Key Takeaways:
- Community managers should develop a pool operation plan before opening the facility
- Maintenance and rules are two vital components
- Failure to have a plan in place could lead to liability or the deterioration of the asset
Summer is the best time to gather locals in the neighborhood on a hot, sunny day, especially if you have a community pool. However, not all swimming pools will draw as many people as you anticipate. Why is that?
Some swimming pools are unhealthy due to contamination. Swimming in such pools might lead to health concerns that put off residents. Others may not be safe, and residents won’t want to spend time in a dangerous area.
HOA community pool managers should strive to keep their pools clean, secure, and healthy for all users. And before they open the facility, HOA community management should implement strategies to ensure locals utilize the pool correctly.
A lack of a strategy could result in liability or asset depreciation. Remember, a well-maintained pool is a significant way to attract more homebuyers and investors into the community.
Consequently, every community pool manager should encourage locals to follow the rules and employ regular maintenance to maintain the pool’s value.
Maintenance tips for community swimming pool management
1. Create a set of safety rules
It’s important to set clear rules and regulations for people to abide by when utilizing the swimming pool. Community management should ensure the safety of its residents and lower its potential liability by establishing a comprehensive set of regulations. And they should post these rules where any resident using the pool can view them.
Such rules can include teaching pool workers and residents about proper swimming hygiene. HOA community pool management should also advise pool users to avoid going to the pool when they have illnesses that might be transmitted through water.
To avoid accidents on the facility’s property, pool personnel should implement efficient risk management measures. It’s best to keep in mind that drowning is the third most common reason for unintentional injury fatality. To avert such catastrophes, pool management should follow a sensible set of safety guidelines.
2. Assemble a necessary team on-site
It is crucial to give facility employees the freedom to contribute in ways that effortlessly mesh with your organization’s objectives. Effective scheduling and time-slot management are essential for teamwork to function. For instance, it’s particularly important for swim instructors to be present on-site and maintain constant contact with clients.
Remember that a community pool is one way to draw people into your neighborhood. Therefore, to increase the pool’s appeal, HOA management and staff must ensure that they are always available for their clients.
3. Purchase insurance
Even with qualified lifeguards in place to supervise swimmers and intervene in case of emergency, accidents can – and often do – still happen around swimming pools. So having enough insurance is essential to protect your investment.
In some cases, residents involved in an accident may ultimately file a lawsuit against the HOA. To ensure that the beautiful pool their residents love so much isn’t setting them up for catastrophic losses, HOAs must evaluate their risk and obtain adequate insurance coverage.
Having proper insurance can also help the community swimming pool attract positive reviews from the neighborhood’s residents, which will help sell the facility and the community to prospective homebuyers.
4. Adjust the pool budget
The community swimming pool requires specialized cleaning and maintenance, which can be expensive. It doesn’t pay to cut corners, however, because proper pool maintenance reduces your liability by helping ensure swimmer safety, disease prevention, and pool safety.
The HOA community pool management must modify its budget to account for these upkeep expenses. Inadequate pool repairs could increase general maintenance expenses by up to five times in the long run, which may not be good for community finances.
5. Learn and conform with local regulations
To operate your pool effectively, you must become familiar with – and adhere to – all relevant local, state, and federal regulations. For instance, the most recent version of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that people with disabilities must have equal access to community swimming pools.
The ADA stipulates that large pools require two accessible entryways. One of these should be either a sloped entry or a pool lift. Conversely, smaller pools require one accessible entrance, either slanted access or a pool lift.
It may seem like a lot of work, but community swimming pools that adhere to these rules are likely to attract more members. And since the swimming pool is a community asset, this will significantly benefit the entire neighborhood.
6. Hire security
Before HOA community managers open their facilities for the summer, it’s a good idea to make sure that the pool has adequate security. In addition to fencing and proper gating, hiring security personnel is a fantastic approach to guarantee pool security.
Swimming pool security is essential to ensure that residents are well-protected and that their possessions are safe while they enjoy the pool. Patrolmen can help protect your pool and foster homeowner tranquility. Moreover, having a guard on-site can be crucial if there are theft or security concerns.
7. Maintain and repair the pool
Regular maintenance and repair ensure that swimmers will have the best possible experience at your pool. HOA community management must routinely inspect pool surfaces and address any issues that raise concerns. Failure to do so might eventually spark an accident, which can be devastating.
For pool safety, the HOA community pool management should make the following adjustments:
- Pool coverings and drains should always be in good working condition
- They must cover the pools adequately to avert any possible injuries
- Management should keep a checklist for correctly operating all lockers, pumps, and other pool equipment
Depending on water usage, a community pool should go through one filter cycle every six to eight hours. This will help prevent the buildup of debris.
Is your community pool ready for summer?
It’s important to employ summer maintenance on pools ahead of the season. Apply the above points to ensure that your pool is ready to accommodate the community and, most importantly, ensure their safety and security.
Fortunately, VendorSmart can help you source professional workers for your pool safety needs. Our comprehensive online platform puts property management companies and vendors in touch, ensuring you hire a local contractor with experience in pool management or maintenance. We offer compliance and vetting and provide real-time risk monitoring.
Contact VendorSmart today to make pool safety and maintenance easy!