Board Update: Pool opening status, release forms, pool tags, repairs

Dear Eagle Nest residents,

First off, we hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. While Monday is the traditional start of summer, it’s important to remember the national holiday was started to remember and honor all those military personnel who died while serving in our military. They paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can continue to enjoy our freedom, and that makes them true heroes. To those who lost a family member in the line of duty, our sincerest condolences and thanks for your sacrifices, too. If you have a U.S. flag, we hope you fly it with pride this weekend in memory of our fallen soldiers.

Memorial Day weekend also is the traditional opening of the Eagle Nest Pool and other common ground facilities, but unfortunately COVID-19 health concerns have delayed that timeline. Here are some FAQs with the latest on that:

Question: When will the Pool open?

Answer: No date has been determined but not before June 1. The Board is still waiting on official guidance from the Marion County Health Department on when pools and other non-essential facilities can reopen, so until then the facility remains closed. After guidance is announced, it may require a little time to prepare and implement county recommendations and requirements. We understand that is an inconvenience, and that other pools and facilities in other counties may be open, but we are regulated by the county health department and as such must follow its guidance. Failure to properly comply could result in closure for the entire season, and we don’t want that, of course.

Following is important guidance Eagle Nest received from the Marion County Health Department:

“On May 13, 2020, the Marion County Public Health Department and the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office continued its stay-at-home order through June 1, 2020. And earlier this month, Mayor Joe Hogsett and Public Health Director Dr. Virginia Caine announced that Marion County will begin a “modified phase 2” re-opening plan partially following the phased approach to re-opening as outlined in Governor Holcomb’s “5 Stages to get Indiana Back on Track” plan. The Governor’s Executive Order to reopen the state does not override the Marion County Public Health Orders. 

The dates when Marion County moves to different phases of the plan differ from elsewhere in the state due to the increased population density and increased risk of COVID transmission in Marion County. That means Marion County pools and other aquatic venues must remain closed until Marion County decides to move to Phase 3 on or after June 1, 2020. A date for announcing the timeline on Stage 3 activities has not yet been announced.

In accordance with the local and state re-opening requirements, the following will be required when pools do re-open:

1. Pool facilities must operate at 50% of normal capacity, meaning 50% of their normal “Maximum Bather Load” up to a maximum occupancy of 100 people per facility (Stage 3 social gathering). This 50% occupancy number must be posted at each entrance to your facility on a sign with letters at least 1” high. Operators are expected to operate and monitor their facilities to ensure the maximum occupancy is not exceeded.

2. Pool sites must submit a satisfactory bacteria sample to the Marion County Public Health Department prior to re-opening.

3. Due to an inherent inability to practice social distancing, spas, spray pads, interactive water fountains, and spray features must remain closed during “Phase 3” and “Phase 4.”

4. Ensure water chemistry in pools is properly maintained in accordance with 410 IAC 6-2.1 and properly documented in the required logbook.

5. Ensure bathrooms are available with soap, running water, paper towels and are kept clean and sanitary and frequently disinfected as per the Indiana State Department of Health guidelines on disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. 

6. Pool facility staff must wear face coverings within the pool enclosure, while encouraging patrons to do the same. Patrons are not required to wear face masks while swimming.”

More information about COVID-19 health regulations and declarations can be found on the City of Indianapolis website: https://www.indy.gov/topic/covid

Question: Will users have to sign a release to enter the facility?

Answer: Yes, every Pool user will need to sign a COVID-19 waiver/release form before use. Only residents will be permitted to use the Pool until the threat of COVID-19 passes -- no guests will be allowed. The forms will be distributed with the Pool tags and must be signed and turned into our guards before entering the facility. (Parents can sign on behalf of minors). Note: Please bring your driver’s license or other form of ID showing your Eagle Nest address so guards can verify your residency. No form will be accepted without ID verification. Also, no one will be admitted without a pool tag.

Question: I paid my annual dues, so when will I get my Pool tags?

Answer: Pool tags (along with the release form) will be distributed to residents in good standing (i.e. dues paid, no lot violations) when the Board determines an opening date. (If you haven’t paid your dues, you still have a few days left before the deadline of 5 p.m. June 1. After that, we’ll have to engage our legal counsel to begin collection proceedings.)

Question: If the Pool season is shortened, will residents get a refund on dues?

Answer: No, unfortunately, dues will not be refunded. The facility costs money to maintain, even when it’s not used, as well as the Clubhouse, sports courts and playground. The Board is discussing extended Pool hours, but that depends on guard availability and weather, of course. The Board usually extends the season past the traditional Labor Day closure, but that depends on guard availability and weather. That latter factor is the wild card. We simply don’t see the value in keeping the pool heater on or paying guards during chilly Septembers for only one or two swimmers a week.

Question: What Pool repairs are being done?

Answer: Several new Pool ladders have been installed, and the old rickety guard chair at the corner of the deep end has been removed. The steps leading from the bathrooms to the main deck will be replaced to eliminate cracks and potential trip hazards. Also, the large Sycamore tree at the slide end of the Pool will be trimmed and shaped, which should yield considerable cost savings by preventing tree debris from falling into the facility and littering the common grounds. The deck on back side of the Clubhouse has been refurbished with all-weather composite decking.

Question: What about the annual Pool Opening and Ice Cream Social on June 7?

Answer: At this writing, the Ice Cream Social is tentative. The Board would like to hold the event when the Pool is open, but as previously mentioned an official opening date has not yet been announced. For health and safety reasons, the Board decided to hand out packaged ice cream bars and popsicles instead of hand-scooping ice cream this year.

In other Board news:

• The annual Neighborhood Garage Sale has been moved to June 12-13.
• New time for Bagel Boss Indy food truck on Monday, May 25: 9 a.m. to noon
• June food trucks (so far): Union Jack on June 2, and Tijuana Flats on June 10 (with margaritas!)
• If you want to run for the Board, please submit your name, address, lot number and a short paragraph about you and why you are running to scottthien@comcast.net by June 1.

That’s all for now. Keep an eye on your email and the neighborhood blog and Facebook page for more updates. If you have questions, concerns or suggestions about the upcoming Pool season, contact Pool Manager Sam Burns at samantha.burns51@gmail.com or Board President Scott Thien at scottthien@comcast.net.

Happy Memorial Day!

The Eagle Nest Board