Water Aerobics in Neighborhood Pools?
 

First of all, a big shout out to the Pool Pals of Virginia Trace for their wonderful philanthropic work!

In case you didn't see Page 1 of Section C in today's SUN, mention was made not only of the terrific acts of kindness performed by the Pool Pals of Virginia Trace, but also that a group of about 60 people do an aerobics class in the Virginia Trace neighborhood pool 5 days a week.

Frankly, I wasn't aware that classes of any type were permitted in the neighborhood pools. It's my understanding that the sports pools serve that function. I know that there is a similar group using the Charlotte pool every morning from 8 to 9:30am and, while I don't believe there are 60 people in that particular group, others who like to use the pool early in the day find it "uncomfortable" to be in the pool with everyone else using arm and leg weights appropriate for pool use, and then holding on to the edge of the pool to do other exercises.

My question, then, is this...can organized groups of people, while not officially a "class", use the neighborhood pools for aerobics workouts? It wouldn't seem so, as the Thursday Recreation Guide lays out pretty specifically what each type of pool is for. Is there an answer to this question anywhere?

I would think the recreation department would give you the correct answer. To my knowledge the only pools to conduct organized water exercises would be in the sports pools. Just my guess.

Well, you WOULD think that the recreation department would be on top of this, wouldn't you? Unfortunately, they seem to be totally unconcerned (at Captiva Rec Center, at least).

If you are really inconvenienced by it, don't just go to the rec center. Go to the TV rec director.

Mom and I were just in TV and I saw the aerobics class when I was on my morning walk. They looked like they were having a lot of fun. I would have joined the class but it is a little crazy when I only have two weeks in TV.

I think I read somewhere that if you want to lead a Rec Center class that it requires a two year time commitment. Maybe, that is why they use the Neighborhood Pool.

Even though the Charlotte Pool is practically in my backyard, I would go to the Sanibel Pool if I didn't want to partake in the class.

Ok Villagers....the answer is in Friday's Daily Sun
Section D Lifestyles.....page 5 ..last three paragraphs ...... Well written...
We as adults are given the opportunity to realize the wrong...
What happens after a time of this unauthorized activity......???

Read the whole article which has interesting information ......

Sorry, I no longer have Friday's paper. I'll see if I can get it online. In the meantime, would you please be so kind as to paraphrase the paragraphs of which you wrote? Thanks, and much appreciated!

Yes, please paraphrase for those of us who don't take the Sun or no longer have it.

TOMORROW'S PROJECT..
Unless another blogger gets to it first ...LOL
There are some folks more keen on the mechanics of gathering /transferring information than me.
I want to give the "real McCory" news.. This is a "sensitive" forum to some folks ....
Can't paraphrase ....hold on ...until ...as Paul Harvey would say...until tomorrow ...GOOD DAY!

I actually do not use the pools. but I would think that since they are neighborhood pools, any kind of organized activity would prevent the "neighborhood" from using it. That's what the sports pools are for. I also don't think it is fair when certain people act like they "own" the pool, and make it difficult for others to use the pools.

It says holding classes or sports activities takes away from the intention for the neighborhood pools.
It says while there is no current provision or policy to prohibit residents from doing this, residents are encouraged to move their sessions to the sport pools.

The last sentence- "We hope people are self- policing and self- enforcing." (Pam Henry- recreation manager for resident lifestyles)

I can foresee a few problems with this - and changes in policy down the road.

P.S. I attend a water aerobics class at Laurel Manor sports pool and love it.

I think you are spot on. Has the recreation director changed?


I suggest that we ask about this policy...if a lot of us ask, that might make an impression.


Recreation Administration
984 Old Mill Run
The Villages, FL 32162

Phone: 352-674-1800
Fax: 352-674-1805
Email Recreation

Room Reservations
984 Old Mill Run
The Villages, FL 32162

Phone: 352-674-1800
Fax: 352-674-1815

Business Hours:
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., EST
Monday – Friday

Gimme a break! A group of villagers want to get together and do water exercises on their own is one of the benefits of living in TV. New friends, healthy exercise under attack. Ridiculous. If you are so fussy you can't stand observing it, move to another pool. There is one 5 minutes away.

[QUOTE=graciegirl;890108]
Has the recreation director changed?

I don't know, Gracie- according to this article, Pam Henry is recreational manager. Maybe someone else is the overall Director?

I don't think it is bad...it just keeps the pool from being used by others who want to swim or walk or wade or just stand there. The sports pools offer water aerobic classes. I think it would be intimidating to people at neighborhood pools, like saving seats. You are right, people can go to the next pool.

ANd to me that is a form of bullying.

Amen Brother! If neighbors want to participate together that's a good thing. Don't look for a problem that does not exist!

Go to the sports pools
 

I agree with the OP. There is a time and place for everything and The Villages has provided pools for exercise and they need to be used. The regular pools are to be enjoyed otherwise. Perhaps this should be discussed with the director, although I'm sure nothing will become of it. They don't want anyone to be unhappy here in the bubble.

Having your own pool may be the answer. Lazy us don't like the upkeep. BUT...Sweetie could be my pool boy!

Follow up/ pool usage
 

uptown girl and gracie girl provided the next level of information
thanks for your splash on the subject
now you know the rest of the story......

You didn't fall off the back of a turnip truck. I like that about you.

I won't tell the story of a female who told me she ran a class in a neighborhood pool, had her friends come (from where she USED to live- in another retirement community) and charged them on the side for the classes…. until some curmudgeon turned her in.
I could tell it, but I won't.
:mornincoffee:

Nothing personal Gracie, but.....you're saying that multiple people should spend $25,000 - $50,000 apiece because selected individuals choose to disregard the restrictions they agreed to on purchase?

Please see : Is Common Sense Dead? - Talk of The Villages
:angel:

Oy, I didn't mean to cause an uproar over my post, but I did ask a reasonable question, to which it looks like no one has a definitive answer. It's like the complaint of dog walkers and bikers on the golf courses after dusk, or, as Gracie pointed out, saving seats in the squares. I guess "anything goes". In answer to the poster who suggested I go to another pool if the class in the neighborhood pool bothers me...I can WALK to that pool, and cannot walk to any other neighborhood pool. If there were children in the neighborhood pools, everyone would have a fit, because there is a pool specifically for the use of families with children, just like there are pools specifically for sports and aerobics. I agree with Happinow, and will call the recreation director for an answer to this.

If the activity dominates the pool and does not accommodate sharing, common sense should dictate that is unfair and not an equitable use of a "neighborhood" facility.

I think that Gracie's point is that due to the dominant lack of common sense and courtesy, getting your own pool MAY be the only answer to avoid this inequity. Beyond that, you are screwed today as long as no one will take personal responsibility to counter unfair activities at the "shared" facilities.

Key words here ...... common sense :icon_wink:

No. I wasn't saying that. Just making conversation. Indy got the gist of my meaning.

Good point. In the article quoted, the recreational manager seems to be implying that they won't do anything about it. If they can't be bothered with policing these things, why have this kind of pool division--rec, family, neighborhood--to begin with? At the very least the rec manager could put pressure on each rec center to keep these things from happening at the pools they oversee.

Why not just go and use the pool the way you choose to. Because it is not a sport pool, but rather a neighborhood pool, you cannot be prevented from using it. It's there for everyone to use, whenever they choose. Jump in and enjoy and ignore the ignorant.

I was wondering that too - what's the worst that could happen if you just use it the way you want to and ignore the exercisers? Won't they need to walk around you?

Whats one to do...last week someone complained that people were talking in the pool to others and it was noisy and that the pool was for a peaceful time. No talking! WOW!
I like the idea that sports pools are for people who want to be active. If I want to be on a noodle relaxing then walkers in an adult pool can go around me or go the the appropriate pool. Agree with quirky3!

Pam Henry "hopes" people will be self-policing and self-enforcing?
I hope to win $15 Million in a lottery. :mornincoffee:

I think the neighborhood pools are for the neighborhood to share. When I first bought my home I was trying out almost all the neighborhood pools! Once I just jumped in and joined a class and was made very welcome. The class I jumped in on was 1 hour (and appeared to be regularly scheduled). It seems that if you lived in the neighborhood you would know when the classes were held and schedule your own visits according to your own personal likes or dislikes (quiet time, busy time, good time to exercise, good time to nap) Flexibility & adaptability are required when you share anything!!

Well for one thing, we saw in a post a week or so ago that people got mad at someone for trying to be in the pool signing to her deaf friend when they wanted to be in there walking. Some of these people just get downright nasty, and I could see where a pool full of 60 exercisers would gang up on the poor souls trying to get in there and relax. I sure wouldn't take them on!

The interesting thing is...The Daily Sun recently featured a woman who conducts a water aerobics class several days a week at the Hemingway Neighborhood Pool. Busted?

So, maybe I am missing something here. You want to use the pool to swim laps and get some excercise. The people in the pool want to use the pool for excercise. As many have said, common senese should be the order of the day. Just ask them to open up a lane for you. If they give you a hard time, then talk to the Rec Director

Actually, not. Anyone wanting to swim laps should go to the sports pools. The neighborhood pools are not for exercising, and there should be no expectation of anyone opening up a lane for you, nor should there be exercise classes being conducted that effectively close off the pool for anyone trying to relax in it.

If it happens that nobody's in there and you want to swim laps, fine, but don't expect that you should be able to. They are for relaxing in, the family pools are for kids, and the sports pools are for exercise. I think it's a good design by TV.

Thank you!

Well said.

I did not mean to imply that there is any expectation but I believe that, as I said, common sense should dictate each person's behavior.

Fair enough, Edjkoz. My guess is, though, that your last sentence in your first post will be the case, and people will end up having to go to the rec director.