That is only your opinion. Neither of us know what the desires of the overall association are, and I'm sure every member has a different definition of "community prosperity."

the 'group' is seriously considering coughing-up another million-plus for a slab of land that (they say) will be repurposed and turned into a BIG stormwater drainage DITCH;

It would not turn into a big drainage ditch. Why exaggerate?

with retirement incomes and investments that can more than handle the steadily increasing costs associated with maintaining a multi-million-dollar restaurant (forget the term Yacht Club); a 18-hole championship golf course; a sparsely populated indoor pool, etc., that, in concert, are costing us a million-plus each and every year.

Such is the risk associated with buying property in an HOA. Those at or near the limit of their available income should seriously consider not purchasing in an HOA. All things considered, OPA fees are not that high. What we have now is the current association members are getting the bill to rebuild a 40-year-old HOA. Those before us, and those for 20 or so years after us are on the long end of the stick. It just happens we are now on the short end.