Homeowners in the subdivision can vote in a referendum this summer that proposes buying the privately-held Lochmere Swim and Tennis Club facilities, which have faced declining attendance in a troubled economy.

"We believe this is a good thing for the community," said Jim Davis, who is on the association's board. "Everybody goes to a different school or church. But this is a place where everybody knows each other."

The swim and tennis facilities, made up of three pools, 10 tennis courts and two volleyball courts, are run by the privately-owned Lochmere Swim and Tennis Club, a group that has sought financial assistance from the association on and off for the past decade.

As membership declined, the group closed the pool located in the Lochmere Highlands subdivision last year.

Residents who want to use the facilities have had to pay an extra fee - up to $1,000 for a first-year membership, a costly expense for some families.

The pools and courts have about 400 members right now.

There are about 2,000 members in the homeowners' association.

In recent months, the club went into default, leaving Wachovia Bank in charge. Through a special agreement with the bank, the facilities will remain open through the end of the summer.

Beyond that, the association's members must decide whether or not to take up the spaces as their own.

The swim and tennis facilities have been part of the Lochmere community for more than 25 years.

The association's board is in favor of saving the facilities, which they say will keep property values consistent and provide a needed amenity to the community.

The board voted to move forward with the acquisition proposal in January.

But that will mean voting to raise all homeowners' dues - not for just the folks who use the facilities - by $260, to a total of $578 a year.

"As we have framed it for the community, for $260 extra we can secure this as a lasting part of Lochmere and everybody will have access to it," Davis said.

Barbara Archer, who has lived in Lochmere for two years is a member of the club.

She's for the purchase. But she knows that plenty of neighbors have no desire to go to the swimming pool.

"I can see both sides," she said.

She hopes the inclusion of the club in homeowners' dues will be an attractive perk to potential buyers. "My question is - I wonder what other dues are in other neighborhoods," Archer said.

The association included a report on its Web site, including fees from nearby neighborhoods.

If the measure passes, there would be no additional membership fee to use the amenities.

It's possible the association will look into adopting a tiered pricing system related to usage in the future, Davis said.

But right now, the board is focused on keeping the spaces open past this summer.

That means rolling out with a uniform dues increase.

The proposal needs two-thirds of the vote to pass.

Ballots will be sent in June and are due back July 20.

For more information, visit strongerlochmere.com.