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DHARA COVID-19 Update – May 7, 2020

Dear DHARA Members,

As we continue navigating the COVID-19 crisis as a community, we wanted to update you on where we currently stand. We also ask for your patience and understanding as we make our way through this unprecedented time. This will not be a normal season. We won’t have answers for every question, and there’s much we don’t know at this point. We encourage you to work with us as we plan and adjust over the coming months.

We are closely monitoring news and guidance from the state. The Governor’s Stay at Home order currently runs through June 10. On May 4, Governor Northam released high level guidelines for reopening Virginia, which includes several phases. There are no details on what phase pools may fall into. Therefore, we do not know when the state will permit pools to open. It also appears, for now, that once pools are permitted to open, there will be some level of restriction on the number of people allowed at the pool, as well as other possible guidelines or recommendations.

While we wait for further guidance from the state, we are taking steps to prepare the pool to open as soon as it is deemed safe to do so. Unfortunately, some necessary steps are outside of the board’s control, including obtaining needed permits. Moreover, the board is making its own determinations regarding the safety of our community. As such, it is possible that the pool may not open immediately after the state determines that it is free to do so. Please watch your email and the website for further updates.

Here’s an overview of steps that are being taken:

  • The board has convened a task group, along with the pool manager, to discuss options for our potential opening. This includes plans and policies for member and staff safety and, if we are restricted in the number of individuals permitted to be at the pool at any given time, equitable and manageable plans and policies for both our members’ access and our staff. As we know more, we’ll share those plans.

  • Our pool manager also is communicating with colleagues at other pools, and we’re reaching out to other nearby pool boards.

  • We continue to take practical steps toward an eventual opening. The pool has been drained, cleaned, and refilled. The project to rebuild the pump room is completed, along with the project to stop erosion under the deck. The pool manager has been working on staffing for the pool. And new furniture or refreshed furniture is in place.

  • Grounds clean-up has started, though normally about this time we would have had our grounds clean-up day. We do still NEED your help to get things ready though. Please learn more and sign up to help on specific tasks, with social distancing measures in place.

Finally, stay tuned for further updates over the coming weeks as we have more to share. In the meantime, please stay well and healthy.

Best to all,

The DHARA Board

DHARA – April 4 COVID-19 Update

Dear members,

The DHARA Board continues to closely monitor developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our primary concerns continue to be the health and well-being of our members and employees. Any changes to the information listed below will be based on the guidelines and recommendations set out by Arlington County, the State of Virginia and the CDC. 

It has become clear that we are unable to open on May 9, and we’re unable at this time to provide a firm opening date for the pool. We are, however, continuing to go through our regular opening checklists and planning so that when that time comes, we are able to open as quickly as possible.

We have suspended all community house rentals for the foreseeable future and are in touch with our recurring renters to discuss details.

Consistent with state guidance, DHARA’s winter swim program remains suspended for the time being. 

The spring clean-up day has also been postponed until a date that is to be determined.

The board will continue to actively monitor COVID-19 developments and assess necessary steps as information becomes available. Given the quickly changing situation, the board has added an additional meeting on April 23 so that we can adjust our plans as needed. 

We recognize that these are difficult times, and we will keep you all as updated as possible. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we continue to monitor events. Any questions may be directed to info@dominionhills.org.

Please stay well,

  • The DHARA Board

DHARA COVID-19 Update – March 15, 2020

The DHARA Board, in consultation with our manager, is closely monitoring developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our primary concern is the health of our members and employees.

Because the pool is currently closed for the season, COVID-19 is having a limited impact on our facilities. That said, the Board discussed the situation at length during our March Board meeting.

In light of current developments, the Board decided to suspend all rentals of the community house through April 5.  We are in touch with our recurring renters to discuss the details.

In addition, the county has closed Arlington Public Swimming Pools effective Saturday, March 14 until April 13.  As a result, DHARA’s winter swim program is suspended as well. The winter swim coordinator is reaching out with more details.

We will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments and assess necessary changes as information becomes available. We also will revisit any implications for DHARA during our next Board meeting, scheduled for April 2.

We recognize that these are difficult times. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to monitor events.  Any questions may be directed to info@dominionhills.org.

Please stay well,

The DHARA Board

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