Community Updates
The Summit in Longleaf Ridge
We are currently erecting the steel to establish the roof of this building. Rough mechanical work will begin once the building is protected from the weather. This will be a 20,000-square-foot amenity with a 6,000-square-foot ballroom, card room, a large main pool, and a resistance pool. The estimated completion of this project is in early 2026.
Azura Fitness Center in Candler Hills
The building permit has been issued, and site work has begun. We love your interest in the project but ask that you stay outside the construction fence. This 8,000-square-foot facility will have a large pool and will be completed near the end of 2025.
Veterans Park
The shooting lane for the archery pavilion is complete. This new shade structure should make range time more enjoyable, but we cannot guarantee that it will improve your technique.
MCSO Substation
On Top of the World is working with Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) to add a new substation on the north side of SW 90th Street adjacent to the south gate in Indigo East and across from Marion County Fire Rescue Station 21. If approved by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, this new substation will benefit our communities by offering better service due to its proximity to our growing communities.
The building will house the MCSO and function as a polling precinct. A large community room will be available (subject to reservation by that office) to serve as a meeting space for community organizations.
New Wood Shop
A new, expanded wood shop building is planned for the parcel of land just north of the existing Bay Laurel Center CDD Water Plant #1. This new 8,000-square-foot building will be constructed where the Eco Gardeners Club garden is currently located, providing more space for our growing Wood Shop membership. This new building will also have separate suites and function as a general-purpose space for activities such as table tennis, ballet, and other uses.
A new, convenient location has been selected for rebuilding the current SW 99th Street Eco Gardeners’ garden. This relocation offers the added benefit of additional garden plots. Management recognizes that building up soil tilth takes a great deal of time, especially for organic gardeners. To this end, management has worked with the Eco Gardeners Club to establish clean, fertile soils. Construction on the new garden is expected to be completed by late July.
Arbor Fitness Center
The new aquatic life flooring around the indoor pool is complete. The outdoor pool resurfacing project should be complete by the time this issue of the World News comes out.
The Arbors Bocce Courts
The bocce courts were completely remodeled and updated. Improvements included new laser-leveled elevated court surfaces, Trex railing systems around all courts, durable new bocce turf, and paver brick walkways around all courts.
Expansion of Multi-Modal Paths
The addition of multi-modal paths along the west side of SW 90th Terrace Road has been submitted to Marion County for plan review and permitting. This project also includes roadway improvements, including underground utilities and pavement from the entrance at Weybourne Landing, north to SW 63rd Street, opposite the intersection with Stone Creek.
This work will also include extending the multi-modal path from Weybourne Landing, south along SW 90th Terrace Road, creating a connection to SW 80th Street crosswalk opposite the main entry gate at Candler Hills.
Candler Hills Community Center
This amenity will see landscape enhancements during the summer golf course renovation.
Irons 9
A new pitch and putt 9-hole short golf course will be constructed near SW 80th Street and SW 92nd Court Road.
Gatehouse
A new automated gatehouse will be erected along SW 92nd Court Road to replace the temporary gate at SW 80th Street. The design team has been chosen, and work has begun on the permit drawings for this project. This automated gate will include a dedicated lane for guests to interact with the virtual gate attendant and a bypass lane for resident owners.
Road Improvements
Underground utilities, including water, sewer, and data lines, are currently being installed. By the end of April, this project will become more recognizable as curbs are formed and the roadway takes shape. Please avoid transiting in this area, yes, even “sightseeing.” Use caution in the adjacent work zones. Large equipment is operating in the area. I’d be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to remind you that the workers in those very large pieces of equipment cannot see or hear golf carts or pedestrians. Don’t allow your curiosity to put yourself at risk. Please use extra caution around work areas.
We have received permission from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to move forward with the east-west SW 52 Street improvements through Calesa Township. This improvement may offer much-needed traffic relief while SW 80th Avenue and SW 38th Street are under construction by Marion County. An adjacent developer will complete SW 52nd Street from Calesa terminus to the intersection at SW 60th Avenue (including a new traffic signal). On Top of the World Communities will continue to work with Marion County and the neighboring developer to ensure this much-needed project continues to make progress in a timely manner.
FAST Membership
On Top of the World (Central) residents, this is a reminder that the Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training (FAST) membership program terminated on Friday, Feb. 28. For the masters team, membership rates, or other information, visit FloridaFast.com.
AppFolio Owner Portal
On March 1, 2024, all owners in On Top of the World (Central), Candler Hills, Indigo East, and Weybourne Landing received an email from AppFolio inviting them to set up their Owner’s Portal. AppFolio is the management company’s software that allows community service payments and service requests, among many other things. The AppFolio Owner’s Portal is secure, and you can manage your account by creating your password. If Owners have not enrolled, please ensure the Association has your current email address. You may submit your email address to associationinfo@otowfl.net with that information or stop by Resident Services to update your contact information. Once you do so, a link to your portal will be sent to that email address so owners can register their portals completely.
Owners who have set up their portals can now remit payments for Community Service Fees (or other assessments) via eCheck or credit/debit cards (AppFolio service fees apply). They may also update their bank account information to continue with the management company’s automatic debit service. Owners can also submit maintenance service requests and communicate with Resident Services, thus alleviating the need for an in-person visit.
In addition, under Florida HOA Statutes, all official records must be uploaded to a secure portal by Jan. 1, 2025. You can find all these records in the saved documents on every owner’s portal. More information about the modification submittal process for your dwelling or landscape will be available soon. Stay tuned; if you have not signed up for this valuable tool, please do so!
Winter Weather & Shrubbery
March can be a tricky month when it comes to the weather. We may have wonderfully warm days and cold nights. Do not remove seemingly damaged plants prematurely. Plants affected by the cold may surprise you with their recovery. Withhold pruning back until mid-April. There may be several more periods of cold and possible frost. Pruning at this point will spur plant growth vulnerable to the cold. Instead, wait until mid-April to consider any pruning or owner-added plantings. Central Florida generally experiences one cold snap with light frost between March 15 and Easter, so be forewarned.
When the ground temperature rises above 65 degrees, lawns and shrubbery will continue to grow, albeit very slowly. That said, watering requirements are significantly less during the cooler months.
Conservation Tip
Depending on the type of irrigation system, shaving two minutes off each irrigation run time yields 18 to 26 gallons per zone per run cycle. This can save 77 to 112 gallons per month per zone for once-per-week watering and 155 to 224 gallons per month per zone for twice-per-week watering. Overall, you can reduce your monthly water consumption depending on the time of year and specific run times for each zone, assuming seven zones. Savings can add up.
