May 7, 2020
Dear Members,
We wanted to provide all our members a new update given the fluid situation that we are all living with the Coronavirus pandemic. Our last update was on March 22, 2020. We wanted to reach you, as the May 15th pool invoice due date is approaching.
Yesterday, Governor Hogan spoke and as of now we fall into the Section V.f.ii. We will continue to monitor the situation.
Georgetown Aquatics has prepared our pool for a Memorial Day opening. If given the green light, we are ready to open on time.
Meanwhile, the DRA Board has been in contact with all our utilities, service providers, contractors, and insurance agents exploring “what if” scenarios. What if we have a delayed opening? What if we do not open at all?
Whether the pool opens on time, mid-season or sadly (and hopefully not) not at all; there are still expenses that must be paid. All of us, as DRA Members need to realize and acknowledge that we are in this together, and that while not desired, we have bills to pay regardless of when and if the pool opens this summer. We are ALL owners of the pool.
While we are not in absolute hardship; the timing of Coronavirus is not ideal for us. A crack was discovered in the competition pool last summer (2019) during the annual inspection, and for the competition pool to be useable this summer, we had to resurface it in the offseason, at a cost of $50k. (BTW, it looks great) Therefore, we need all members to be prepared to pay some 2020 fees, even if we do not open in 2020.
Some pools in the county will not survive this situation. The DRA will, as we know that our members will come together and help to keep our pool as one of the best in the county.
While there is a good handle of most of the “what if” costs, some are still TBD. As an example, the pool may still have to be chlorinated all summer to prevent a mosquito breeding pit. There is a cost to accomplish that.
As of today, our early estimates are that the Coronavirus 2020 fee will be approximately $135 per membership if we do not open at all. This is not in addition to your dues. It will be in place of your normal dues.
We ask that you pay your current 2020 invoice as you normally would. If the pool does not open, we will determine the final Coronavirus 2020 fee and send you a check back for the difference immediately. We will not be holding money or doing credits for next year. This Coronavirus 2020 fee will not be optional, and all members will need to pay to keep our pool fiscally sound and viable to open in summer 2021.
Things could change in coming days or weeks, but this is where we are as of today. We are happy to discuss this with any member.
Stay safe and healthy,
DRA Board of Directors