Q: When will Overlee open? A: We project early June for the lap pool and bath house, perhaps two weeks later for the main pool (which will include main, social and baby pool, volleyball court, deck and two of the 3 terraces -- the topmost deck will be part of the clubhouse construction zone.) If we can open the pools earlier, by Memorial Day, we will. However, we think that is doubtful now. We need Dominion Power to restore the power -- they tell us that it takes about 30 days from when they get a work order to restore power, and we hope to get that work order this week – April 30 or May 1.
The Clubhouse will not open during the season. The permit process and the design changes (to bring the project back within budget) have just taken too long. We need members to volunteer to develop work-arounds for the social season. We are thinking that tailgates, food vendor trucks, etc., might make some social events feasible. There will be a board contact coordinating this committee, but the committee will need member volunteers. Contact social chair Liz Shipley to volunteer.
Q: What needs to happen before we can open?
A: The lap pool is full, but the new pumps and filters are not running yet. We will pour the new concrete deck in two weeks, and we will put the white-coat of plaster on the new pools as soon as we have power. We need power to run the filters, the lights, the phones. Once we have power, we can do opening cleaning and set-up. Every year, we need an inspection from the county in order to open, and this year is no different. The County has already contacted us to begin our inspections for "phased openings," so we are confident they will work with us, as promised, to allow phased opening as described.
Q: How are we doing against the budget for this project?
A: We are doing pretty well. There were minor increased costs for hauling additional soil away, for improved dive boards, for slightly nicer light fixtures and poles, for changes such as an additional fence to enclose the pump house steps. We were not able to eliminate a storm water system in the lower parking lot. But, the additional costs are well within the reserve we'd maintained.
Q: How can we gear up for the season when we don’t have a facility for meetings or trainings?
A: We have hired staff and lifeguard training is being run at Lee Graham pool. We have had swim team parent meetings and board meetings at Yorktown high, and swim and dive teams will have pre-season practices there as well. We are working through new rules for the new spaces.
Q: What are the new rules?
A: We are trying to anticipate new operational rules for the new space. We know there will likely be changes in our policies during the season too, as we adjust to the new space and decide what does and doesn't work. We are a community association of 800 families, and the Board tries to accommodate all of the diverse voices of our membership.
