Archive (Page 3)

5/25/2020

Providing that Northern Virginia enters Phase 1 of re-opening on May 28th, the HRARA Board of Directors has decided that the 2020 season will begin on May 29th. The season will begin with lap swimming only and under specific protocols. Under Virginia’s Phase 1 guidelines, outdoor pools are restricted to lap swimming only with no more than one individual per lane. Members will be able to reserve a lane for a 60-minute time slot, followed by a 30-minute closure for staff to clean. A complete outline of our plan to begin the season can be viewed here. As the season progresses, we anticipate that restrictions from the Governor will loosen and we will be able to offer more recreational alternatives for our members. The safety of our members continues to be our top priority. We understand that the current restrictions may not be ideal for many of our members. We are committed to providing all of our members with the best summer experience possible, while remaining in accordance with direction and guidance that is provided by state and local authorities. It is our hope that you will all remain flexible as we work our way through this difficult time.

On May 19th, the Board of Directors met online and discussed the membership rates for the 2020 season. After much consideration it was decided that our rates will remain the same for this year. As outlined in prior messages from the board, opening the pool under any circumstances results in significant costs. We are all owners of the pool and must try to ensure that our facility is financially stable today, and for years to come. The $25 “Early Bird” discount will remain in effect through May 28th. The board has agreed to hold further discussions regarding the establishment of a discount for the 2021 season for members who join this season. Lastly, we ask that you utilize the online registration feature on our website to pay your membership. This is a much safer method for our volunteers and will reduce the amount of mail and checks that they must handle.

It has been a long and difficult spring for all of us. We are glad that we have reached this point where we are able to begin the season. We hope that you all will join us for the 2020 season and are looking forward to escaping to the pool this summer. Should you have any questions regarding the 2020 season, please contact us.

5/15/2020

The HRARA Board of Directors have been meeting online and communicating regularly to monitor the decisions being made at state and local levels with regards to the reopening of businesses and recreational facilities. The recent decision to delay re-openings in Northern Virginia until at least May 29 means that we will not be able to open on Memorial Day weekend this year. Future guidance from the state, the county, and the health department will determine when and how we will be able to open this season and although that timeline is unknown for now, we do expect to open the pool this summer and anticipate that it will be a gradual process with restrictions in place. During the past several weeks we have also been reviewing the plans of other local pools as well, and our own planning and organizing for various scenarios is underway. The Board will be meeting online again the week of May 17th to continue discussions and firm up our plan. As soon as a decision is made about dates and other aspects of opening of this season we will immediately notify all shareholders.

We will not be able to finalize our rates for the 2020 season until we are able to determine when the season will begin and what it will look like. Our management company will be prepared to have the pools ready to open. As shareholders of HRARA, it is important to recognize that we are all owners of the facility. Our dues pay for the majority of the costs associated with keeping the pool a functional part of our community. Even if we are to open late this season, we anticipate our expenditures to be approximately $130,000. This includes costs for our pool management company, operational costs (electric, water, repairs, landscaping, etc.) and administrative costs (insurance, permits, etc.). We all must ensure that funding remains at a sufficient level so that we can maintain the facility now and for years to come. As part of the discussion of our finances, the board voted to initiate a moratorium on the repurchase of shares beginning May 8, 2020. All shareholders will be notified when the moratorium is lifted.

We have also discussed and made some decisions pertaining to pool operations and social activities. We would like to allow our members to use the facilities as much as possible, and as long as it can be done safely and is permitted under the directions of state and local government. As emphasized in our prior messages, the safety of our members is our priority. For this reason, guest passes and deck reservations will be suspended until further notice. We have also decided to suspend all of our regular social activities until we are able to ensure that they can be done safely. We all hope that things will improve as we move through summer, but until then we felt that these steps were necessary. Additionally, the Northern Virginia Swimming League (NVSL) announced this past week that they are cancelling the 2020 season. We will all be ready to cheer on our Hurricanes in 2021!

We will continue to communicate decisions and information to all of you as we approach the start of summer. Information about the Pandemic Assistance Program will be forthcoming. This program is designed to provide some financial relief to our members that have been impacted by the pandemic. We again ask that you all remain understanding of this unprecedented and difficult situation. We are all working to try and create the best possible season under the circumstances. We remain positive about the 2020 season and hope that you are all looking forward to going to the pool as much as we are.

June 8, 2020

The Board of Directors of the Holmes Run Acres Recreation Association (HRARA) has decided to establish a modest Shareholder Pandemic Assistance Fund to support those members of our pool community who may be facing some financial distress due to the consequences of Covid-19. This fund will be financed by voluntary donations from shareholders of HRARA and financial assistance will be distributed to shareholders of good standing for the 2019 year who are in need of financial help. The Fund will be overseen with discretion by three members of the BOD. Any assistance available will be contingent on the amount of funds donated by other shareholders. The Fund will remain in existence through the 2020 year, ending in September 2020, whereupon the BOD will decide on whether it is necessary to continue it.

If the fund is discontinued, any remaining funds will be turned over to help finance pool operations. If you are interested in contributing to the Shareholder Pandemic Assistance Fund, please provide a donation here: