Common Ground Swimiming Pool

Started by NormanG • 14 replies • 1820 views

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NormanG (Arizona)
Posts: 38

Posted:

In general terms(I guess), how ARE the rules for the use of the swimming pool enforced? A person generally has to have a key to get into the gated swimming pool. I see people drive up.. park... go directly to the swimming pool and when finished, they leave. They must have a key by some means.. perhaps a friend who lives at the complex had an extra one made and gave it out to friends to come in at their respective discretions. In some ways, it would be ludicrous to HIRE a guard JUST for the swimming pool. How is this handled in other areas?

NormanG (Arizona)
Posts: 38

Posted:

At the same time.. It would be a somewhat difficult thing to "police". Who would go up to a suspicious person and ask them for...what? and yet, the occupants of the compound(if I can call it that) have to pay for the clean up. There must be some way to weed out those who are not eligible to go in

JonD1
Posts: 2,350

Posted:

Very simple hire a pool attendant to monitor who comes and goes at the pool.

This way you could have them check in and out when using the pool.

The cost would be minimal and prevent those not entitled from using your facilities.

KentS (Maryland)
Posts: 12

Posted:

Replace your pool locks with MEDCO locks which prevent the keys from being copied and control the number of keys issued to each family. These are expensive to reproduce so that alone may prevent the owners from using the "lost key" excuse. Then you can issue ID cards of family members eligible for pool use (with pictures for ID). Guests would need to be accompnied by an eligible family member. Pool attendents would need to validate cards.

BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640

Posted:

Norman:

My experience with keys is that over time they get copied, "lost", or whatever and someone of multiple someones end up with copies that don't need them. I think changing locks every 7-10 years should be an expected expense.

RickR3 (California)
Posts: 42

Posted:

We had the same issue, we installed a card key system, this has stopped the use by non residents. If a resident leaves and takes their key we simply disable it. We charge a high amount for new keys so we very seldom get the lost key syndrome.

CharlesW1 (Georgia)
Posts: 826

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By RickR3 on 05/29/2007 7:36 AM
We had the same issue, we installed a card key system, this has stopped the use by non residents. If a resident leaves and takes their key we simply disable it. We charge a high amount for new keys so we very seldom get the lost key syndrome.

NormanG

I have read the previously posted responses. Our association last year had a “Forbes” magnetic key card installed, which has been absolutely the best investment we could have made. It’s rather expensive up front, but there is hardly any future expense.

We have complete control on who enter the gate using the access card. The reader identifies the card each time it is used. The only problem we have discover is that many homeowners will hold the gate for one another, some (not all) shouldn’t be using any of the amenities, but once we find out that they were in the areas with out permission their card is deactivated immediately, with a click on a button.

We also have volunteers with in the community that has stepped up in be involved in the “pool committee” this has been very successful for several years.

We issued ever LOT an access card in our sub-division. The card stays with the lot, even when being sold the new HO should receive the card, unfortunately if they didn’t receive it from the previous HO they must pay $25.00 for a new one. At which point we will activate it, if their assessment, fines and account is clear, therefore making them a member in good standings.

We require all homeowners to complete and sub-mit a pool registration form, every year (any changes) before being activated, allowing time for the board to check to see if in fact they are a memeber in good standings or not. (See pool registration form attacheded)

If you are interested in the “Forbes” system, contact me further. I can put together the information you would need, to get started.

Best of luck and certainly keep us posted
Chuck W.

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Charles E. Wafer Jr.

JM2 (Oregon)
Posts: 439

Posted:

Hi Norman:

Another good system is a key-fob system from Elite; it picks up the fob from proximity sensors and therefore can pretty much keep track of who's going in and out with fobs. You can download a record from the controller.

JPM

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

I'm not sure how your area is laid out, but how do you know that people aren't just driving their cars to the pool, and then driving back home or off to friends' houses, etc., after they swim? We don't have a pool, but we do have a very large pond where residents can fish, picnic, etc. Most of us in the outer section of the subdivision drive our cars there instead of walk. Granted, I could use a daily walk for sure, but, just too old and lazy I guess!! lol

PatrickH (California)
Posts: 204

Posted:

Norman, We have two security systems at our pool, a fob access system and four video cameras. They work great together. If the cameras record something unusal, a bunch of small children swimming with no adult supervision or someone bringing their dog in for a swim, we can find out which fob they used for access and write a letter to the family. Once people know that everything is being recorded, they're more likely to follow the rules.

You do need some type of clubhouse building nearby to store and power the systems. They're really not too expensive. Our security camera system cost about $ 2,500 four years ago, I'm sure the prices on all the hardware have dropped since then.

The fob system cost about $ 1,800 last year, not including the fobs themselves. The fobs are actually pretty expensive, about $ 8-9 each. That can add up if you're ordering several hundred!

Once everything is installed, the only operating cost is the electricity to run them. We have a VCR that records the cameras, newer systems often use a hard drive recorder, so we buy a new box of 10 videotapes every spring. Other than that, neither system has required any repairs or service.

NormanG (Arizona)
Posts: 38

Posted:

Thanks much for all the input.. I can see that it could possibly be a problem to enforce the removal of unauthorized persons but it will have to be done regardless... Your INPUTS are helpful !!!

GeraldineM (South Carolina)
Posts: 3

Posted:

How much does it cost to install and operate a pool key card system? we are trying to control the amount of nonresidents using our pool as well as get a feel for the times of day with the most usage. What can you tell me about the system you installed? Thank you! GeraldineM

DwightT (Idaho)
Posts: 664

Posted:

We just had an access control and video monitoring system installed at our pool. The access control system replaced one that was there before, so the installation was a little easier than replacing a key-only system. The combined cost was about $10K, but I believe the access control part was only about $4K.

The access control system is from S2 Security: http://www.s2sys.com/ (I hope that doesn't violate posting guidelines). The ID panel is both a card reader and a keypad. We are currently only using the keypad (individual access codes assigned to each homeowner), but we may switch to issuing keycards next year because of issues with codes being shared with non-residents. The system can be configured over the internet, which with our recent issues with the diaper brigade has been a real benefit: as soon as I get a report of feces in the pool, I can access the system from any internet computer and disable all homeowner access, yet board members and pool maintenance personnel can still have access.

The system also keeps an access history, so I can see who was there when a problem occurs and if necessary disable an individual homeowner's access code. This should also give you the usage info that you are looking for.

There are less expensive systems available, but I feel that this system has been well worth the money.

PatrickH (California)
Posts: 204

Posted:

Geraldine,

Our fob access system cost about $ 5,500, but the fobs are the most expensive part. They cost about $ 8 each and we bought 400 of them. We went with fobs over cards even though the costs of cards is cheaper, about $ 4 per card.

The fob reader that is mounted to the gate has no moving parts and doesn't have to be touched by the fob, it reads the fob when the fob is held about six inches in front of the reader. Our concern with the card system is that the cards have to be swiped through the reader like a credit card. The card reader requires regular maintenance and can be disabled by weather or someone messing around with it.

Since our pool has only one gate, we wanted something that would be as reliable as possible, especially on weekends when a service tech isn't easy to find and the pool is being used the most. We've had ours for over a year now and it's been working flawlessly.

GloriaM (North Carolina)
Posts: 829

Posted:

Geraldine:

Do a Google search and you will find many providers of the key FOB system. We use them for many of our communities and it works well. An investment up front, but well worth it in the end.

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