After Governor Kemp’s updated guidelines on May 13, the Huntington West Board posted an announcement that the pool would remain closed until it could be opened safely. The announcement was posted on the official Huntington West Facebook page, on the official Huntington West website (hwhoa.org) and an email blast was sent to all homeowners who have registered email addresses. The Board subsequently received news from Sweetwater Pools that the Georgia Department of Health (the department that regulates the operation of public pools) had later issued clarifications and mitigation measures required for safe operation of public pools in Georgia. The mitigation measures were developed based on the Governor’s executive order and CDC guidelines to stop the spread of COVID19. Contrary to sentiments posted on social media by a very few homeowners, Board members immediately began to collaborate daily and work with Sweetwater, lawyers and insurance agents to develop the procedures required for safe operation of our pool. A maximum of 50 (fifty) individuals, including children, will be permitted in the pool enclosure at one time to meet the social distancing guidelines still in effect. Our goal is to open the pool by May 30, but our hope is to be able to have all the required procedures in place to be able to open sooner, if possible. This is all new territory for homeowners and for our Board, so we thank you for your continued patience. COVID19 news seems to change almost daily. We don’t anticipate any further delays, but please be aware there is still that possibility. Key cards will be activated only after the pool is ready to be opened and only for members with fees paid and a signed a waiver on record.

In order to comply with Georgia Department of Public Health guidelines and to ensure social distancing limitations are maintained at all times, our HOA has chosen to utilize CourtReserve as a system for members to sign up and reserve blocks of time at our pool. Only HOA members in good standing with reservations will be permitted to visit the pool at the designated times. Failure to follow the reservations guidelines may result in deactivation of the member’s key card. Initially, blocks of pool time or “events” will be limited to 3 hour blocks on weekdays/2 hour blocks on weekends and holidays. Members will be limited to one reservation every other day, until we have a clear view of demand and participation levels – modifications will be made accordingly and a wait list will be created for available “events” that open up in real-time. The CourtReserve system is available online and as a mobile app. If you have not registered your email address on the Huntington West website (hwhoa.org), you will need to send your name and address to hwhoaboard@gmail.com to receive the link for CourtReserve.

Please be patient and flexible as we work through the challenges of implementing the reservations system. We realize many homeowners are eager to visit the pool, but please remember everyone must cooperate and follow the rules for this system to work for all members and, more importantly, to protect the health and well-being of all members. Each member of your family must exit the pool when your “event” time has expired. Additional 15 minute breaks will be scheduled between events in order for newly arriving members to clean and sanitize the selected area to occupy. A limited number of lounge chairs will be spaced around the pool decking - please maintain 6 ft. social distancing buffers from those not in your household if pool furniture is moved. NOTE: safety guidelines unrelated to COVID19 require a 4 ft. buffer around the pool perimeter decking for emergency rescue. Pool hours will be 7:30 am – 11 pm and designated adult swim hours will be suspended until further notice. Teens under 18 will not be permitted to visit the pool alone and must be accompanied by a parent or other adult family member residing in the home. Please review the previously posted pool rules now in effect until further notice:

• The Huntington West pool is and has always been a "swim at your own risk" pool - no lifeguards are available and no one will be available to monitor the pool on a regular basis once we are able to open it for Huntington West homeowners.
• Each member homeowner will be responsible for the safety and well-being of his/her family.
• Each member homeowner will be responsible for ensuring all safety and social distancing guidelines are followed. Failure to follow required safety guidelines and pool rules may result in key card deactivation and could require closing the pool.
• Only member homeowners of Huntington West and resident family members will be permitted within the pool enclosure. No guests are permitted and no pool parties will be permitted this year. Reminder: teens under 18 must be accompanied by an adult residing in the home.
• Each individual member homeowner will be responsible for bringing adequate disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizers and other cleaning supplies to protect the health and safety of your family. Each member homeowner will be responsible for making sure tables, chairs, door knobs and other areas visited by your family are wiped down thoroughly and each member of your family washes hands regularly and after using restroom facilities.
• No large floats or toys will be permitted in the pool. Lost and Found items will be disposed of properly.
• Each member homeowner will be responsible for properly disposing of food, drinks and trash in enclosed receptacles provided. The water fountain has been removed for this year.

The Huntington West HOA Board reserves the right to have Board members and other volunteers monitor the pool closely through use of CourtReserve, recorded key card access and security cameras to ensure members present at the pool are following all reservations, COVID19 safety guidelines and posted pool rules. Please understand this is not in an effort to “police” members present, but to protect the Association and to encourage members to protect each other.

Georgia Department of Public Health recommended measures are to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as handrails, doorknobs, tabletops and diaper changing tables daily. Our HOA does not have the budget to clean more than required or to provide additional supplies for individual homeowner daily use. The pool restrooms and other parts of the facility will be thoroughly cleaned twice a week and sanitized once daily. However, there is no way to assure cleanliness throughout the day while the pool and facilities are in use.

The newly expanded playground has been cleaned, but it will not be included in our daily cleaning procedures going forward. Employ good sanitizing procedures and handwashing for children using the playground. Current CDC and Health Department guidelines still require social distancing, so please use good judgment when visiting the playground.

REMINDER: Mandatory Association fees will be considered delinquent if not posted as paid by June 1. Homeowners may be surprised to learn that less than 15% of your Association fees are designated for the operation of the pool. Please contact the Board (board@hwhoa.org) if you have questions or concerns about your ability to pay fees.