Salt pools
 

I saw a year or so ago all the pools were to be changed over to salt by the end of last summer. We don't use the pools because my wife is allergic to chlorine. Does anyone know if this happened? TY.

Since this is related to a medical condition (allergy to chlorine) you should contact the Recreation Department for up-to-date, information from the source. I believe chlorine or a chlorine-like chemical is still required, just at a lower concentration. You will want to know which pools, which chemical, and what concentration.

I think you meant to say she is sensitive to chlorine. There is no such thing as a chlorine allergy.

So with that line of thought, there are other family pools on the other side of 27/441 that are available. Why then change a priority pool to a family pool.

I pass four pools on my morning walk and there are a few others just as close. Close one of those pools and I'll just go to another (I know, it has been done). Pools aren't as numerous on the historic side. It looks like there are four pools in total: One temporarily closed; one closing; one a priority pool; and Southside. The next closest pool would be Hacienda but that is also closed. If you are in that area it isn't that easy to just find another Family pool.

The project to convert the amenity pools was completed. (I don't know about the developer-owned pools.) The reason for the conversion was the high cost and uncertainty about the availability of chlorine. The salt process breaks down the sodium chloride to get the chlorine, so it is still in the water (the process manages to get rid of most of the sodium).

This is what I was going to post. A salt pool is a chlorine pool and realistically it will have the same amount of chlorine as any chlorine pool. The only difference is the chlorine is generated at a steady level and the salt pool is more stable. I've found my salt pool way easier to maintain than when I was using chlorine pucks. I've never had to shock it with high dose of chlorine.

Some say the salt is gentler on the skin, so perhaps that would help with chlorine sensitivity.

Country Club pools in addition to being for 'enhanced memberships' are also family pools.

Suggestion regarding opening Glenview pool while Savannah pool is closed...
 

A former writer is wondering: "...I would like to know if Mr. Cole is in favor of opening up Glenview's Priority Pool and hot tub too..."
As it is, there are considerably fewer pools in the area between CR 42 and CR 466! NONE of the Villages of Briar Meadow, Piedmont, Belle Aire, Alhambra, Glenbrook, Polo Ridge or Santiago have a pool. It was only within recent years that the 2 new villages (Phillips and Souliere Villas) were constructed and First Responders added a 3rd - that those areas had a pool as close by as ALL of those south of our area.

The people join Priority pools not only for the benefit of having a meal there, but they are paying for a lesser crowded pool. Opening it up to all defeats them paying for priority membership

Hope they have to show their Villages ID card

Orange Blossom pool is usually pretty crowded during peak time (mid-morning to just before supper) all year 'round.

You can eat and drink at the pool, they have a server that comes around taking and delivering orders most of the day.

The main objection to opening it up, is that it's not an amenity. Our amenity fees don't pay for it, it costs extra just to get in. If it's opened up to anyone, then everyone who's already paid for the privilege, should get a refund. Why should I have to pay for it when you can go there at no extra cost?

We have two other amenity-paid pools on this side of The Villages. Either one of them can be converted to a family pool temporarily, because neither of them are busy enough -most- of the time, for anyone to really care. Plus they have plenty of parking. On busy days, the lots are often full at Orange Blossom. That's because they share the lots with golfers, people hanging out at the bar, and people going to eat. You don't need to be a member to eat, the restaurant is open to the public.

Agree
 

Agree that’s a pay for play area. More such pools in the villages would be great. Perhaps 3 to 4 more that require paying. If very profitable build more. More people more money more fun but alcohol consumption must be watched and you know that will bring problems. Any such at Orange? Anybody know?

You're right, it looks like once south of 466 did the Villages really get rolling with the 'neighborhood pool' concept.

I know that I can NOW open my eyes underwater without any burning sensation, but years ago if I did that it would burn. So to me, the newer salt pools are superior.