water arobics in neighborhood pools
 

Why is there such a stink about a group of friends being at a pool at the same time?
I have seen many groups at the pools, clowning around, without bothering anyone. No one seems to care about this.
Who is behind the complaints and what is the reaason?

Hi there. Did you just return?

no, have been here, just interested as to why all the stink.

Have you read all the previous posts? They pretty much answer your questions.
(This thread has been inactive since June, so not a lot of recent comments.)

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?

My husband and I go to the neighborhood pool with water weights... we stand in one place and do arm exercises. Well, I guess that's out... because that's considered exercise. I will also tell the people in our neighborhood pool who walk to get some exercise while we are all talking to go to the sports pool... because exercise isn't allowed. Really?? If there was a "class" in our pool I'd probably love to join them. If not, I would ignore them.

I find it amazing that people move here, agree to the rules and then decide to break the rules yet chastise those who comply. What is it about restrictions that you don't understand? Why are the rules only for others?

"Are 30 people going to be inconvenienced because of one or two, if that, who might swim at that hour?"

Yes, because this is taking over a pool and bullying out individuals who want to swim and relax, not be pushed around by playground bullies.

What brazen GALL!

The point is very simple. If one person, or a group of persons, is permitted to ignore the rules, then any other person, or group of persons has to be allowed to ignore the rules as well.
So another group of 30 buddies decides they want to use the neighborhood adult pool for water aerobics as well, from 9 to 10 on the days the first group is not using the pool. Next a couple of men's water volleyball teams decides they'd like to use the same pool for practice sessions since times available at the sports pool are not convenient. So they set up a net and occupy the pool daily from noon til 1 pm. Then some grandparents decide to bring their preschool grandchildren to the adult pool because it's much closer than the designated family pool. Who could object, cause it's only 2 kids and they're only here one week/year.
And so on and so forth. The concept of a neighborhood adult pool for relaxing is totally lost.
Don't really understand why the special people find this so difficult to understand.

With the many groups having water aerobics in even more neighborhood pools than you have mentioned, it is estimated that over 300 or more residence each morning are participating in these neighborhood pool activities, and I am one of them! maybe think of the 300 over yourself and YOU having to miss an hour of pool time for yourself in the early morning. YOU have the rest of the day to use the pool. Maybe also consider joining in with your fellow villagers, its a lot of fun and you could make a friend or get some exercise.

Rules are rules. If you don't like the rules, take whatever action/procedure is needed to change the rules. Breaking the rules, complaining about the rules, and fighting about the rules may be therapeutic, but won't change the fact the rules are in place.

pool info
 

Interesting thread....Rules ...some like them some hate them....

I will be a first time renter....
sorts pools,neighborhood pools,family pools....are they all labeled as such?...
how do I know where each type pool is..........is there enough room in each pool for an activity and non activity?.....is there signage stating the rules for each pool..........

I want to believe that most folks in The Villages would follow the rules.

thanks for any info

When you get here get a map it will show neighbor pools, family pools and sports pools are at the regional centers. There will be multiple pools near you

Like I said yesterday, why all the stink. Some are saying to follow the rules, does any one know all the rules?I seem to remember reading in the local paper that the director said that " there no rules against this"

Well then, knock yourselves out. Just climb in and take over most of the space in whatever pool that your group is commandeering for that day and hour, three times a week. That is o.k. The rest of us will find somewhere else to go. There are a lot of other things to do and no one is going to challenge a group of 30 people hogging the pool.

I haven't encountered this attitude but I would not like it if I did. I would say...

That stinks."

We rent our house and in the welcome instructions we send to the guest 3 weeks before arrival, we provide them with this link:
VCDD Recreation
It may be removed by the moderator, but it's the districtgov.org and relates to recreation. (Thank you Boggie Shooter for your wealth of knowledge and willingness to share with us)

We also print a notebook with all the information we've found, from where to play pickleball, fishing locations, to how to rent a rec center. Ask the person you rented from the questions you have. They can be a wealth of knowledge.

There is signage stating the rules at the pools. We have had the luxury of being in The Villages pools very little, but when there, we have seen someone that is an employee walking around the pool. We found them to be very friendly and more than willing to answer questions.

I know on this site many say the people are grumpy. You will run into grumpy people no matter where you go. We have found the people extremely friendly, helpful, and so willing to help. Ask someone wherever you go if you have a question. I can't promise they will be nice, but try again and you will find the kind soul.

Enjoy yourself and everything The Villages has to offer.

No comment. Totally worthless thread. Nothing will be settled.

Nothing may be settled as you say, but sometimes it is just as therapeutic to get things that bother you out.

These are neighborhood CLIQUES and nothing more. Individuals--especially newcomers--are not going to attempt to barge into a clique gossip session with 30 people packed into swimming space that comfortably fits no more than 12 to 15.

Cliques bullying and running community pools are not what grownups move here for.

For those who want to relax amongst mature adults, if you want to spend a little bit extra, the country club pools upgrade puts you with people who are relaxing quietly and not bothering others with loud talk/gossip, and the behavior at the country club pools is more like it is at vacation resort hotels. That helps to avoid those who are too cheap to pay for the upgrade and arrogantly take over a neighborhood pool.

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!"

I gave up on the pools when my grandson was three. He and I were enjoying a FAMILY pool when a large group of adults came in. I was told, very nicely, that they were going to do their morning exercises now and would we mind going to another pool. When I asked the rec person to do something, I got a shrug of the shoulders. So, I quit using the pools. I refuse to let my grandson learn that a group is more important than an individual or that doing the right thing can be countermanded by a majority.

Maybe think of following the rules you agreed to in writing over yourself and the 300 others ignoring the rules!

I wrote to the rec center about the problem, and they gave me a non answer. Apparently they do not want to deal with the rules infraction. If more people complained, as was the case in the dogs vs Tamarind Grove park, they might address the problem. It's a management problem that needs to be addressed from the top. John Rohan's email address is further back in this thread. Make your voice heard!

where are these rules?
 

There is a pool rules sign by our pool that says nothing about group exercises.

I try to go to our small neighborhood pool to use my water weights and do exercises. I am usually the only one from our neighborhood. I often have to stay in a corner to exercise because it is so crowded and gets quite noisy, but that is ok. Most people there come from another village which is fine. I think it is interesting that they have said that their pools are too loud or cliquish.

I suspect that these exercise groups are just neighbors wanting to get together, visit, and exercise to boot. Unless there is posted signage, they aren't doing anything wrong.

No. That isn't what I said or was even suggesting. I think groups taking over pools is selfish on their part.:wave:


Here is the email address of the head of the recreation department in The Villages.

john.rohan@districtgov.org

Bump

Bump

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.

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.

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.

rules
 

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

[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.

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.

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.

More sports pools needed.
 

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.

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

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.

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.





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

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.