Dear members,

Please join us on February 20 at 7:30pm for a special membership meeting to discuss DHARA’s long-term planning projects and proposed assessment for the 2024 season.

In 2021 we started an in-depth process to develop a plan for our aging facilities and to better utilize our property. Determining whether an additional pool could be placed on our existing grounds or our neighboring Inscoe property has been a central component of this process.

An additional pool would serve two main purposes: 1) it would provide more modern and accessible facilities to improve the membership experience and; 2) it would prevent DHARA from having to close for one or more seasons if/when our existing 1950s pool foundation must be replaced or significantly rebuilt.

We have been able to use existing organization funds to contract with Studio3, a highly recommended architectural firm in Reston, to complete a site evaluation. We are pleased to report there are multiple areas on the DH and Inscoe properties that are suitable for an additional pool!

Continuing this process would require a substantial new investment to proceed with choosing a site, conducting the required environmental and land assessments, and receiving authorization from Arlington County for an initial facility plan. Studio3 has provided a quote of roughly $250,000 for these services.

We are proposing a 2024 assessment of $500 per membership to help cover these costs. The assessment would be paid in March, along with regular 2024 dues.

We do not propose this fee lightly. If the assessment is approved, we plan to proceed on a component-by-component basis for this project in order to credit a portion of this amount back if membership decides to terminate the process at any point. If we complete the items listed above, we could proceed to the development of full architectural plans that could be permitted and bid out for construction. We have been informed that we could likely build expenses for the design and permitting phase into an overall construction loan.

At our meeting, we will discuss the planning process so far, potential pool sites, and next steps. And of course, we will be able to respond to any member questions and concerns. Please check your email for the Zoom link for the February 20 meeting, members can vote in advance on the assessment at this link:  VOTE HERE

All the best,
Your DH Board of Directors

DHARA Members,

This year the board has continued to examine how we can best serve our members. The board has identified room for improvement with respect to communications, website, and membership services. DHARA only has a handful of paid administrative positions that support running the pool which include our pool manager, membership recorder, and contracted accounting. We are currently in the process of expanding the membership recorder role to include new responsibilities.

Starting next year, the membership recorder role will handle many tasks that were unaccounted for or managed by board members and volunteers. This is a seasonal position with the busiest months being those that lead up to the swim season. We are beginning a job search for this position and wanted to offer this to pool members and friends first, before posting widely.

The job posting can be found on our DH website at: (https://dominionhills.org/about/board/dhara-membership-and-pool-administrator-application/).   We are looking to make a hiring decision by early to mid February 2024, interested parties should apply by 1/15/2024.

We look forward to continuing to serve the DH community. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns at: treasurer@dominionhills.org.