05/23/2020
The Woodlands Pools
May 22, 2020
Pool Considerations
Pursuant to Governor Kemp’s orders, commercial pools may open as long as CDC guidelines are enforced, and the pool is properly permitted by the county. While we are excited to get the pools open for resident use, please be aware that due to the continued threat of COVID-19, there will be numerous modifications to our normal operations and procedures that will need to take place in order for a compliant reopening.
Anyone using the pools will be using at their own risk!
We have worked closely with our service provider, Swim-Atlanta, to come up with a reopening plan. The health of our community is our main priority. The decision to open the pools necessitates strict adherence to CDC mandates and the recommended guidelines of compliance issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Our efforts focus on limiting virus exposure while at the pools by practicing social distancing and maintaining a clean swimming environment. There are areas in which you as residents can also help limit your exposure to the virus while at the pools and within the community.
Reduce the Spread of the Virus:
Social Distancing: A minimum distance of 6’ between groups, families, and friends would be required at all times.
This policy would be self-policed; however, failure to observe social distancing could result in pool being closed
If social distancing warnings are not followed.
Staffing:
There will be lifeguards, provided by Swim-Atlanta present at the Main pool. A Swim-Atlanta representative will be a monitor at the main pool front gate to greet swimmers and observe occupancy limits.
Swim-Atlanta representatives are not authorized or trained to enforce CDC guidelines so please do not approach them to do so.
A trusted cleaning professional service provider will support regular cleaning of touch surfaces, and restrooms as required by the CDC using approved disinfectants per the EPA's criteria for use against the Coronavirus.
Protective Measures for Residents to Take:
Residents are encouraged to use hand sanitizer upon arriving and before leaving the pool. There will be hand sanitizer provided for residents to use while at the pool. Residents are strongly encouraged, to wear face masks at all times when on the pool deck area.
Occupancy:
There will be reduced occupancy at the pools due to social distancing recommendations. Based on CDC guidelines, we will open our pools at 25% capacity. This means no more than about 130 people are recommend at the pool area. A posted map of the pool specifies separated pool chair “stations” and arrows indicate traffic flow to exit.
We are suggesting as a courtesy residents’ limits pool visits to 2-hour slots. This will increase the turnover of swimmers at each pool which will allow more residents an opportunity to swim throughout the day.
• Anyone entering the pool will be using the pool at their own risk.
• Guests will not be allowed.
• Face coverings are recommended while visiting the pool, but do not wear a mask in the water since cloth face masks can be difficult to breathe through when they’re wet.
• To comply with social distancing guidelines, a limited number of pool chair “stations” have been created at each pool. One “station” is an area of approximately 8 x 10 feet of pool deck. Each “station” has 2 pool lounge chairs.
• The Main pool will have 26 “stations”, of which 21 will be pool chair “stations” and 5 will be table & chair “stations”.
• The Views pool will have about 12 pool chair “stations”, 2 table & chair stations.
• Do NOT move furniture out of the designated pool chair “stations”.
• Do NOT bring personal furniture into the pool area.
• Please note the 6 x 6-foot social distance spacing zone between “chair stations”.
• It is recommended that residents lay down a towel on top of the chair they are utilizing to provide an extra layer of protection.
• Hand Sanitizing stations have been placed around the pool deck, at the entrance, exit and in all restrooms.
• Following facility mitigation measures to reduce exposure risk recommendations by the Georgia Department of Public Health, the Pool Slide will not be open this year.
Please know that we appreciate your patience and partnership as we work together to try and offer a fun experience for our residents at the community pools while in compliance of CDC guidelines for aquatic venues. We will be monitoring health conditions and all new government recommendations as we move forward in order to quickly respond to any emerging developments.
Wishing you and your family a fun and safe summer at the pool!
