In addition to Harriet's, the Gazebo located across from the restaurant is now in full use and the recent weddings held there have been beautiful!
Around the resort we have begun some very important projects, such as installing a new Internet system which will provide owners and guests with FREE Internet access from all rooms.
We have repaired all gutter systems on the Aurora, Bodie and Canyon buildings, which included the addition of heat tape to prevent ice buildup. A mattress replacement program is being developed,
new stair safety treads will be installed in the Aurora and Dillon buildings, and repairs to the sidewalks of the Aurora building and patios will begin soon.
Since my last Manager's Message, there are many items that have been undertaken and accomplished by our team to improve your vacation experience at David Walleys Resort. Here are just a few examples:
With the coming of the New Year, we are looking forward to some of the many changes expected around the property. A few of these changes will include the initial renovation of the spas, improvements to the spa building, and more improvement of the room’s interiors. I am sure that you will find the resort changes to be beautiful and exciting.
When you are in town or during your next visit to the resort, please join me on Wednesdays at 4:00 pm in the Stoneroom at the Restaurant
for a Meet & Greet gathering of your fellow owners. In the interim, if I can be of assistance you contact me directly by email at duanej@tradingplaces.com.
August 2011
Hello Owners!
Wow! The year is just flying by. There is so much happening at the resort; it is hard to pick a topic to start! Owners and guests are coming to the resort more and more to see the progress, and the response is overwhelmingly positive. I want to thank each of you that attended one of our manager's "meet & greet" get-togethers. In addition to meeting all of you personally, getting to know your fellow owners along with hearing your feedback and suggestions is so valuable.
One piece of very exciting news we want to share with you is that one of our team members, Tatiana Robinson, has been awarded the Crystal Jade Award by Interval Leisure Group (ILG), the parent company for Trading Places International. This is the most prestigious award a team member can earn for employee recognition within the entire ILG company, made up of more than 1,000 employees domestically and internationally! All of us at David Walley's and Trading Places International are so proud of the effort Tatiana has put into her position at the resort. I am certain you are as proud as we are. When you visit the resort in the near future, please say hello to her and congratulate Tatiana on this prestigious award.
Since my last Manager's Message, many items have been undertaken and accomplished by our team to improve your vacation experience at the resort and spa. Here are just a few examples:
- The air conditioning for the Bodie building has been restored after three years.
- The Canyon pool and spas were opened on the weekend of July 4th.
- The spa lobby renovation was completed by 1862/Summer Winds.
- 1862/Summer Winds also replaced/repaired the roof on the spa and deli buildings.
- The carpets in the hallways of the Bodie and Canyon buildings have been patched and cleaned.
- Extensive weeding has been done for the entire property.
- The 500-lb compressor was removed and a new one was installed on the roof of the Bodie building.
- Housekeeping storage has been expanded in the Bodie building.
- Annual inspections of the elevators and fire systems have been completed, with approvals received.
- Installed required safety equipment on Canyon pool and spas.
- We have responded and completed over 500 work orders and maintenance requests.
Some of the items we are working on are:
- Repairing the out-of-order units due to water damage from leaks.
- Continuing room repairs throughout property.
- Cooling system repairs in Bodie building.
- Rebuilding backflow preventer for Aurora building.
- Conducting a Reserve Study for the property.
- Rebuilding or replacement of outside BBQs.
As you can see, we have had our challenges over these last few months, with pipe breaks underground at the spa, broken plumbing in the Bodie building and emergency tile repairs on the Canyon pool. I am happy to note that even with all of these on-going challenges all buildings, pools and spas are currently working and operational. The staff has been jointly working very hard to make the necessary repairs throughout the facilities and property so owners and guests can enjoy their vacation time. Please accept my sincerest apologies for those who may have experienced any inconveniences during these challenges.
In the near future, there are many wonderful events happening in the surrounding area, such as Hot August Nights, The Great Reno Balloon Races, Reno Air Races, National Rib Cook Off and Genoa's very own Candy Dance. It is going to be a busy and exciting couple of months ahead. We look forward to seeing you and trust you will have the opportunity to enjoy one or more of these events.
When you are in town or during your next visit to the resort, please join me on Tuesdays at 3:30 pm or Saturdays at 8:00 am in the lobby for a "meet & greet" gathering of your fellow owners. In the interim, if I can be of assistance you, please contact me directly by email at duanej@tradingplaces.com.
Duane Jakob
June 2011
Hello Owners!
The weather at David Walley’s Resort has finally come around and it is absolutely beautiful here! Daytime temperatures are in the mid-80’s and the evenings are in the wonderful high 50’s. Perfect weather for relaxing and enjoying spa time.
We have been working hard in many areas to get the resort ready for your visit. Some of the things that have happened or are happening include:
- Summer Winds is remodeling the lobby of the spa building and it is almost complete. The roof on the spa building has been replaced, the outside of the spa building is being painted, and the bridge to the gazebo is being rebuilt.
- We have also created seating areas in the Bodie and Canyon buildings stairwells (perfect for reading or talking on cell phones).
- Rooms have received replacements for missing kitchen items; replacement of 7 broken couches, 7 replaced mattresses and much more!
- We are also in the process of repairing the air conditioning in the Bodie building and the opening of the Canyon pools and spas. Both projects should be complete before the end of the month.
The 1862 Restaurant is gearing up for a busy summer. They have already had several meetings and events in the gazebo area. Several weddings and receptions are scheduled for the near future, and on the 4th of July weekend there are going to be activities, a pig roast, live music and lots of specials! They have also created new menus with additional items and some lower pricing. Don’t forget the Happy Hour specials, great appetizers and super pizzas.
The manager Meet & Greet event on Tuesday afternoons at 4:00 pm has proven to be a wonderful opportunity to meet many of you. My thanks to those I have met so far, and for providing me your input, feedback and observations. The conversations have been most interesting and I truly enjoy getting to know you. Since the Meet & Greet is going so well, I have added a second meeting on Saturday mornings at 8:00 am in order to include more owners and guests that cannot make the other time. Please feel free to join me at either time to enjoy some conversation and information-sharing.
Another thing I would like to thank everyone for is taking the time to fill out our comment cards. Many of you have done so and the information is so valuable and informative. Please make note that the comment cards are now automated on the website www.davidwalleys-resort.com/commentcard. Please check it out, and I encourage you to fill it out whenever you visit the property.
If you have not been here to visit, please join me on Tuesdays or Saturdays when you are in the area, or you can also contact me directly by email at duanej@tradingplaces.com.
I look forward to being of service to you,
Duane Jakob
Here are some of the things that have been accomplished last month:
- We have replaced a number of TVs that were not working
- We have expanded the housekeeping storage areas
- Maintenance office has been relocated to the Aurora building
- Reorganized the responsibilities around the property resulting in savings to the budget
- Replaced items in the rooms
- Repaired/replaced a few garbage disposals
- Completed numerous work orders and guest requests
- Games rooms have been repainted and cleaned
- Repaired winter leak damage in some of the rooms
- Replaced screen doors in a number of the units
Some of the items we are working on are:
- Opening of the Canyon building pool and Jacuzzis
- Repairing A/C unit in Bodie building which has been out for 3 years
- Continuing room repairs throughout property
- Replacement of more mattresses and couches
- Implementing a formal safety program and inspection program
April 2011
Hello Owners!
The month of March was a very busy one as we continue to repair and improve the property for your enjoyment. In addition to the repairs, the March weather brought more snow. It was a beautiful sight to see the mountains and the valley all covered in about two feet of the white stuff. While this provides us a lot of work in cleaning up, it is still an amazing sight to see. I am sure those of you who came during this time will agree.
Throughout the month, we experienced a rough time in the spa area when a major pipe providing the hot mineral water to the pool and spas broke. As a result, the spa was forced to be closed for about 24 hours in order to remove concrete and locate the broken pipe. For those of you who came that day and were not able to use the spa, I apologize for the inconvenience. All has been repaired and the spa is functioning properly again. As a matter of fact, some other improvements have been made to the equipment to improve the operations, and I am sure you will notice a more consistent temperature in the spas.
The 1862 restaurant served a fabulous dinner of corned beef and cabbage along with some great drinks during the St. Patrick’s Day celebration. In April, they will feature an Easter Brunch, and in May there will be a Mother’s Day Brunch as well. I hope you will stop by and attend these special events. Additionally, some of the bar specials have been expanded and now you can get some of those great appetizers at times other than happy hour.
The staff at the resort has been working hard to prepare for your visit. We are excited that Tatiana will be coming back to work on April 5th. I know she is looking forward to returning to work and hearing from you as well. We have also added two new employees to our crew: J.J. Hubbard has joined our grounds crew and Rhine Dehmel has joined the maintenance department. Both have a good background and will be of great help to the resort.
Summer Winds has begun more renovations, which include additional work in the Dillon Buildings, remodeling of the spa lobby, roof replacement for the spa building, repairs to the gazebo buildings, and preparation to open the deli building.
Thank you to everyone who has attended the manager’s meet & greet reception on Tuesdays. I have enjoyed meeting so many of you and really have learned a lot from your feedback. The comments, observations, and experiences that you have shared have provided us with some great ideas as well as areas in need of improvement. And, of course, all of the positive comments on the improvements made so far have been very rewarding for the staff to hear. If you have not been here to visit, please join me on Tuesdays when you are in the area, or you can also contact me directly by email (see below).
On a final note, I had the pleasure of visiting the corporate office of our management company - Trading Places International - last month. The training was very informative, and the employees in the office were extremely welcoming and helpful. They are working tirelessly to get David Walley’s back on track, and I know you, the owners, are excited to see how our resort will progress with TPI at the helm. I learned about the different departments of the company during my short stay, and encourage you all to speak with Trading Places regarding owner questions, travel, rentals, even exchange! They are here to help you get the most out of your vacation David Walley’s ownership. Call them at 800-385-0126.
For helpful hints and the most up-to-date information about David Walley’s, check out your website at www.davidwalleys-resort.com. Make sure to visit your Owner’s Corner for important documents and information on getting the most out of your vacation week.
I look forward to being of service to you,
Duane Jakob
Resort General Manager
duanej@tradingplaces.com
Here are some of the things that were accomplished last month:
- Leaks in the roof in the Bodie building have been repaired
- Continuing our room-to-room maintenance and repair program
- Removed a large fallen tree from the cabin area
- Locker room in Bodie building has been remodeled
- Coffee service and snacks are now provided in the lobby
- Installed six new microwaves, one new refrigerator, one dishwasher and four new TVs
- Installed new TV in the lobby
- Repaired broken pipes in the spa, driveway and grounds areas
- Completed training on new computer system to help track work orders
- Repainted and cleaned game rooms
- Repaired leaking shower drains in two rooms
- Deep-cleaned 67 rooms, cleaned 31 carpets
- Expanded housekeeping linen storage
Some of the items we are working on are:
- Opening of the Canyon building pool and Jacuzzis
- Repairing out-of-order units with water damage from leaks
- Repairs of parking lot lighting
- Waterfall cleaning and repairs
- Room repairs throughout property
- Landscape improvements and spring preparations
- Cooling system repairs in both Bodie and Canyon buildings
- Additional game room repairs and new ping-pong table
- Repair of broken handrails in front of Canyon building
Please Welcome David Walley’s New General Manager - Duane Jakob!
Trading Places International is pleased to announce that Duane Jakob has been hired for the position of resort general manager for David Walley’s Resort. Duane comes to us with vast knowledge of the hospitality industry, having worked for some of the largest hotel chains in Nevada. His expertise will be a superb benefit to the resort and owners. Since his first day on the job in mid-December, Duane has been operating at 110 miles-per-hour, getting the resort in shape for the winter and maintaining the resort as it should be. The next time you’re at David Walley’s, please look for Duane and welcome him to our team of great employees.
David Walley’s will be keeping you up to date on the resort, renovations, the association, and more, with monthly manager’s reports. Please enjoy Duane’s first Manager’s Message below.
Thank you,
Richard Zimmerman
Director of Resort Operations, David Walley’s Resort
March 2011
Hello owners!
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Duane Jakob and I am your new General Manager. I am so excited to be here and be a part of your David Walley’s Resort. I have been in Reno for the past 18 years, providing hotel/casino management at such places as the Flamingo Hilton Reno, the Silver Club and the Cal Neva Resort at Lake Tahoe. Most recently, I have been involved in property management in the Reno area. I have four kids, all of whom have grown up and moved out on their own. Now, I have relocated to Genoa along with my wife, Karen, and am living only about one mile away from the resort.
I am also excited to say that Tatiana Robinson is still around, but is on maternity leave. She has given birth to a nice little boy named Charlie. Both Tatiana and baby are doing fine. We are looking forward to her return to the resort in the near future.
Summer Winds has opened the 1862 Restaurant and Saloon. It is a beautiful establishment with excellent food. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. They feature a wide variety of items on the menu, including wild game. “Happy Hour” specials are offered Monday through Thursday with special drink prices and appetizers. You can view the menus on the David Walley’s Resort website here.
Additionally, Summer Winds has been actively cleaning things around the resort: repainting the Dillon buildings, constructing a model for the new renovations, general repairs and improvements in the spa areas, adding a new water tower sign at the north entrance, renovating the lobby, and opening a sales office. This is just the beginning, with more plans ahead, including the opening of a Starbucks coffee shop in the deli area, renovation of the spa house and spa areas, renovations of the gazebo for special events, and much more!
We have also begun a manager’s “meet & greet” reception every week. I sure hope that you take time out of your vacation to stop in and say hello to me and the other resort managers at this reception. I would love to hear feedback about your stay and ideas for what you would like to see for the future at the resort. You can also contact me directly by email at duanej@tradingplaces.com.
I look forward to being of service to you.
Sincerely,
Duane Jakob
Recent Accomplishments:
- New handrails and railings have been installed around the property.
- The leaks in the roof of the Canyon building have been repaired.
- We have begun a room-to-room program for maintenance and repair.
- Vending machines have been purchased and stocked, and are in working order.
- Lobby renovations have been completed and business computers installed with free Internet.
- Concierge desk in the lobby has been established and open.
- The grounds have been cleaned and the vegetation has been pruned for the winter.
- The hallway carpeting in the Bodie and Canyon Buildings has been cleaned.
- The heating system in the Bodie building has been repaired; leaks have been fixed and recharged to prevent freezing.
- The tractor and golf carts have been repaired.
- A water main break has been repaired.
- Numerous pumps and valves have been repaired.
- Lighting throughout the property parking lots and porte cochere have been repaired
- We have replaced over 12 damaged garbage disposals and 15 TNP valves.
- Many appliances have been replaced in the units.
- All emergency exit lighting has been repaired to working order.
- Two new trees have been planted.
- Temperature controls in the Bodie building have been repaired.
- Game room has received a new ping-pong table as well as new cue sticks for the pool tables.
- Pot holes in driveway have been repaired.
In Production:
- Removal of a falling tree near the cabins
- Rebuilding the rock wall that has collapsed in front of the Canyon building
- Opening of the Canyon building pool and Jacuzzis
- Purchasing additional appliances to replace the old (non-working) ones
- Repairing out of order units
- More repairs of parking lot lighting
- Repair water main break for irrigation line
- Waterfall repairs
- Continuing normal room maintenance throughout property
- Planning for landscape improvements
- Cooling system repairs in both Bodie and Canyon buildings
- Improved reservations services and processes