Since Gov. Tate Reeves has lessened restrictions allowing for the reopening of outdoor recreational facilities, some local homeowners associations (HOA) are diving right in to reopen neighborhood pools while others are dipping a hesitant toe into the water.
In Madison, Madison Organization of Neighborhood Associations (MONA) Chairman Paul Tankersly said, at presstime, he only knew of a few HOA leaders planning to reopen at this time.
He added that others are developing their plans before moving forward. In fact, Northbay, the subdivision Tankersly lives in, is waiting.
“So far, we have not opened Northbay on legal advice from our attorney, but are interested in opening if we could find a reasonable way to do so,” he said.
As for neighborhoods where the pools are open, they have outlined strict guidelines for use of the facilities.
According to Tankersly, these neighborhoods are requiring online sign-ups for one and a half hour time slots limited to 20 people at a time. Between these timed visits, staff are sanitizing the facility for 30 minutes.
Hours for pool use are limited to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and no outside guests are allowed at this time. Visitors are also required to sign a waiver releasing the neighborhood of fault in the event of an incident.
Some neighborhoods have even talked of bringing in security guards to ensure all of the above guidelines are being followed, Tankersly added.
“It is a really involved process,” Tankersly said. “Most don’t feel like it’s worth it, as it stands right now.”
Members of the Madison County Property Owners Association (MCPOA) have taken a variety of approaches to the reopening of neighborhood pools, according to MCPOA board member Trey Petro.
“The neighborhoods in the county with pools have had different approaches, but they all center around the recommendations from Governor Tate Reeves,” Petro said.
Many have taken a more hands-off approach by simply posting signs with the COVID-19 recommendations at pool gates and advising residents who decide to swim that they are doing so at their own risk.
Others have hired security guards to ensure the governor’s recommendations are being observed “as best as possible.”
“One thing we have implemented in Ashbrooke is a no guest policy until the conditions improve,” Petro said. “You are not going to make everyone happy, but you do your best to please the majority.”
In Ridgeland, Dinsmor has adapted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for reopening its neighborhood pool, according to a statement from the Dinsmor HOA President Mike Smith.
All Dinsmor residents who choose to visit the pool are asked to practice social distancing and wear face coverings until “the virus situation has improved.”
“The board has taken the CDC guidelines for pool use and adapted them for our pool...We are asking for your cooperation as we take these steps on the path to normal activities,” Smith wrote.
Ridgeland Alderman at Large and Dinsmor resident D.I. Smith said he visited the pool with his family on Memorial Day and said there were only a few small families there to swim.
The following are the CDC recommendations for public pool use:
All pool attendees should wear face coverings in any area outside of the water;
Group gatherings should be avoided;
All pool visitors should practice social distancing and keep a six-foot distance from others;
Swimmers should stay six feet away from anyone they do not live with; Frequent cleaning of furniture, towels and other pool equipment is necessary.
