[CFrance]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Here is my email to Mr. Rohan:

Dear Mr. Rohan,

A number of neighborhood pools are being used for exercise classes, tying up the pools for an hour or more at a time and making it impossible for the pools to be used for their intended purposes--floating around, relaxing, a little swimming. Many people have become combative when asked to make room for those wanting to use the pools for their intended purpose. Going to these pools' rec center staff and complaining has done no good. They either state there's nothing they can do about it, or they won't do anything about it.

There is a groundswell of dissatisfaction over this practice, and people are being urged to get together and try to get the rec department to enforce the rules at the neighborhood pools, and to have the exercise classes moved to the sports pools where they belong.

If you are a member of Talk of The Villages forum, I urge you to read this thread: Water Aerobics in Neighborhood Pools? It will give you information about which pools are being affected at this time. However, even if you don't read this thread, my request is that you direct your recreational staff at each rec center to ensure that these exercise classes are moved to the sports pools, and enforce the original intent of the neighborhood pools, which is for relaxing and socializing.

Bump

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Here is the email response I got from Mr. Rohan:

"We are looking how to get the residents to mutually respect pool use and intent. We agree the exercise classes should not impede or impact the enjoyment of others to use the neighborhood pools. That's why we designed sports pools."

I urge all of you to email him at the address given in my post above.

Bump

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by Skybo

The following are descriptions of what each type of pool is intended for. Copied from The Recreation section of Thevillages.com website:

"Our sport pools offer the opportunity for our residents to stay active by swimming, exercising, or participating in a variety of other water sport activities.

Family pools are a favorite hangout when the kids and grand kids are in town. You'll enjoy the sights and sounds as your grandchildren meet and play with other kids their own age.

If peace and quiet are what you're looking for, seek out one of our neighborhood pools, where adults congregate to relax, read a book, or maybe even sneak in a short nap!"

What could be more clear than these rules we all signed onto??!!??!!?

We all should write Rohan AND Tutt, quoting these very rules and this thread where bullies think they can rule.

[krash]

Just what do you think that Rohan and company can do to these people exercising? Forbid them entrance to the pool? Fish each individual out with a hook?

I don't see a way to stop it, and I'm sure the Recreation Dept can't figure out how to stop it either. Signs forbidding it? Hah! That's like our street stop signs. Who pays attention to them? Plus, you can be darn sure that each one of these water exercisers is going to say "I pay my amenity fee, I can use the pool as I want"

Just an FYI... I don't care either way this goes... I don't use the pools, I just don't see how to stop it.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by krash

Just what do you think that Rohan and company can do to these people exercising? Forbid them entrance to the pool? Fish each individual out with a hook?

I don't see a way to stop it, and I'm sure the Recreation Dept can't figure out how to stop it either. Signs forbidding it? Hah! That's like our street stop signs. Who pays attention to them? Plus, you can be darn sure that each one of these water exercisers is going to say "I pay my amenity fee, I can use the pool as I want"

It appears that The Villages official non official policy is to NOT make waves. They haven't done anything about the seat savers and you are right Krash. What can they do? I just hate when people are selfish and arrogant and pushy and uncaring and do what THEY want, the hell with everyone else.

I just hate it. Do you hear me, you bullies?????????

I wouldn't have your job, John Rohan. I am embarrassed and sad that brassy people can walk all over others here.

[dave harris]

If there are pool rules, the following states the penalties for misuse of facilities, of course the appropriate department must take the action.


Penalty for Misuse of Facilities
or Falsification of Information:
If District Management confirms that any
misuse of facilities has occurred or
falsification of information to secure t
he ID has occurred, the following actions will
be taken*.
1. First infraction: A written letter will
be sent to the resident with infraction
details along with a follow up phone ca
ll and/or meeting to discuss the
situation.
2. Second infraction within one (1) year:
The resident’s active Guest ID
cards and/or In-Area Guest ID cards
will be deactivated for a period of six
(6) months. During the six (6) m
onth period, the household (unit/lot)
forfeits its right to be issued any Guest ID cards and/or In-Area Guest ID
cards. The six (6) month time period
will start from date
of deactivation.
After the six (6) month per
iod, the household (unit/lot) will be eligible to re-
apply for Guest ID card and In-Ar
ea Guest ID card privileges.
3. Third infraction within one (1) year:
Guest ID card and In-Area Guest ID
card privileges will be denied for the
household (unit/lot) for one (1) year
from the date of deactivation.
*
If a resident knowingly falsifies the application, the resident will be subject to infraction
number two regardless of infraction history, unless a second infraction has already
occurred, then it will be considered the third infraction

[CFrance]

[QUOTE=BonnieF;947961]I go to a neighborhood pool three times a week for one hour 9-10. There are probably 30 or so of us who enjoy exercising together. Are 30 people going to be inconvenienced because of one or two, if that, who might swim at that hour? It is our neighborhood, we like to exercise

, why would we want to travel and wait in lines for entrance at a sports pool

where you can't visit, there is no place to sit. I mean really, 3 hours from 9-10 in the morning?? We pay the same fees to live here and to have access to the pools. How about if we all worry about something more important than elderly people who enjoy each others company and like to exercise for 3 hours a week? That leaves a whole lot of time for all the complainers to swim and enjoy themselves. Has anyone ever checked how many people are at any of the pools at 9:00?[/QUOT

]because it Is the rule.

[sunnyatlast]

There's plenty that can be done.

Rec Dept workers can come by and check IDs once an hour and if they see a group of __(4)_ or more (number would have to be determined), scan their ID and tell them they have to get out of the pool or be reported and sanctioned according to the process quoted above.

[krash]

And what happens when the people IN the pool refuse to get out and show there ID's?

As for the Rec Dept workers, a lot of those jobs (those that go around and check ID's) are held by your fellow Villager neighbors. Do you really want to put them in that position, where things can get ugly?

In a different scenario.... there are lane hogs in the sports pools, who really are just there to gab with friends. There's no energy being used, as they waddle slowly back and forth, with only their gums flapping. Do we fish them out with a hook too?

Just as an FYI, I am NOT part of this exercise group and I do not use the pools. I am just giving different scenarios of possible outcomes and looking for your answers.

[raynan]

I think the problem is that they need more sports pools. IMHO they underestimated the amount of people who need water exercise because of our joints wearing out. The sports pools are overcrowded and classes are full.

[tommy steam]

Looks like the villages is becoming a place where I can make my own rules to suite myself.

[dotti105]

I have just spent 40 minutes reading this entire thread and I am amazed and appalled at those who defend this activity.

I will be contacting Mr Rohan. This group aerobics is totally unacceptable for neighborhood pools. The sports pools are beautifully designed and available for this activity. The rules and purposes of each type of pool is very clear.

It is very unfortunate that there are so many people who think the rules only apply to other people. Bullying is bullying and those who don't see themselves as bullies in this situation are simply selfish or ignorant.

The neighborhood pools are too small for any organized aerobic activity. This is simply a clique whose members think that there is safety in numbers and they can out number those there for the intended purpose: Leisure. It is simply inappropriate. Period.

[VT2TV]

Originally Posted by krash

And what happens when the people IN the pool refuse to get out and show there ID's?

As for the Rec Dept workers, a lot of those jobs (those that go around and check ID's) are held by your fellow Villager neighbors. Do you really want to put them in that position, where things can get ugly?

In a different scenario.... there are lane hogs in the sports pools, who really are just there to gab with friends. There's no energy being used, as they waddle slowly back and forth, with only their gums flapping. Do we fish them out with a hook too?

Are you really going to refuse a request from someone in a position of authority???? Why would you even think of doing that. Every single person who lives here were told the rules, or that there were rules about usage of certain areas. Why did you move here if you were not going to follow the established rules. If you want to change them, go about it in the proper manner, don't just decide that they don't apply to you. Whether the pools are crowded or busy at a certain time doesn't matter-they are all designated to be quite, relaxing areas for people to just chill, and not be bothered by splashing. From the tone of some people's responses, I have to agree with the poster who talked about bullying. If 30 people were in the pool splashing, doing aerobics, and 10 mins later, someone came into the pool and politely asked them to go to the sports pool, what would you think the responses would be???????? Our "hometown" is getting bigger and bigger, and if people are going to try to change the rules, this is going to turn into our own "me against you" or "us against them" , and no one is going to be happy. I have only been here 4 years, but we didn't have any of this kind of stuff even as recent as then-some upset about seat savers, but that is all I remember. Others may have different memories.

Originally Posted by dotti105

I have just spent 40 minutes reading this entire thread and I am amazed and appalled at those who defend this activity.

I will be contacting Mr Rohan. This group aerobics is totally unacceptable for neighborhood pools. The sports pools are beautifully designed and available for this activity. The rules and purposes of each type of pool is very clear.

It is very unfortunate that there are so many people who think the rules only apply to other people. Bullying is bullying and those who don't see themselves as bullies in this situation are simply selfish or ignorant.

The neighborhood pools are too small for any organized aerobic activity. This is simply a clique whose members think that there is safety in numbers and they can out number those there for the intended purpose: Leisure. It is simply inappropriate. Period.

Totally agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[niftynanna]

I agree that the sports pools are designated for water activities, however, the snow birds aren't even here yet and having to go an hr or so early and get a number to stand in line takes all the fun out of it.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by niftynanna

I agree that the sports pools are designated for water activities, however, the snow birds aren't even here yet and having to go an hr or so early and get a number to stand in line takes all the fun out of it.

So that makes it okay for you to take all the fun out of it for the people wishing to use the adult pools for their intended purpose? A lot of posters still are not seeing past themselves and their own wishes, regardless of the rules.