A targeted study of identification will take place in the coming weeks at pools in The Villages, even as Recreation Director John Rohan continues to insist that “outsiders” taking an unauthorized dip are virtually non-existent.
Rohan is ramping up a multi-week study that will continue through early December. The pools where the ID checks will be taking place are not being named in advance so that no one is tipped off prior to the start of the study. The checks will be taking place at four pools in the north and four pools in the south.
“The idea is to put boots on the ground, check IDs and find out what’s going on,” Rohan told members of the Amenity Authority Committee in a meeting this week at Savannah Center.
However, Rohan continues to stand by previous data that shows non-resident use of the pools is rare.
“We are not seeing any misuse of pools at any location,” Rohan said.
He has also faced criticism for conducting the study in November and December.
AAC member Don Deakin said that summer is the peak season for pool usage.
“I am concerned about the time frame (for the pool study),” Deakin said. “When we do a road traffic study, we don’t do that in the summer months.”
Rohan indicated that the AAC and the Project Wide Advisory Committee appeared to be applying pressure to initiate the study.
“There was a sense of urgency to capture the data,” Rohan said.
He also pushed back on the notion that this is somehow a slow season in The Villages.
“Our amenities are being widely used during the influx of seasonal residents,” Rohan said. “Participation is high.”
AAC Chair Donna Kempa agreed.
“Thanksgiving is right in the middle of this, so it’s a good time,” she said.
The study will require 280 hours of Recreation Department staff time. Part-time employees picking up additional hours will do the checking of the IDs during the study.
AAC member Richard “Reb” Benson noted the cost will be about $4,000.