Condo boards can increase resident satisfaction with improved spring amenity maintenance. In this blog we explain how a proactive strategy improves operational excellence and increases community happiness.

Use data to predict spring schedules

Tracking seasonal shifts can help trigger exterior maintenance calendars. Anticipating the best time to conduct spring exterior work based on new benchmarks helps residents take advantage of warming springs and shorter winters. It also:

• Helps reduce the risks of reactive repairs discovered later in the spring that extend closures into the early summer
• Secures labour before contractors are booked up in the warmer weather
• Helps lower material costs before demand increases
• Minimizes disruptions and downtime during peak amenity season

Shift to mid-season/late winter inspections

Inspecting outdoor areas during late winter thaws keeps you one step ahead of maintenance schedules. You can make repairs earlier, such as damaged surfaces, railings and guards, and equipment such as furniture or BBQs, to avoid extended amenity closures.

Some tasks that keep you ahead of shared amenity openings include:

• Conduct end-of-season assessments to identify spring maintenance needs, such as inspecting outdoor furniture and BBQs before they go into storage
• Perform intermittent checks to look for issues caused by high winds or heavy snowfalls
• Follow landscaping best practices throughout the winter to keep an eye on possible issues such as drainage, unsafe decking, etc.
• Use resident complaints to create a checklist of repairs/improvements and help prioritize work orders

Future-proof amenities

While earlier interventions and inspections help improve usability and safety, upgrades should help future-proof amenities.

For example, rising temperatures and longer heat waves make sun exposure on rooftop patios uncomfortable. Residents are less likely to use the space if they can’t find relief from the heat. How can outdoor spaces keep up with climate change? Some ideas might include:

• Installing retractable awnings
• Adding more trees to provide natural shade
• Louvred roofing installations that allow residents to control sun exposure
• Pergolas
  • Shade sails/umbrellas

Does the budget allow for a pergola or secure installation of awnings? How can you include these upgrades in your capital planning? What improvements are most likely to increase property value and amenity use?

Longer summers and warmer autumns extend outdoor amenity use. Consider how you can make the patio more inviting, such as:

• Do safety regulations/insurance policies allow you to use patio heaters and fire tables?
• How do such upgrades impact fire code compliance and insurance?
• How do such upgrades impact the condo’s governing documents and amenity usage rules?

Update residents on amenity openings

Keeping residents informed of your maintenance schedule and upgrades can also reduce disappointment. Include updates in the newsletter and on social media, highlighting the following information:

• Scheduled maintenance requiring amenity downtime
• Scheduled opening dates and new hours if applicable
• Reminder about basic rules of outdoor amenity use
• Upgrades that will improve outdoor space use
• Updates regarding delayed or expedited openings
• Links to booking forms for amenities such as BBQs

Condo boards can also consider planning a “launch” party to kick off the season and create a sense of community.

Spring amenity maintenance is not just about protecting assets. Condo boards need to consider how to improve long-term value and amenity usability with a strategy that also minimizes costs. With a more proactive, future-proofing approach, you can achieve savings and improve resident satisfaction.

The condo experts at CPO Management Inc, property management company in Toronto and the GTA, can help your board of directors create an effective spring amenity plan and build a better condo community. Reach out to us today to learn more about our condo services.