Problems persist in Olympic Village

In August, we reported on a number of issues residents of the Olympic Village mobile home community had been experiencing in the midst of an expansion project that is set to double the number of units on the site. Residents at the time cited safety concerns, unfair pricing practices and overall issues with management leading to a deteriorating quality of life in the community. Unfortunately, according to residents we have spoken with in the last couple of weeks, management has shown little to no effort to address these issues in the three months since they were reported, and conditions have not improved. As work on the expansion project has ceased for the winter, many Olympic Village residents are left wondering if they ever will. Due to the fact that most of the residents we spoke to feared some form of reprisal for speaking out, we have chosen to keep them anonymous.

Over the past two weeks, we have spoken with a number of residents who say that very little, if anything, has been done since August to alleviate their concerns. One of the biggest issues for residents has been the removal of all of the park's street lights in early summer. At the time, the park's management insisted WPS had been responsible for the removal, and new streetlights would be installed when the expansion project was complete. The residents we spoke to did not accept this as a valid answer to their concerns and pointed out to the "dangerous situation" the lack of lighting creates each night. One stated, "If they had to take them out, that's one thing, but to leave us in the dark for over half a year? That's just ridiculous."

The residents also have issues with management's upkeep of the community. They cite a "double standard" where residents are expected to follow certain guidelines that are not followed by management for common areas. Lately, they say this has been exemplified with recent snow removals. When we visited the park two weeks ago, traversing the streets was difficult on foot due to a thick mixture of snow, slush and mud from the now-halted construction. Although plows did arrive at the park later that day, it would have been extremely difficult for any residents with a morning commute to navigate a way out.

Most of the residents we spoke to also cited concerns with the sudden and sharp rise in rent and fees for their lots. Most say their rates have "more than doubled" with one saying theirs tripled in the last three years. While management told us in August these increases reflected their efforts to "balance fair, market-aligned rates with the rising costs of maintaining and improving the park", residents claim the new rates in no way reflect area competitors, and they have yet to see any added maintenance or improvements to coincide with the price hikes. One resident says they are paying "premium prices for discount service" and adds, "They're always looking for the cheapest way to go…You don't mind putting up with some things, but this is getting ridiculous."

From all the residents we spoke to, the biggest and most frustrating problem they have with the community's management is the "complete and utter lack of communication". Management is reportedly onsite at most once a week and has not been responsive to phone calls which are often sent to a voicemail box that is full and unable to accept new messages. "You can't leave a message. And if you can, they don't return it," said one resident with others telling us about incidents where residents had made appointments to speak with management only to be stood up. This lack of communication has been exacerbated by the recent expansion project with one resident expressing their frustrations with not being provided information about the intensive construction in their backyard stating, "They don't tell you nothing…nobody knows what's going on."

Many residents expressed how much they missed the management of the park's former owner--Dave Gremore--who operated the community for over 40 years before selling it to Ventnor Avenue Housing in 2019. We spoke with Gremore to get his perspective on the matter. Gremore did not mince words about the park's current management telling us, "There is nothing they've done here that I agree with," and, "There is no excuse for what they're doing…it's just ridiculous." He continued, "I don't like the way they treated me. I don't like the way they treated Rick. I don't like the way they treated my tenants…all they care about is money." Gremore says before any actual changes can be made, management has to "change their philosophy". He also stated a belief that police calls to the park have "skyrocketed" since his tenure which he believes is a reflection on the management. One could tell he truly felt for his former tenants, and he closed our conversation by stating, "I have a hard time watching this and knowing my tenants are not being treated right."

In the interest of fairness, we once again reached out to our contact with Olympic Village's ownership firm--Caleb Morey--to get their side of the story. Unfortunately, unlike in previous instances, we were unable to get a response in time for this week's print deadline. We will report on any response they choose to send in an upcoming issue. In August, Morey told us Ventnor Avenue Housing and their contracted management firm, Schultz Communities, had "all the concerns being addressed" and assured us conditions would drastically improve when the expansion project was complete. He also promised frequent and open communication which each of the residents we spoke to say has not yet been demonstrated.

We also reached out to Village of Denmark Trustee Brandon Ackley to get a local government perspective on the issues facing the residents of Olympic Village. Ackley was surprised to find out the severity of the problems in the park and encouraged those affected to share their issues with the Village Board stating, "If any residents have issues affecting their quality of life, reach out…that's what we are here for," adding, "I only know what I know." Ackley expressed intentions to get in contact with residents and possibly add the matter to the agenda for January's board meeting. We also reached out to the Village DEOs and Public Works Department to learn about any issues with the property but did not receive responses in time for our print deadline.

While some of the residents we spoke with still remain hopeful, the majority have seemingly grown cynical these issues will ever be resolved. "The damage is done…there's no going back from this," said one with another adding, "I think it's really become untenable at this point…they just don't seem to care at all." Among changes they would like to see are more frequent visits from management, greater transparency in pricing and, most of all, better communication. However, with the number of units in the community set to double this spring, many residents fear there is "no end in sight". The Denmark News will continue to follow this story as it develops into 2026.