Pools this Memorial Day weekend

We went a couple of times over the long weekend and we had a great time - the water was wonderful. As expected, the kids were having fun and being kids. However, we noticed kids running all over the place and the lifeguards were completely silent and non-responsive. In the past they've blown whistles and reminded kids not to run at the pool, but each time we were there we heard nothing from them.

 

Could you tell me what pool you were at? I was at different pools all weekend long and was surprised at how much the whistle was being used this year. Then again I can not be everywhere so I know there are things I am not seeing. If you could send me a PM with details of your experience I will be happy to follow up.

Staci

 

I took the kids on Monday we had to wait for 20 minutes to enter because the SW Pool was at capacity. Many teens avoided the desk and just pranced in before us, the guards were clueless. Once we got in there were no chairs we sat on the concrete. Several teens climbed the fence to avoid waiting in the capacity line. After we were there for an hour the pool was closed due to vomit. Nice, very nice. Great idea to sell outside memberships. The pool fiasco is a good example of a greedy poorly run HOA. Can't wait to write my two HOA checks this month.

:eww:

 

wow- pool crowded on opening memorial weekend, what a shock. what did you expect?

you think ppl who live here have "too much class" to behave as you described above? WRONG. while i think the majority of ppl i know`in this neighborhood are great, i see residents here behave far worse. guests typically respect their hosts for fear of losing privileges- it's residents who tend to act up b/c of a sense of entitlement.

you should thank the "greedy" hoa that keeps our fees reasonable, offers multiple free events throughout the year, and makes the tough decisons for budgets, maintenance, etc. so you don't have to.

go to some of the other neighborhood pools-- better- yet- algonkian- and see if you can blame a "greedy" hoa for individual poor manners and lack of parental supervision.

 

Flynnibus,

Based on your figures; "Everyone wants to blame outside members and forget they live in a community with over 3000 homes - which are filled with people that JUST MIGHT want to goto the pool the same time as you". --- Why in the world would the HOA sell additional memberships?

And by the way, IRREGARDLESS is not a word.

 

Personally I am all for this. We use the pool very little and would rather see the revenue from outside memberships result in lower HOA fees for us. Granted the peak times may be exaggerated some due to outside members, but the normal days are fine and I think well worth it financially. I'd be curious just how much of an impact our HOA fees would see if there weren't outside memberships.

 

i almost never use the pool- public pools skeeve me out. but my son and husband do, at non peak times usually to cut down on the unruly 5 yr old and below annoyance and big crowds.

the pools aren't always packed, and arent there some restrictions on outside memerships?

 

Last year, the only time I remember the pools closed because of capacity was Memorial Day weekend. At that point, I think this same conversation was had here in the forums and the HOA said that they would evaluate the outside passes if capacity became a recurring problem. I was, however, surprised to see an old neighbor at the pool last summer who told me she had borrowed a pass from a friend so she could come to the Broadlands pool for free because she didn't like the ones from her neighborhood.

 

Way out of bounds and off the mark. Have you VOLUNTEERED your time to help out in the community or serve on the HOA?

Constructive criticism is always welcome, but this is just nonsense. We use the pools all the time and, except for Memorial Day, haven't ever run into issues with capacity. On most weekdays throughout the summer, we are surprised at how FEW people are at the larger SW pool. On the weekends, it can be crowded, but that's to be expected.

And yes, I do think the teenage lifeguards could use additional training in maintaining order. Having some older, more experienced supervision on weekends would be helpful.

 

Just for the record... 115 outside memberships have been sold so far this year resulting in $46,000 of additional income which is earmarked for improvements to the pool which would otherwise have to come from general income and reserves which are funded monthly assessments.

 

Wow! $46,000 for 115 memberships! How much do those things run?

OK - so mostly this is for my hundredth post.

 

Um, $400 maybe? The way I see it is that's $15 that each house doesn't have to pay (assuming the 3000 homes in Broadlands number is accurate). Paying $15 less per year in HOA fees is worth one over-crowded weekend a year (Memorial Day) from having the outside memberships. Also if you consider the number of outside memberships is under 4% of the total memberships then it would be a stretch to say they are a noticeable cause to any problems.

 

Ahhhhh - math - tricky. It just seems like a lot to me. But then again, I'm used to having it absorbed in HOA fees so I don't see it.

 

Just wanted to chime in and say we think the pools are great! Right now the water is still a bit chilly still for my personal liking but the kids loved it anyway. Went to the Community Center pool on Saturday and were the only ones there besides the lifeguards and went again yesterday (Monday) and there were only 2 other kids there when we were there in the afternoon. I guess everyone was the SW pool enjoying the bigger pool with the slide & diving board? (maybe the water is warmer there???)

I think the only negative comment I'd make is that last year we really had high hopes that the new card/computer/scanning system was going to work out better than past years but it still seemed like people would breeze right by the person manning the check in desk and not even sure if any cards were scanned or merely put into that little plastic index card box? I do wish something better could be done about this to be sure that all bodies entering the pool area present a valid card?

Additionally, we also saw some folks we know moved out of Broadlands coming to the pool a few times (maybe they bought an outside pass? maybe not?) We hope the $ put into this system will work out better this year or maybe it is more an issue of the people manning the desk? Is it feasible to keep at least 1 person manning the desk at all times with better control over this? Curious, is there an adult supervisor that works the pools?

Also, in reference to an earlier post...I think anyone jumping over pool fences should immediately have their pool pass taken away for the season. ZERO tolerance! That is totally unacceptable.

Anyway, thanks to the HOA for doing a nice job with the pools so far.

 

out of curiosity, is there a rule againts bringing your own outdoor folding beach chair to the pools...?

 

I want to clear up a few items here
1) The pool last year hit capacity at all 3 pools for 45 on opening weekend that was it.
This year while Southern walk hit capacity for about 2 hours Community center and Summerbrooke while full never hit capacity. (that is the information I have as of right now)
2) Outside memberships are sold each year based on the average bather load for the whole summer not just 1 day. Last years average bather load was less then 30% of capacity for the months of June and July and if you average in august it drops to 22%
So while we do hit capacity it is not a regular thing. The money that we have received from the outside memberships goes to pool improvements and a reduction of our fees. The first $30,000 goes towards the general fund and the rest goes to pool improvement. So in case anyone wants to know the outside memberships have bought the canopies at the pools, the slide the diving board, all the new furniture, the new umbrellas and allowed us to upgrade the floor of Summerbrook pool to get rid of the small cracks that were cutting toes.
3)I have talked to all gate guards and Managers and no one is allowed into the pool with out a pass. That includes any one just walking up to drop something off to there kids or picking someone up. Everyone must have a pass or be a registered guest to be on the pool deck. Additionally anyone who is found to hop the fence will be removed from the pool for the remainder of the summer. I have given authority to have them physically removed by security if need be and anyone who invites someone in over the fence as their guest will also have their privileges suspended. Anyone who witness someone coming in over a fence and sees nothing being done should contact me at once. You can find my phone number and email on the HOA website.
4) We have changed to a new pool company this year with many older guards then the past few years. Things are changing while somethings may look like the same thing all over again there will be a time for transition. I am hopeful that this weekend was all the transition time that was needed and from here on things will run much smoother.
5) The CDC changed their regulations for pool closures this year. If someone vomits or has a loose bowel movement the pool will be cleared, the area will be cleaned the pool shocked and then 30 min after the shocking people will be allowed back into the pool.Though it is only a 30 min closing it may result in up to an hour until the area is fully cleaned and shocked. 30 min does not start from when the whistle is blown. A solid bowel movement will result in cleaning that area but no closure.
Anyone who has any concerns or opinions please feel free to PM me here or get my email or phone number form the website and giving me a call

Staci