are pointless rubbish these days. However, on a subject as important as the lakes I will contribute.

I have tried on a number of occasions to get access to the Island to take a walk. Only managed it once and I think it is wonderful location and the original vision that Polais put forward was amazing. Back in 2007 it was entirely realistic, but today not a chance. As soon as the Oasis and the other two golf courses were scrapped, the huge lake was always going to be an issue as that amount of water with no obvious income to pay for it is untenable.

The lakes on the golf course at the moment are low, but that is not unusual at this time of year. But the main difference is that the owners of the course, IRM, will pay for the water and no doubt fully intend to recover that cost from golf users and increased tournaments now that there is a clubhouse facility. So there is a model that has income potential.

THat is probably the way forward for the lake around the Island. It looks very attractive for water sports and with the wind here, sailing and surfing would be possible not to mention fishing if the pollution issue can be sorted out. You cannot have a lake of that size and not expect to use it for leisure but I know residents on the Island will not want the noise pollution that goes with it, I am thinking of jet skis!

However, the concept of exclusivity and privacy that the residents of the Island seem to have perpetuated will work against them now. There is no way under the present arrangements that I would be willing to pay towards filling a lake that I can neither use or walk around. I never understood why genuine CDA residents were not allowed onto the Island unless visiting a property owner that could be verified by security, totally un reasonable in my view and not justified. That position is no longer tenable too along with the lake unless the Council put their hands in their pockets which will only happen if leisure purposes can be included for the general public.

The lake can be an asset to the resort but a change of attitude by many is needed to make that happen. Jon Faulkner

Excellent post Faulky.

I totally agree with your point that if the islanders want the whole community to pay for the filling and maintenance of the lake, then it has be an asset for the whole community to use and enjoy. They surely can't have it both ways, and will have to choose between 'exclusivity' and a full lake.

 

 

This message was last edited by elarado on 17/09/2012.

This message was last edited by elarado on 17/09/2012.

I think this would be a good question to ask of our new level 1 president to make sure CDA budget is not used to fill the lake??

Did I not read on this forum when we had irrigation problems that the lake will eventually be used by the whole complex for irrigation. If this is the case surely it's in everybodys interest to get it filled

I am not one to normaly responed to post on forums but I am making expection especialy to you elarado as you need to get your facts right before mouthing of.

Point 1 the lake is and was origanley to be used to irracate and water the golf course ( or 3) and water all plant and vegetation on the whloe complex.

point 2 even if we use pete the plumber, bob the builder or any other trade people, are you surgesting they only work cash in hand, and pay no taxes, or why not ask the poeple employed by ML, who tend the gardens work on the upkeep, and work in the bussiness, if they would have a job, ask the farmers in the local market if the expat comunity help, talk to the water electricy company if the expat comunity help toward there profits, unless you are one of the live of the land people who grow and tend your own food.

Point 3 if you were to speak to the few persons that live or visit regular there properties on or (exclusive) Isla, we would be happy for any one to visit,( though why any one would, wish to drive on our fab tree lined avenue that goes all lthe way around  the blocks, or try out our kidies rides, freely avalible on the other complex, our try out or 2 not 3 swiming pools with no shade, or indead come to our wooden shack club house or table tenis bouls pitch, no equipment, included, is totaly beyond me) we always go to al kazar for our entertaniment and food, but if it worrys you that much feel free to e mail me and will give you personal invite, ( once visited never to be forgotton experiance)

am

The exclusivity of the island was something that I bought into when we bought our apartment on la Isla. The going rate at that time was 130000 for a frontline penthouse on Navajos. We paid 177000 for our apartment on la Isla. The only difference is the fact of it being on the island and the exclusivity of it. I am more than happy for the outside area of the lake be used for all, I have even suggested a crazy golf area on the land to be used by us all.
The security at the front desk if they were to let anyone on this would take away our security as well as our exclusivity.

The lake is to be used as an irrigation reserve as the old irrigation pools are to be closed. This is no extra cost to anyone, and the lake will help all on CDA.

My concern would be if people wanted to come on the island and use our pools etc were would they go to the toilet etc. realistically most people will not go too far from their apartments to go to a pool. The bits of gym equipment are pretty much not used and at the moment you have a horrid stench of blue / green algae all around the lake, it's so inviting ....not.

I wouldbe happy for the lake to be used a lot more if it can ...sorry I have a jet ski and the lake is too small to use, but wind surfing or even a little boating area? Maybe.

Ultimately the lake will be filed (without cost to us all) the management of the lake will be from the use as an irrigation pool and the water will be coming from a source that the council will be happy with.

I have to say though, everyone has a right to a comment but some of the comments that are written are so inflammatory, opinionated and without foundation that this forum site has become no longer a site to receive information, but a site to bemoan everyone else just for moaning sake.

Best of luck to you all, I am more than happy to invite anyone over onto the island if you want to see for yourself (bring a gas mask)
But I shall not be bothering on this site much more.

Neil