The Timbers Policies

We have outlined several issues we believe will assist in the enjoyment of your visit to The Timbers on Pender Island. All guests must read and understand the rules and procedures regarding garbage, pool, boat, pets and housekeeping expectations and will be required to sign a "Guest Acknowledgement & Consent Form" confirming that they agree to abide by the rules and follow the procedures noted.

Water:
We have a plentiful supply of well water but not a surplus. Please do not run water in the sink or shower when you are not storing or using it for it's intended purpose. If you run out of water, everyone will be out of water. Please apply good common sense and there should be no problem.

Pool Rules:
There are specific rules and courtesies that are necessary to ensure that everyone using the pool has a pleasant time.

After you have agreed to these rules by signing the Guest. Acknowledgement section of this document, you may use the pool at any time.

We are not always in residence and often are in Vancouver during the week. We are prepared to permit our guests to open and close the pool in our absence by prior agreement. We must demonstrate the proper operation of the cover and the pump equipment before you begin to open and close the pool in our absence.

Absolutely no glass is allowed within the pool enclosure. Plastic and acrylic glasses are provided for you in your cottage.

Absolutely no running is allowed, and improper behavior that may endanger yourself, your family or others is not accepted. As owners, we reserve the right to restrict or refuse access to the pool if a guest behaves inappropriately.

As guests, an adult must always remain present if any of your children under the age of 17 are using the pool. You may not temporarily leave the pool area, even if for a short duration.

If Diane or I are not present, and you are the last adult to leave the pool area, the pool cover must be fastened and the key replaced on the hook out of the reach of children.

When you leave the pool for the day, we request that you take all of your property with you. A garbage container is provided at the pool for discarding empty beverage containers. Please take all other garbage back to your cottage for disposal in the appropriate containers.

We have not attempted to provide “pool towels” nor do we offer laundry services. Please ensure that your wet towels are hung up to dry in the sun or on your patio. We have installed a clothes line across the length of the pool to hang up wet bathing suits and towels for drying between uses of the pool.

We have provided a toilet at the pool in the change room. Please do not deposit foreign objects in the toilet as this is a septic tank operation and only post human consumption can be flushed down the toilet.

After it has rained and water has accumulated on the surface of the pool cover, the water must be removed before the cover is opened. Failure to observe this procedure can result in damage to the proper operation of the pool cover and upsets the chemical balance of the pool water. We will be glad to give you instructions and show you how the water can be removed.

Garbage:
Garbage collection fees on Pender Island are approximately $9.00 per garbage bag. We have chosen to sort garbage into types for disposal locally, avoiding the collection fee and at the same time, protecting the environment.

Garbage must be sorted into types for disposal and we have placed two separate garbage containers outside each cottage. Please place combustibles (paper, plastic wrapping, packaging material, etc.) into one container and tin cans and glass into another (you may wish to wash them first in the dishwasher). Wet compostables are to be collected into the ice cream bucket by each sink. Please feed the contents of this bucket to our chickens. They love all food scraps you do not eat.

There is a recycling depot on the island and we attempt to recycle whenever possible. Combustibles must be saved until October when burning is permitted.

Neither Diane nor I desire to sort through your garbage so please take the time to sort when discarding.

Laundry:
We have installed a washer and dryer for your use in the cabana enclosure at the pool. Please supply your own laundry detergent.

Laundry facilities are also available at Port Browning (at the marina) 629-3493, Driftwood Centre, Poets Cove Seaside Resort 629-3212 and Otter Bay Marina 629-3579.

Propane:
We have attempted to offer a full propane bottle for your enjoyment at your cottage. If for any reason you run out of propane, Pender Island Lumber, 629-3455, is the only place you can fill your propane bottle on the island.

We may have an additional bottle at the house (no promises) that you may exchange for your empty one. If you have to fill your own bottle at the lumber yard, it is a beautiful drive past Hope Bay!

Telephone:
We have recently installed a new phone system in all 5 cottages as well as in the swimming pool and activity center. All of these locations may be reached at: 629-6272 and then pressing the appropriate number that corresponds to the cottage you are trying to reach. You must know the name of your cottage to give the correct number to your family and friends.

Alder = 1
Birch = 2
Cedar = 3
Drying Shed = 4
Hemlock = 5
Maple = 6
Swimming Pool = 7

This phone system also permits calls between cottages using an intercom system. There are 2 lines available for outgoing calls. To make a long distance call, dial: 1-800-555-1111 and then follow the instructions.

Diane and I can be reached at 629-6507. We have a fax machine that you are welcome to use, 629-6522. In Vancouver, our residence number is (604) 732-4523, and office (604) 207-4050.

Boat:
For your enjoyment we have provided a 14-foot aluminum boat with a 15 horsepower motor. This boat is for the use of our guests. Please cooperate and use it only for a portion of the day so others can enjoy it as well.

In order to start the boat you require a “kill” switch (a curly cord with a key on the end of it) which should be placed in the cabinet where the life jackets are after every use. This cord should be attached to the operator of the motor so that if he/she falls out of the boat the motor will immediately stop i.e. the “kill” switch!

We are not charging a rental fee for the use of the boat but request that after every use (within reason) you stop by the Poets Cove Seaside Resort and fill the fuel tank and ensure that there is a spare outboard motor oil (50:1) container in the boat.

The motor uses regular fuel and there is an oil reservoir in the engine compartment where the motor automatically mixes the correct ratio of fuel and oil. As a guest, you are responsible for ensuring that the oil reservoir is full prior to use as damage may occur if the engine runs out of oil.

If you did not bring your own life jackets, we have a selection in the cabinet at the end of the wharf. The life jackets should be hung up on the hooks in the cabinet after each use. Please do not get the life jackets wet or use them for swimming, etc.

Always make sure that the boat is locked on the dock using the cables supplied. You are responsible for the boat when it is in your custody. If you damage or destroy the boat, you will be requested to repair or replace it.

Pets:
With prior permission, your dog or cat is welcome at The Timbers, however, there are basic ground rules that apply. Most of these rules are just plain common sense; some have evolved from lessons learned the hard way.

Many veterinarians consider British Columbia, Washington State and Oregon, and particularly their coastal areas, the "Flea Capital of the World". Hence this rule, which allows NO EXCEPTIONS: cats and dogs must be on Program, Advantage or other recognized anti-flea medication for at least two weeks prior to the beginning of their stay at The Timbers. Pet owners must accept complete responsibility for the cost of remedying any damage their animal causes, including flea eradication.

All pets must be completely housebroken and well past the chewing and clawing stages of their lives. Sorry, PUPPIES cannot be accommodated under any circumstances.

Cat owners must provide a litter box and discourage their cats from using flower beds for that purpose (please clean up if you catch your cat cheating). Contents of litter boxes must be sealed into garbage bags and removed from the property upon departure.

Male cats must be neutered; the odour of cat spray is next to impossible to eliminate.

Dog owners must remove "used dog food" from landscaped areas immediately. If your dog digs holes, scratches doors or causes any indoor or outdoor damage, repair is your responsibility. Dogs must be discouraged from chasing any of the animals or local wildlife and cats from chasing birds.

The Timbers operates a farm on the property, containing sheep, chickens and horses. If your pet interferes with any of the operations of our farm, you will be asked to remove your pet immediately.

Rinse down dirty (and especially fishy-smelling) animals and keep wet animals outside until they are dry.

Pet owners must bring a travel cage as animals must not be left to roam free inside or outside when their owners are not nearby. Experienced pet owners will understand that even the best-trained animal can become confused, disoriented or even frightened of abandonment when left alone in a strange place, and that can result in completely out of character behavior.

If your dog or cat sheds significantly, sweep or vacuum through the house and furniture before you leave, and please make a last-minute check for tracked mud, hairballs or other "presents". Pets are not permitted to climb on top of any of the furniture.

ALL guests who choose to bring a pet to the property MUST provide a $400 damage deposit.

Mice and Rodents:
You are located in a forest and forests contain numerous rodents and mice (among other animals). They are all attracted to the warmth of your cottage and if you leave your door open they will enter and make themselves comfortable.

Rodents are also attracted to any food remains that may have fallen on the floor or under the sink. Please ensure that you always cover your garbage container and after your pet has eaten, you take their food and place it in your fridge.

Mouse traps will not get rid of the mice since there are too many in the forest. Only proper hygiene and the cleanliness of your cottage will keep them away from your cottage interior. Please keep your doors and screens closed and do not give them a reason to want to enter your cottage. The mice are small and are not dangerous. They are more afraid of you than you are of them.

If a mouse takes up residence in your cottage please bring the matter to our attention immediately and we will provide you with traps to place under the sinks where they all seem to end up.

Housekeeping Expectations:
All used towels are to be left in the bathtub on departure day.

Shower curtains are to be left extended in order to dry prior to cleaning.

All dishes, glasses, pots and pans and cutlery are to be washed and replaced in the cupboards (not left in the dishwasher).

All food is to be removed from the cupboards, drawers and fridge.

All garbage is placed outside in the appropriate cans, extra large bags are provided in your cottage.

Food spills on cupboards must be wiped off using the cleaner provided.

Floors have been swept and/or vacuumed.

Obvious hand marks and smudges on windows are cleaned (cleaner provided).

All drawers, closets, beds are to be checked for personal items.

Outside perimeter of unit checked for personal items. If a large quantity of shells or rocks have been collected by your children and you have chosen not to take them home please return them to the beach (they ruin lawnmowers!).

All furniture is to be replaced back in the original location.

We expect you to leave your cottage in substantially the same condition it was provided to you in.

We do not accept crayons, dirty ovens, dirty dishes, pet hair, garbage under the sink and dirty appliances as normal cleaning.

If you have any questions as to what is acceptable, just remember the way the cottage was left for you.

We will wash all the linen and towels and we do disinfect the bathrooms and under the sinks.

Option To Pay:
If you would like us to perform additional cleaning on your behalf on your departure day, please give us as much notice as possible as we will attempt to schedule the required staff to assist us.

Common sense must apply but excessive cleaning is not the understanding and will not be performed without an additional charge. Our housekeeper will complete a cleaning report upon the conclusion of your stay.

Check In - Check Out:
We have an extremely limited amount of time to prepare for our new guests with the same standard of cleanliness and preparation that you observed on check in.

Please vacate your cottage by 9:00am on departure day so that we may prepare the cottage for the next guests to arrive.

You are welcome to remain on the property, use the boat and stay at the pool as long as you want prior to your ferry departure. You may choose to barbeque your lunch at the gazebo (hot dogs or hamburgers?).