Pool and hot tub closure

Started by SteveB38 • 8 replies • 424 views

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SteveB38 (California)
Posts: 1

Posted:

I am a new member at my community for just over a year and have a question or maybe someone can give me some experiences or insight on Hot tub closure in winter.?
The community HOA directors I guess have decided to close the Hot tub and Pool in the winter months her in Watsonville California. It seems it goes against the whole nature of having hot tub and pool in a community center as it is the hub and place to unwind.
Has anyone had this experience of a clubhouse basicly closed for half the year?
cheers
steve

ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 4,420

Posted:

-- I would bet this is being done for budget reasons: The board is trying to reduce expenses and avoid increasing assessments by the amount needed to operate the pool and spa in winter-fall-early spring. Do remember that operating expenses have sky-rocketed in recent years. Insurance premiums in particular have typically doubled to tripled for California, Florida and Texas HOAs.

-- Would you be okay paying a larger assessment so you had year-round use of the pool? If so, then I hear you. If not, then I think this answers your concern.

-- Covenants nearly always give the board the right to make reasonable rules about the use of common elements such as HOA-owned pools and spas.

-- Does you HOA's Declaration say the pool and spa must be open 365 days a year? I am betting not.

-- If the Declaration has no requirement for the pool and spa to be open year-round, then your best option by far is to run for the board with people who feel as you do. If elected, be ready to vote for an assessment increase.

-- One other thing: In California there are statutory rules about how much the assessments may rise. For example, see https://www.davis-stirling.com/HOME/H/HOA-Assessment-Increase-Limitations. It's entirely possible the board is between a rock and a hard spot and could not, without an owners' vote, increase the assessment so the HOA can keep the pool and spa open year-round.

-- It's a lot of work setting the budget and planning for reserves. Respectfully, do study up and ask lots of questions before making any judgement about the board's competency to make financial decisions.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

I'm with Elle that it is likely a budgetary issue.

If lifeguards are provided, it could also be a labor issue.

My suggestion: Ask your Board why.

Explain, as you have done here, that you are new to the development and am curious about the reasons behind closing those amenities.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Sure, of course, Steve, the reason HOA Board close pools & hot tubs is to save $ on heating them & running thier pumps & motor.and save wear & tear, so also a maintenance decisions.

I've heard of many HOAs closing some or all of those facilities on thier premises. Some giant HOAs in desert resort regions and many pools and close some in the winter.

Having lived in Santa Cruz off & on for many years, I know your Watsonville winters can get plenty chilly- especially the farther your HOA is from the coast.

Take Tim's advice and politely ask the Board at tits next open board meeting. How many homes or condos are in your HOA. They already or will have a meeting to explain the budget for '24 to Owrs so make sure you attend.

But the clubhouse??? I don't get why they would close it, if that's what you're saying. Why? Is it the only way to access the pool * spa???

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

A previous board in my community voted to close the pool for the winter because one mentally unstable homeowner was bringing homeless people in
iff the street to use the facilities, showers and such. He was leaving the pool gate ajar and gave out the residential gate code to the neighborhood homeless.

I've been on the board for a few years and there is honestly no significant operating savings overall, gas for the heater, electric and pool maintenance combined.
Granted the pool gets a ton of use in the summer and the pool vendor cleans it 4-5 times a week in the summer and once a week in the winter if the pool is
open or closed.

Since I have been on the board we have disciplined the aforementioned owner on a few occasions and followed our fining process to a T.
Even after Covid, we have left the pool open in the winter and there has been zero issues.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

LetA reminds us of another reason why some HOAs might close their pools--trespassers, vandalism, plus, possibly, legitimate users regularly refusing to follow the pool rules.

(sorry about my many typos above)

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By KerryL1 on 10/19/2023 10:34 AM
LetA reminds us of another reason why some HOAs might close their pools--trespassers, vandalism, plus, possibly, legitimate users regularly refusing to follow the pool rules.

(sorry about my many typos above)

AKA Lazy board members that refuse to do their duty and lets the entire community suffer because of one PITA owner.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

It is well within the authority of a BOD to dictate open and closing of associations amenities. If you different hours either appeal to the BOD or replace BOD members with those that agree with you.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

Have you read previous board meeting minutes or reviewed the monthly income/expense statements? You may see conversation on the pool and hot tub expenses and efforts to control costs. Remember, there are more expenses then the pool and the board is obligated to manage association assessments in a way that everything's paid on time. Since assessments pay for everything, homeowners have to be willing to pay the costs, and if they don't assessments increased for this, reducing services is what you get.

You didn't say if you're new to living in a HOA - if so, these are the kinds of things that will come up, so it's important to stay informed on the reasons behind the board's decision-making. That includes attending a meeting once in a while (at least the annual meeting), and it's ok to ask questions or make suggestions. In fact, if this is a budget issue, offer to do some research for the board on how they might be able to stay open. Would solar heating be possible? Reducing pool hours or only opening it on weekends (it's getting cooler anyway and people will be inside)? Does the pool or spa (or both) need costly repairs and someone may need to look around for contractors to do the work at a competitive price?

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

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