Friday, April 27, 2012

Opening Dates and Other FAQs




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.

10 comments:

  1. Thanks for the updates. Though not perfect, I think it is a good plan!

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  2. Will children still in diapers be allowed to go into the lap pool until the other pools open?

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  3. Unfortunately, or fortunately if you are a lap swimmer, diapers are not allowed in the Lap Pool.

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  4. It sounds like we will have lots of pool space by the time the schools close. In my experience, the pool has a few open hours during the week prior to school vacation times. In my experience (almost 30 years) use is scattered at that point in our season.
    With an enormous undertaking like this, I am grateful to all the volunteers who have made this transformation happen at Overlee. It will return to being our beloved summer space very soon--even if we have to wait a couple of weeks at the very end.
    GO OVERLEE!

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  5. If we have a hot June, the lap pool will have to function as a social pool, at least on weekends. Last Memorial Day was hot, and the pool was as crowded as I have ever seen it. Excited about the new pool and future years. This year, we will get through it.

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  6. Could you provide us with an update on construction? Maybe a weekly update as we get oh so close to summer. Thanks jim

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  8. Just checking to see if you can let us know if Dominion Power has been notified to restore the power? You mentioned that it takes about 30 days from when they get a work order before Dominion Power is able to restore power. Then I understand it will take additional time to prepare the formerly new pool (now old pool) to open.

    Thank you.

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