Valley man fights for clubhouse access

A Valley man says a simple door stands in the way of him being able to live a better life. Steven Sams contacted us because he needs an automatic door at his community clubhouse, but management refused.

“Without someone to hold the door open you can’t get in,” explains Sams.

Sams first moved into the Canyon Mobile Home Community in Cathedral City in 2011. A few months later, an illness left him unable to walk more than a few feet at a time. Now, he relies mostly on his electric scooter to get around.

“I’d love to be able to play billiards, and bingo night is a really good night to get to know the rest of the community,” said Sams.

However, Sams says he can’t because of the doors to the clubhouse. While in his scooter, he says, he can’t get through the door before it closes. If there is no one there to hold it open, Sams can’t get access the clubhouse and swimming pool.

“I can’t use the swimming pool to strengthen my legs so I might be able to walk again without the chair,” said Sams. That’s why he’s asked management to install an automatic door on one of the entrances to the building.

“I got a phone call back saying they’d reviewed it and didn’t think it was necessary,” said Sams.

Sams even offered to pay for the $7,000 project himself.

“I’ve got the check already written I mean it’s just, I’m just don’t understand why it is so important to them to not let me do it,” said Sams.

We contacted the community’s management and got referred to the corporate office, Hillsboro Properties. They have yet to return our call.

“It makes me feel like he wants me out of here, like he would rather no deal with me and have me gone, but because I own the house and not the property I don’t have a say in anything around here.

We are going to continue to follow this story, and keep you posted of what progress if any has happened.

Let us take a stand for you. Email us at standsforyou@cbslocal2.com or call the CBS Local 2 news tip line at 1-866 530 NEWS.