tbpoa history & beginnings

Tugaloo Bay was developed in 1972/73.  It was divided into lots to be sold as a Restrictive Covenants Subdivision with a clubhouse, swimming pool, and tennis court.

A Property Owners Association (Association) was formed.  Membership was mandatory for each property owner.

The bank foreclosed on the developer in 1979.  All lots that had not been sold were to be auctioned off. The common areas (Association property) were to be sold also.

The Association, at that point in time, asked the bank if the Association could purchase the common property where the clubhouse and other amenities are located. The bank agreed, if some of the property owners would co-sign the note to guarantee payment of the loan.  Several members of the Association agreed to sign the note. The note was paid off—we owe a huge thanks to those individuals who took a financial risk to guarantee payment of the loan.

In 1998/99, the Association had the opportunity to connect to the City of Lavonia water system. The State of Georgia was paying to install city water to the former Georgia Welcome Center by bringing the water line under I-85 to our side of the interstate.  The owner of our water system met with the Association.  He told the Association that he would pay half of the $25,000 cost, if the Association would pay the other half. The Association raised the money with proceeds from a huge yard sale and additional donations from the members of the Association.

Eventually, many repairs and updates were needed to maintain the subdivision’s common areas and amenities. And, again, the members of the Association went into action.

The subdivision roads needed repairs, so the Association asked Hart County what the Association would have to do in order for the county to maintain the roads.  The Association was informed that they would have to repair all the pot holes and other road damage, prepare the roads for paving, and deed the right-of-way of the subdivision roads.  The Association, again, did what was necessary to get this accomplished. The Tugaloo Bay subdivision now has county-maintained roads.

The swimming pool was in need of major repair and the insurance company would not insure the clubhouse building and common area property until the Association filled the pool in with dirt, which was done. Instead, we now have a beautiful rose garden.

The tennis court needed to be resurfaced, but the price was prohibitive and the courts were rarely used by the property owners. What seemed to be a better use of the space was to install a wider gate and re-purpose the courts as a boat/trailer storage area for use by the Association members.

The clubhouse was in dire need of renovating. And, over the past few years, the Association has been doing just that. Thanks to a lot of hard-working members, we now have a beautiful clubhouse in which to conduct the quarterly business meetings, covered-dish luncheons, and other gatherings. The kitchen area was updated with tile floors, oven, cooktop, refrigerator, microwave oven, and new kitchen cabinets. Most of the materials and labor were donated by members of the Association.

The clubhouse is so inviting, in fact, that Association is proud to offer the use of the clubhouse to our members and the community-at-large for a small donation to cover the operating expenses.

The Association is committed to maintaining a serene lake-living environment within the subdivision and surrounding area. Recently, residents of the subdivision and members of the Association were among the vocal individuals protecting our community by halting the building of a potentially hazardous industry to be located near our subdivision and the shores of beautiful Lake Hartwell.

Although membership is no longer mandatory, you get the picture—we have a wonderful group of dedicated members who have worked diligently to get a lot of things done for the betterment of the Tugaloo Bay subdivision and local community.

There are still things to be done, and if you are not already a member, we encourage you to join the Association. Your dues, your voice, and your participation help to maintain Tugaloo Bay subdivision as A Great Place to Live and Play.