Director of the Villages Recreation Department John Rohan led a spirited, upbeat meeting Friday afternoon at La Hacienda Regional Recreation Center, to discuss a proposed shade structure for La Hacienda Sports Pool.
The purpose of the meeting was to solicit input from residents who use the facility.
Rohan introduced members of the Amenities Authority Committee, who put forth the proposal: Lowell Barker, Carl Bell, Don Deakin and John Wilcox — and explained the AAC oversees amenities and related expenditures in The Villages north of County Road 466. He thanked the large group for coming out and getting involved — and encouraged them to voice their views.
Almost everyone’s hands went up when Rohan asked how many people in the nearly full Julio Iglesias room use La Hacienda Sports Pool — to which he quipped “so I guess I’m in the right meeting!”
A Power Point slide on the screen showed an example of an attractive blue fabric cover over approximately one half of a pool, but Rohan clarified, in reply to an audience query, the proposal under discussion was for a shade structure to cover the entire pool.
“This is just an example — a visual representation of a UV (ultraviolet) fabric cover,” he said.
La Hacienda sports pool was built in 1999 and renovated in 2014. Pool dimensions are 25 by 20 yards, holding approximately 135,000 gallons of water. It is open daily from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. and is supported by the AAC.
Rohan said the proposal was being made in response to resident requests for an indoor facility to be built. The side-less structure was being shown as a less expensive suggestion.
“There’s no doubt this is a very popular pool,” Rohan said, with about 84,000 users per year, including open lane and lap swimmers, water volley ball players and water aerobics classes. He said the use of open pool shade covers was increasing around not just Florida, but the whole country, and has been becoming a trend over the past few years.
Cost for a fabric cover similar to the one shown, from District Property Director, Sam Wartinbee’s office, were estimated at about $130,000 — with a 10-15 year life expectancy in Florida’s sunny weather. Placement of a cover would not require additional pool staffing and replacement cost would be about $13,500.
“The cover would be separate from the rec center building;” Rohan continued, “and the aquatic access lift, which is sanctioned by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) would stay. The cover could be dismantled and stored away in case of a hurricane.”
La Reynalda resident since 1994, Adele Cooley’s sentiments were echoed by several other long time residents and pool facilitators — namely, that they use sunscreen, hats and protective clothing, and have no further need for additional protection from the sun.
“We can look for an indoor fitness facility, swim in the evening hours, or buy into Freedom Pointe — they have a nice indoor pool,” Cooley said.
Many residents said if a covered pool was to be considered, it should be done in a more central Villages location.
Kay Mosure, long-time water aerobics instructor, said her groups enjoy the sun.
“We have fewer sports pools in the north parts of The Villages than the newer areas — and our classes fill to capacity, especially in the winter,” Mosure said. “A cover would attract many more people from other parts of The Villages — and that just wouldn’t work out.”
One Villager looked at it strictly from an engineering perspective.
“We’ve heard a lot of emotion expressed here,” Santo Domingo resident and retired engineer Chuck Bondar said. “But let’s look at the engineering aspects. La Hacienda was not originally built to have a cover — it doesn’t have the infrastructure. To cover a pool, you need a dome with buttressing, and additional drains to channel the water off of any cover. This looks like an umbrella. The costs of this thing would wind up being much higher than these estimates, and with our severe storms and strong sun, it would wear out much more quickly.”
Bondar offered to share his experience and expertise with officials, if they wish.
Other suggestions for La Hacienda pool included raising winter water temperature a degree or two; fixing locker room and shower floors to be less slippery, and building a poolside pavilion for swimmers to get dry and relax in shady comfort. On that note, 24-year resident and Pink Saint water group member, Judy Davis, suggested copying the poolside building at the Southside Pool on the Historic Side of The Villages. Water Buffalo, Al Curry, suggested a few poolside tents.
Rohan summarized Villagers suggestions and thanked everyone for sharing their opinions.
“We will consider all the ideas, work with them, and get back with the AAC, who is charged with doing this,” he said, “and thank you for listening to everyone’s input in a positive and respectful manner.”
Residents seemed happy with John Rohan’s efforts as they left the productive meeting, but Santo Domingo Villagers, Ed and Joan Rizzo’s sign summed it all up: “Leave the Hacienda Pool Topless.”
