Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: SWIMMING POOL (Mary Aplin)

[Fred-List manager (fholson]

G/P Looney-Burman <burloon [at] fresnocohousing.org>
is the author of the message below.  It was posted by
Fred, the Cohousing-L list manager <fholson [at] cohousing.org>
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--------------------  FORWARDED MESSAGE FOLLOWS --------------------
                             I am a charter member of La Querencia, a cohousing 
community in the
California Central Valley (Fresno).  Given the local climate here, there was
never much doubt in our minds that we wanted a swimming pool.  So, we have a
fairly large (35,000 gallons) pool and a small spa.  They are a source of
fun and enjoyment for many residents, especially the families with children.
If we were to do it over again, I would want to have a pool and spa. There
are two lap lanes for those who enjoy that.

However:

1.  We are classified as a "public pool" since the pool is part of a
condominium development and as such we are subject to more rigorous
standards than a private residential pool would be.  This include having to
have an annual permit issued by the Fresno County Health Department, being
subject to unannounced inspections by the Health Department, having to
maintain records of measurements of pool chemistry parameters, and being
required to have most repair and/or replacement of major components (pumps,
filters, etc.) performed by licensed contractors (rather than "do it
yourself" work.)

2. The cost of operating the pool (chemicals, electricity, natural gas, and
equipment maintenance) turned out to be higher that our original budget
projections indicated.  We do have a solar pool water heater, use an energy
efficient (Intelli-Flo) pump in the spa (and at some point, want to convert
the pool pump to a more efficient model), and have replaced the old 500 Watt
underwater lights with 80 Watt LED models.  Our energy costs are still high.

3. The County requires we have a designated "Pool Operator" which is a job
that we had not originally planned for.  I am the uncompensated pool
operator.

4.  Although some members have suggested that we engage a commercial pool
service, the cost of such a service that would meet the County requirements
would be prohibitive.  Getting enough resident volunteers to do the required
work is sometimes a challenge.

5.  With the ongoing California drought, the water requirements of the pool
could be problematic.

If a community is contemplating the installation of a pool and/or spa, I
would suggest you take the following steps first:

a.  Contact your local city or county government and determine of your pool
would be classified as a public or residential (private) pool.  If you would
be classified as a public pool, find out what the maintenance and operating
requirements will be.

b.  If you are a public pool, make sure that your developer, architect,
general contractor and pool subcontractor understand that are experienced
and licensed for public pool design and construction in your local municipal
jurisdiction.

c.  Find out what a commercial pool service would cost (for a public pool).
If that fits into your operating budget, that is wonderful!  If not, make
sure that you plan for resident volunteers to do most of the routine
chemical tests, chemical adjustments, and routine cleaning.

If anyone has further questions, or would like a copy of our pool use
policy, send me an e-mail to burloon [at] fresnocohousing.org

George Burman