Should Your HOA Reopen its Pools and Recreational Facilities?

Governor DeSantis announced this week, starting next Monday, May 4th, businesses will start opening back up steadily. Social distancing rules will still be in effect, along with wearing a mask when conducting "business to business." What does this mean for community HOAs? Particular recreational facilities, like pools, will start to open, and board members need to be ready for the "new normal."

Complying with CDC and County Regulations

The reopening of all these recreational activities is subject to compliance with the guidance from the Center for Disease Control, and particular other counties, like Broward, are still issuing higher restrictions. It’s important to make the right decision for your community, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution. In this article, we give you suggestions on how your board should make the decision to reopen or not.

Tennis courts, outdoor racket courts, and pool facilities are of particular concern for community associations. Be sure to check and see what your County's regulations are concerning:

• Single play on tennis and racket courts

• Congregating on the court or sidelines

• Locker room and shower facility openings

• Restroom policies 

In terms of community pool facilities, board members should:

• Check with the County and CDC on social distancing guidelines 

• Check pool capacity rules that might limit the capacity

Considering Your Residents and Community Spaces

Community association boards and managers could calculate the number of residents permitted at the community pool, per the County's regulations. It is essential to comply with CDC social distancing guidelines. Although the CDC Guidelines still mandate gatherings to be less than ten people, it may depend on the size of the pool area. HOA boards may have to further reduce the number of people at the pool at one time. 

Could these regulations limit the time residents use the tennis, racquet, or the community pool to allow other residents the time to use them? These are the types of questions that HOAs must consider before leaping too soon to reopen. 

Like tennis and racquet courts, the same restrictions could apply to locker rooms, shower facilities, and restrooms. Here again, association boards and managers may have to measure out six (6) feet between pool furniture to comply with CDC social distancing guidelines. However, do these rules apply to individuals who are part of the same family?

Monitoring Facilities for Compliance

Association board members may also have to monitor individual facilities for them to be open. Again, it is essential to check your County's website to see if this is a mandate. As a board member, you should ask yourself:

• Does your community have enough personnel to monitor the facility?

• Is your community prepared to clean and sanitize the restrooms and pool furniture regularly?

• What impact will this have on community budgets?

We Are Here for Our Board Members

Before you decide to open your facilities back up, it is crucial that you ask yourselves the above questions. We strongly recommend that before any community associations reopen, board members consult with their property manager at Condominium Associates. The liability associated with opening and risking compliance could be a costly misstep for the community and beyond.