Board update, re: FAQs on Pool opening, Clubhouse repairs, courts availability, dues, food trucks and more

Eagle Nest residents,

The Board hopes everyone is staying healthy and coping well with what seems like endless COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. These are extraordinary times, indeed, but our neighbors have maintained a positive spirit through random acts of kindness, sidewalk chalk art, cheerful window signs and driveway gatherings – properly socially distanced, of course. All that and more speaks volumes about the residents who call Eagle Nest home.

As the nation begins to reopen, so, too, will Eagle Nest’s facilities. The timing of our return will closely mirror what local and state health authorities recommend, but the Board has not yet determined a firm timetable for opening all our amenities. We are working with our legal counsel to determine the best path forward on several fronts and will share more as information becomes available.

In the meantime, following is a quick FAQ about common questions we’ve received recently:

Question: When will the Pool open?

Answer: Our Pool vendor is treating the water this week, with the goal of stabilized chemical levels by Memorial Day. However, that does not guarantee the Pool will be open for the holiday weekend. While many businesses are reopening with limited capacities and spacing guidelines, it is unclear how those recommendations can be effectively applied to our Pool and other amenities (Clubhouse, sports courts and playground).

Based on feedback from other neighborhoods, some pools may not open until mid/late June, and even then, they will have restrictions. The challenge is how to enforce spacing guidelines in the water, in the restrooms and on the Pool deck, or even what facility capacity would look like. Once we determine those answers and how to apply them effectively, we will reopen. But we will not compromise resident safety simply to meet a date on a calendar.

In the meantime, we are moving forward with the assumption that the Pool will open, though for a slightly shorter season. We are developing a waiver/release form, which all patrons will need to sign upon entry to the Pool facility for every use. We are hiring guard staff and preparing to clean the facility. We will communicate the Pool schedule and other details by email, Facebook and our neighborhood blog, so keep an eye on those platforms for more information to come.

Question: If the Pool opens in June, will the season be extended to make up the difference? And will dues be partially refunded?

Answer: Fall weather and guard availability are the two main factors that determine our Pool season length. Some years we’ve stayed open two weeks after Labor Day, some years not, due largely to weather. 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 the entire week. And, unfortunately no, dues will not be refunded. The facility costs money to maintain, even when it’s not used, as well as the Clubhouse, courts and playground.

Question: When will the basketball and tennis courts and playground reopen?

Answer: We’re hoping to reopen all the courts and playground for the Memorial Day weekend. As the COVID-19 climate lingers, though, residents are encouraged to maintain proper social distancing and to avoid using the facilities if you are ill.

Question: When will the Clubhouse reopen?

Answer: No reopening date has been set for the Clubhouse. We will communicate with those who have reservations in May and June to determine alternate dates or provide refunds. Some reservations may remain if the appropriate waiver/release form is signed (details on that to come).

Question: What’s going on with the Clubhouse deck?

Answer: A contractor is replacing the decking with more durable all-weather composite material, as well as shoring up the decades-old structure to ensure continued resident safety. The deck should be finished by Memorial Day weekend.

Question: What Pool repairs are being done?

Answer: The steps leading from the bathrooms to the main deck are being replaced to eliminate cracks and potential trip hazards. The repairs should be finished by Memorial Day weekend. 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 pool and littering the common grounds.

Question: Any update on the dues?

Answer: At this writing, 360 out of our 419 properties have paid their dues, down from 381 properties at the same time last year. The good news is residents still have about two weeks to pay their dues. (Please ensure they are postmarked by June 1 or dropped in the Clubhouse mailbox at 8075 Teel Way.) If you haven’t paid and need to work out a payment plan, please contact Secretary/Bookkeeper Chris’e Van Meter at enpoa_sec@att.net before June 1. After June 1, all unpaid accounts will be turned over to our legal counsel for collection. We hope it won’t come to that, of course.

Question: When are Board elections and what is the process to submit candidacy?

Answer: Four of seven Board seats – the Board is all volunteers, by the way – will be up for grabs at the Annual Meeting on June 29. Terms are expiring for President Scott Thien, Vice President Jason Van Meter, Social Committee Chair Alice Miley and Board member Brian Schneider. Three of the four Board members plan to run again, leaving one uncontested seat to fill.

Residents in good standing who interested in running need to email the following to Board President Scott Thien at scottthien@comcast.net by 5 p.m. June 1: name, address, lot number, number of years in Eagle Nest, reason/qualifications to run (100 words or less). Candidate information will be posted on our blog and printed on ballots to be mailed to residents two weeks before the Annual Meeting on June 29.

Question: Will the food trucks continue?

Answer: Yes, but we’ll be scaling back a bit, probably to once or twice a month. As restaurants reopen residents will be getting out more, reducing the need and attraction for food trucks. But the Board has gotten a lot of great feedback about the trucks – as well as favorites – so we’ll be developing a modified rotation soon and communicate that so residents can plan. We know some vendors lacked staff or offered so-so menus, and we’ll take that into consideration as we firm up our summer and fall schedule.

Coming this week: Union Jack on Thursday, May 14, and Serendipity on Saturday, May 16. Check the Eagle Nest blog for times and menus. If you have vendor suggestions or general feedback, please contact Board President Scott Thien at scottthien@comcast.net.

That’s all for now. Keep an eye on your email, the Eagle Nest blog and Facebook for more neighborhood news and updates. Thanks for all you do as residents to make Eagle Nest the residential destination it is!

The Eagle Nest Board