Signup Links for Week of Sept 20 PLUS Sunday Sept 27

Dear DHARA members:

Below are the Signup Genius reservation links for the week of Sept. 20-26 AND Sunday, September 27. This is our last open week of 2020, so get a dip in while you can! We will have further communications coming out soon to recap the season but from all of us to all of you, thank you for the patience and understanding this year.

Two-stage Process for Reservations

  • Registration opens at 9pm Thursday, September 17. Members initially will be allowed to make no more than one family swim reservation and one lap swim reservation.
  • On Saturday, September 19, around 10am, we’ll update these registration limits. Members then can book a second family swim reservation and up to one additional lap swim reservation for the week, choosing from available slots.
  • Use this special code for Signup Genius: dh2020 (do not share with non-members). When you sign up, use your first and last name, list any family members coming with you, and your DHARA Membership number (all required).

Reminders & Other Updates

  • Drop-in/walk-in options are still available (during lap swim times).
  • If you are unable to make your reservation, please cancel 12- 24 hours in advance if possible, so others might use the pool.
  • Our final day of the 2020 season will be Sunday, September 27 (and we’ll close at 5:15).
  • View current operating hours (toward bottom of the webpage).

The DHARA Board

Updates & Signup Links, Aug. 26

Below are the SignupGenius reservation links for the week of Aug 30 – Sept 5. Please remember that this summer guests are not allowed, and members of different households cannot share the same family swim reservation.

Two-stage Process for Reservations

  • Registration opens at 9pm Thursday, August 27. Members initially will be allowed to make no more than one family swim reservation and one lap swim reservation.
  • On Saturday, August 29, around 10am, we’ll update these registration limits. Members then can book a second family swim reservation and up to two additional lap swim reservations for the week, choosing from available slots.
  • Note: Use this special code for Signup Genius: dh2020 (do not share with non-members). When you sign up, use your first and last name, list any family members coming with you, and your DHARA Membership number (all required).

Reminders & Other Updates

  • Check out our many drop-in/walk-in options throughout the week.
  • If you are unable to make your reservation, please cancel 12- 24 hours in advance if possible, so others might use the pool. We’ve had a number of no-shows, and this leaves valuable pool time unused. We have also started monitoring no-shows.
  • In the next week, we’ll share our more limited September hours, which begin after Labor Day and continue until the last weekend in September.

The DHARA Board

Reservations and updates for the week of July 26

Make a Reservation for the Week of July 26

Note: Signups go live at 10PM tonight – This will be the same every Thursday before each new week begins (the weeks still run Sunday through Saturday).

Signup Reminders

  • When you access the Signup Genius links, you will need to use a special code (you must be logged in to view the code using the this link).
  • When you sign up, use your first and last name, list any family members coming with you, and your DHARA Membership number (all required).
  • Going forward, links to the reservation pages will be posted on the Dominion Hills website.
  • If you can’t make your lap or family swim reservation, please cancel/delete it, from your Signup Genius confirmation email. This helps ensure empty spots can be rebooked and used by those eager to enjoy the pool.

Buddy in Your Lane – New Lap Swim Option

To provide additional lap swimming opportunities, we will allow members who sign up for lap lanes to share their lane with one other member.  For example:

  • “Member Smith” can sign up and add “Member Johnson” as another swimmer when making the reservation. This will count toward the Smith’s weekly reservations but not Johnson’s. If Johnson wants to book lap times and bring Smith (or someone else), that’s okay as well.

Of course this is completely optional – you’re still welcome to have your own lane (on your own reservation). Think of it as having a “swim buddy” with whom you can share a lane, while creating room for other members to get in some additional laps! And as before, any number of swimmers from the same household may share a lane under the same reservation.

Tips for Using Signup Genius

We wanted to clarify a few items with the new SignUp Genius system we started using for Family Swim reservations:

  • When booking your reservation, choose “1” from the Quantity drop-down menu. (Choosing 2 would mean your are booking 2 reservation slots at the same time.) Quantity does not refer the number of people coming during your reservation time. If you choose 2, you will be unable to make another Family Swim reservation in the same week. See the screenshot below.

  • Please include your first and last name and, add the name(s) of family members coming along. (The front desk also will check you in when you arrive.)
  • If you need to edit (or delete/cancel) your reservation, use the links in the confirmation email you receive from SignUp Genius. Click on “Edit My Sign Up” and then follow the directions. See the screenshot below.


After clicking “Edit My Sgn Up”, you will be taken to SignUp Genius where you can update or delete your sign up. Clicking “Delete” will cancel the reservation.

  • Starting Thursday, we will use Signup Genius for Family Swim AND Lap Swim reservations, releasing slots for the week starting July 26. Reservations will go live at 10pm and the same instructions will apply for quantity selection and cancellation.

See more details in yesterday’s email. And you can always check the Dominion Hills website for the latest information

COVID-19 Phase 3 – July 12 Pool Update

Fellow members,

After reviewing our attendance by families at the pool since Phase 3 started we’ll be making some adjustments to our available family time reservation slots so we can allow everyone more time at the pool! We will be implementing the changes so that we can start with the new schedule on July 19.

Please NOTE: To keep the transition smooth we have disabled FAMILY reservations beyond July 18. If you see a date of 2021 as an available time to reserve a slot, this is a side effect of the restrictions. (You’re welcome to book for January of 2021, but you’ll have a cold swim.)

The details of our new availability are being finalized at our board’s COVID task force meeting this week and, we will send out information as soon as possible.

Thanks, and happy swimming!!

COVID-19 Phase 3 Pool Updates – June 25

Earlier this week, Governor Northam announced that every region of the Commonwealth is expected to move to Phase 3 on Wednesday, July 1. Likewise, we’re pleased to report our pool will begin our Phase 3 Procedures on July 1, along with new operating hours that incorporate swim and dive team instruction time. (Learn more about the swim team & dive team plans.)

Please keep in mind, until Phase 3 begins on July 1, we’re still operating under our Phase 2 Procedures, which do not allow free/recreational swimming.

Highlights of Our Phase 3 Procedures (Starting July 1)

  • Free/recreational swimming will be available! The state lifted the “structured exercise” requirement from Phase 3. Members from different households must still observe 10 feet of social distancing both in and out of the water. We will continue to offer 1 reservation per week/membership, but may adjust this limit in the future based on demand and utilization.
    • At least 12 available areas of the pool will be available during recreational swim times, including sectioned-off areas in the main pool, the “tank,” and the dive well. The baby pool also will be available. We’ll accept 12 household reservations during each 90-minute session.
    • Members are encouraged to rotate usage and share different parts of the pool during the 90-minute time slot — you will not have a dedicated area that is yours alone for the entire time.
  • At the 45-minute mark, the lifeguards will blow the whistle. At that time, please exit the pool area you have been using and select a different pool area that is not occupied. We also request that members reserve areas with shallower water for those members requiring access to shallower water to enjoy the pool.
  • Lap swimming-only sessions will be available in the early morning, midday, later evening, and on the weekends. We’ve also time set aside for members at higher risk, including members over 60 years old. Members will have 4 lap swim reservations per week; slightly reduced from 6 to accommodate more swimmers, and also because drop-in options now are available.
  • There’s no limit on the number of people from the same household that may share a swim lane or other area of the pool. (And we encourage families to make a single reservation and share a lane, to maximize utilization.) At this time, each swim lane or other area of the pool only may be used by a single household at a time.
  • The drop-in/walk-up policy will continue on a first come/first served basis. NOTE: Effective Friday June 26, drop-in users during household exercise time or, during Phase 3, recreational swim time will be granted access to the pool 15 minutes after the start of the time slot.This will help ensure people with a reservation have an area of their choosing, particularly important for those with young kids or lap swimmers. Any reservation made will be honored, right up to the last minutes.
  • In addition, we have a new policy on recreational swim reservations impacted by pool closings due to weather.

See the detailed Phase 3 Procedures and hours of operation starting on July 1.

Reservations

Keep informed

As the summer progresses, we expect to make additional adjustments based on pool usage, state and local guidance, and member feedback. COVID-19 has resulted in a highly unusual summer. We continue to rely on your patience and understanding.

Please keep an eye on your email for future updates. Also check the Dominion Hills website, where we always post the latest information.

Be well friends!

  • The DHARA Board

Phase 2 Updates for Lap Swim & More (June 21)

We’re sharing some important updates to our Phase 2 Guidelines. Please read this email carefully as the described policy changes impact lap swimming reservations during the coming week and require further action from those who already made reservations.

We also have exciting news regarding a new walk-up policy for open time slots. Keep in mind, we will continue to update our pool guidelines related to COVID as the summer progresses and state guidance changes. We appreciate your patience with all of this. These are challenging times for the board and pool manager, and we are trying to be as nimble and responsive as possible while maintaining a safe, enjoyable pool environment.

Lap Swim Time – Clarification & Change

During Phase 2, as in Phase 1, we intended to allow one reservation for each of our 6 lap lanes during each lap swimming time slot. This would permit 6 reservations in a given time slot. The change for Phase 2 is that up to 3 people from the same household may use the lane during the time slot. Instead, the reservation system was allowing two reservations for each lap lane during each time slot (12 reservations per time slot). This resulted in the potential for members of different households sharing a lane. This was not our intention, and we have had negative feedback from the membership about it.

To rectify this, we are reducing the number of available lap lane reservations per time slot from 12 back down to 6. This will allow the intended one household per lane during each time slot.

Below is updated/clarified Phase 2 guidance to reflect this change:

  • Up to 3 swimmers from the same family may share a lane under the same reservation. If more than one swimmer is using a lane, the swimmers must maintain 10 feet of social distance while in the pool.
  • Swimmers from different memberships/households may not share a lane.
  • As before, each membership can make 6 lap reservations per week.
  • To accommodate this change, we have had to cancel the existing lap swimming reservations for the coming week. Therefore, anyone who has a lap swimming reservation during the week of Monday, June 22, please rebook your reservations as soon as you are able.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Also, make sure to check your “My Reservations Page” before and after making reservations. If there are any discrepancies, please let us know.

Drop-in/Walk-up Now Available

Starting Monday, June 22, if there are open time slots that have not been reserved in advance, members can use the open slot(s) on a drop-in/walk-up basis, first come, first serve. This policy applies to both lap swim and household exercise slots.So, log in and keep a close eye on the reservations openings pages, which easily allow you to see when there are open time slots.

Using a time slot in this way does not count against a membership’s weekly reservation allotment.

Also, please note that any reservation made will be honored, right up to the last minute of the time slot. You are still permitted to be late to your reserved time slot.
Important Note: At the moment, we are not scheduling reservations past June 28. We expect to adjust the schedule starting June 29, to build in swim & dive team instruction. Stay tuned for details in the next couple days.

Phase 2 Update on More Options for Members (June 17)

June 17 Update

Thank you again for your patience as we continue to work to expand the services of the pool as far as state guidelines will allow. We are happy to announce some positive changes based on the recently enacted Phase 2 from the state. Here are a few highlights.

  • Along with continued designated time for dedicated lap swimming, DHARA will also open for what we are calling “household exercise.” Our DH Phase 2 starts on June 20, however, you can reserve slots now. The reservations include several 90-minute sessions per day where the entire family can come and enjoy the pool. Here are a few important guidelines relating to household exercise time.
  • Just like dedicated lap swimming, members must reserve time on our website. Initially, we are allowing one household exercise slot per week, just to make sure we don’t oversubscribe resources. This will be in addition to the 6 lap swimming reservations already in place. See Phase 2 information and reservation links.
  • There will be 12 total available areas of the pool during household exercise time:
    1. Three deep lap lanes in the main pool (near the dive well).
    2. Three shallower lap lanes in the main pool that will be roped off in three perpendicular sections.
    3. The “tank,” which will be roped off, dividing it in half.
    4. The dive well, which also will be divided into 4 sections for treading water.
    * Entire families will be able to come enjoy the pool but only three members of each family can be in the pool at the same time … and still must be socially distanced from each other (unless a parent/guardian is helping a minor swim).
  • Be aware that the state’s Phase 2 guidelines (page 23) very specifically prohibit recreational swimming and all pool activities must be structured exercise. Examples of structured exercise include lap swimming, water walking, treading water, water aerobics, use of a kick board (please bring your own), and hanging on the side of the pool while kicking.

See the full list of DHARA Phase 2 Procedures

While we look forward to transitioning to Phase 3 as soon as possible, the state has not yet released the Phase 3 guidelines. We understand that recreational swim in some form will be permitted in Phase 3, and as soon as we have the state guidance, we will begin planning. Also, stay tuned for details about swim and dive instruction, expected to start by early July.

DHARA COVID-19 & Pool Updates

Phase 1 Update
Based on how the first six days have gone with our new COVID-19 Phase 1 procedures, along with the availability of swim slots, we are making some additional adjustments to current Phase 1 lap swimming rules.

  • Effective Friday, June 12, age restrictions on lap swimming have been lifted. Consistent with existing DHARA rules, swimmers who are 9 or older can do lap swimming unaccompanied; any lap swimmer who is 8 or younger must swim with a parent, guardian or age 15 (or older) sibling in an adjacent lane on their own reservation. Any child who is signed up for lap swimming must have previously passed the DHARA swim test.
    • Please note that if any swimmer is not able to swim for the entire 30-minute reservation, they must immediately exit the premises.  Members will not be allowed to wait on the deck until the reservation time is complete.
  • Members can still reserve up to 6 lap swimming slots per membership each week. Login and register for time slots.
  • All individuals in the pool must remain 10 feet from each other at all times unless one individual is unable to swim or requires other assistance. In those situations, a single household member may assist.

Phase 2 Planning
Northern Virginia is entering Phase 2 on Friday, June 12, and the pool is preparing to implement a new plan for Phase 2 operations consistent with the state released mandatory guidelines for outdoor pools (see page 23). This new operational plan will include designated time slots for both lap swimming and family/household exercise, starting late next week. (Note: Due to the upcoming reservation system changes for Phase 2, we are not scheduling additional Phase 1 lap swimming reservations past June 19.)

The DHARA Board is also coordinating with the swim and dive teams to initiate instructional-focused team practices starting in late June/early July. We will be sharing additional details on the Phase 2 plans next week and look forward to opening opportunities for all members to attend the pool.

Stay Well!

  • The DHARA Board.

Pool Update – June 8

Phase 1 Update
The pool opened successfully for lap swimming on Saturday, June 6. Based on how the first two days went with our new COVID-19 Phase 1 procedures, along with the availability of swim slots, we are making some adjustments.

  • Effective Monday, June 8, lap swimming is now allowed for age 12 and up (vs. 15).
  • In addition, members can reserve up to 6 slots per membership each week (vs. 3). Login and register for time slots.

Survey Update
Many thanks to the more than 370+ members who responded to the Member Survey. We’ll use the member input as we plan for pool operations in Phase 2 and beyond.

What’s Next?
The rest of the state is already in Phase 2, however we don’t yet know when northern Virginia (including Arlington) will enter Phase 2. Although we aren’t yet in Phase 2, the state released mandatory guidelines for outdoor pools (scroll to page 23). A follow-up webinar also provided additional information about Phase 2. We will be looking at the Phase 2 requirements, in combination with member feedback, as we prepare for Phase 2 and beyond.

We realize many of you are eager to come enjoy the pool with your family. We hope to open the pool more broadly as soon as we can safely do so. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support as we continue to work through these challenging times.