- April 23, 2024
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Florida has been in Phase 2 of reopening for nearly a week, but the consensus on how and when to reopen amenities such as community pools and amenities still is mixed.
For some West Orange-area neighborhoods — such as Summerport, Waterleigh, Watermark, Orchard Hills and Orchard Park — community amenities reopened last month for the first time since they were closed in early March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, others, including some apartment complexes, have been erring on the side of caution as it relates to reopening and resident safety.
In the Independence community, residents took to the community Facebook page toward the end of May asking when the amenities would reopen. At the time, Independence staff said the pool area and recreational facilities would remain closed until further notice to curtail social gatherings and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Property Manager Diana Washburn told residents via Facebook the community’s board of directors would be reopening some amenities June 8 with certain restrictions. Hours for the time being are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
“All amenities will be available at a reduced capacity during business hours only — first-come, first-serve basis,” Washburn wrote. “The association will continue to monitor recommendations from federal, state and local officials as well as the legal counsel and insurance providers for the community. Future updates will be provided as these recommendations change.”
Those restrictions include a single point of entry to the pool area, reduced capacity on the pool deck, face masks required upon entry but not in the water, social-distancing signage, hand-sanitizing stations, daily disinfection cleanings and periodic monitoring for social distancing and gatherings by a pool attendant.
Additionally, residents must present a photo ID and complete a waiver each visit. Those under 18 must have a parent or guardian with them throughout their visit. The main fitness center, business center and arcade also will share many of the same restrictions.
In Lakes of Windermere, Homeowners Association President Jon Johnston said the board is in a tough position regarding reopening. It also has another wrench to consider: The community pool currently has a leak.
“We’ve had a tough time getting quotes on fixing the leak, so what we don’t want to do is open the pool and then close the pool,” Johnston said. “We’re in this Catch-22 here. … Our concern with the pool is to be able to comply with Orange County; it’s tough to do. It’s expensive to do — we can’t sanitize our furniture; you can’t lock it up. To hire someone (to monitor social distancing), it’d be seven days a week from sun up to sundown. It’s one of those tough things. I think the board is split on what to do.”
Another issue is that although some residents have been requesting credits on their dues, the budget remains static despite the pandemic.
“Our budget’s based on 606 homes times the quarterly dues times four times a year,” he said. “That’s what our budget is, and it’s dollar in, dollar out. We’re not saving any money on cleaning the pool or cutting the grass. We’re still paying all those things.”
The board never shut down the community parks or playgrounds, Johnston said, but they did remove the basketball rim and volleyball net. However, he said, people have been putting up their own volleyball nets and playing anyway. The push to reopen amenities and the pull of concern for resident safety puts the board in a tough spot, he said.
“There’s no self-policing going on, or there wouldn’t be enough without us putting someone there (at the pool), and you just can’t afford to do that,” he said. “It’s expensive. … We could afford to do it and then raise the dues next year to cover that, but that’s a lose-lose situation. It’s a position that’s not fun to be in. It’s not like we have our heads in the sand, it’s just what do you do? What is right to do? … You just try to do what’s best.”
