Game Room will be relocated and other Board decisions

GRF BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

by Ruth Osborn

Communications Director

The GRF Board met Feb. 24 in what turned out to be a productive meeting featuring only three people at the podium and excerpts of eight letters read from the dais. Comments covered pedestrian gates, the Clubhouse 2 poolroom and residents, and a proposal to bring solar to Leisure World.

At the top of the meeting, GRF President Linda Herman announced that a proposed solar project—GRF was fast tracking it to take advantage of an expiring federal tax credit—has been suspended. The Solar Power Subcommittee will continue to explore the possibility of sun power in Leisure World to offset burgeoning electricity costs. With the time crunch removed, the subcommittee will now have time to look at every option available in deciding the best course of action for the all-electric community.

According to chair Mike Banfield, the subcommittee will work with experts to develop a comprehensive plan to cut fixed electric costs and give GRF some independence from the power grid ( for complete information, see page 4).

In other business, the board addressed policies and pinball machines among other items.

Game Room Relocation

Upon the recommendation of the Member Services Committee, the board approved the relocation of the game room in Clubhouse 2 to a recently renovated flex space room, which was formerly Wood Shop 2. The move will add distance between the loud, drop-in game room and the pool room, where players have complained that excessive noise disrupted billiards play.

The high-traffic game room is the only facility in Leisure World that welcomes non-resident guests of any age. They can play Skee-Ball, air hockey, Foosball, bumper pool, shuffleboard and arcade games. The flex room’s larger area can accommodate additional amenities, including a pinball machine, which the board approved at its meeting Feb. 24, and vending machines.

The current game room will be repurposed for card playing and poker, activities that are compatible with adjacent billiards play.

The board agreed that these changes would address user complaints, improve operational efficiency and expand recreational offerings without eliminating or displacing any existing activities.

There is no fiscal impact.

Pinball Machine

Upon the recommendation of the Member Services Committee, the board voted 9-8 to purchase a Star Wars pinball machine from OC Pinball at a cost not to exceed $8,357.50 from capital funding. The machine will be added to the game room in Clubhouse 2.

GRF Mission Statement

The board approved a new GRF mission statement.

The current statement reads: “To provide an enhanced quality of life for our active adult community of Leisure World Seal Beach.”

The new statement reads as follows: “GRF Board Purpose: To provide strategic leadership and responsible governance to support the community and its members, help ensure longterm financial sustainability, and maintain and enhance Trust properties.

“Our Commitment: To empower and support staff in delivering high-quality, responsive services, prioritizing the best interests of the community and providing transparency wherever appropriate while considering member needs and voices in all decisions and initiatives undertaken by the Golden Rain Foundation.

“GRF Staff Purpose: To serve the Leisure World Seal Beach community, the Mutuals, and their residents with professionalism, care, and respect— promoting interactions that contribute to a positive member experience.

“Our Commitment: To deliver consistent, responsive customer service that builds trust and enhances daily life for our members, while embodying integrity, collaboration, and accountability in all our work.”

Speed Cushions

The board approved a maximum of $12,100 to install speed humps on both sides of St. Andrews South and Northwood Road between Del Monte and Clubhouse 3.

The location was based on data collected from the portable radar speed signs. The board approved the project in August and requested bids, which ranged from a high of $14,700 to $11,000 submitted by MJ Jurado. The board awarded the contract to MJ Jurado, capital funding.

Roof Replacement Clubhouse 6 Upon the request of the Facilities Committee, the board voted to award a contract to Fontaine Roofing Company for the removal and replacement of the roof at Clubhouse 6 at a cost not to exceed $107,400, which includes a 10% contingency fee, reserve funding.

The leaky roof is 23 years old and is on the reserve schedule to be replaced this year. The Physical Property Department issued a Request for Proposals to seven roofing contractors. Two responded: Roofing Standards, $123,540; and Fontaine Roofing, $97,636.

GRF Policy Changes

• LW Lives: The board voted to amend GRF Policy 42-5050-1, Electronic Communications to allow Leisure World’s nonprofits that exist solely to benefit residents to send a set number of LW Lives each month. The updated policy has been posted in the resident portal ( see page 27 for complete information).

• Administration Committee Charter: The charter was finetuned to align with the committee’s goals and objectives in GRF Policy 10-1000-3. The updated policy has been posted in the resident portal.

• Copy Center Fees: The board voted to round copy prices to the nearest nickel due to a shortage of pennies with which to make change. The minting of pennies was stopped in 2025, and, as a result, GRF’s bank will no longer supply them. The final vote is pending a 28day notification to members ( see page 5-6 for the policy text).

To view the meeting in its entirety, visit www.lwsb.com and click livestream.

Mutual 1 resident Phuoc Tran plays pool in the Game Room, located in Clubhouse 2.

Katya Lukina