More than 72 percent of the members of the Lochmere Homeowners' Association voted in favor of a referendum that proposes buying the privately-held Lochmere Swim and Tennis Club facilities, which have faced declining attendance in recent years.

More than 80 percent of the association's members - about 1,600 individuals in all - participated in the vote, which ended July 20.

The approval means that homeowners may face a dues increase of up to $260 per household, which will be used to pay for the acquisition.

The swim and tennis facilities, made up of three pools, 10 tennis courts and two volleyball courts, are currently 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 wanted 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.

Through a special agreement with Wachovia Bank, the facilities will remain open through the end of the summer.

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

The association's board has advocated for saving the facilities, which it says will keep property values consistent and provide a needed amenity to the community.

Not everybody has been in favor of the purchase.

Some residents, including many empty-nesters or seniors living on fixed incomes, have said they do not use the swimming pools and will be unable to afford a dues hike.

The referendum needed two-thirds of the vote to pass.

There are still several steps to take before homeowners can take charge of the facilities, according to Jim Davis, who is on the association's board.

Wachovia must take possession of the property.

The homeowners' association must then broker a deal with the bank to purchase the property at an agreeable price.

After the association closes the deal, it must develop an operating structure and system of governance to oversee the everyday use of the facilities.