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The Villages
Friday, March 29, 2024

Regional recreation centers and pools to re-open next month in The Villages

Regional recreation centers and swimming pools are set to re-open next month in The Villages.

The re-opening date is set for May 4.

The recreation center re-opening roll-out will be reliant upon staffing resources and adherence to Centers for Disease Control guidelines in the new era of COVID-19.

Do you think the re-opening is coming too soon – or too slowly? Share you thoughts in a Letter to the Editor at https://www.villages-news.com/submit-letters-editor/.

The swimming pools in The Villages were shut down last month after residents were not obeying a CDC-based directive that the pools be limited to “10 participants.” Residents complained there was no enforcement or monitoring of the 10 participant recommendation.

Signs at swimming pools in The Villages warned against more than 10 participants.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ stay-at-home order is set to expire April 30.

Here’s a list of regional recreation centers in The Villages:

Paradise

La Hacienda

Savannah Center

Mulberry Grove

Laurel Manor

Lake Miona

Colony Cottage

SeaBreeze

Eisenhower

Rohan

Fenney

Everglades

“The safety of residents, guests, staff and visitors in The Villages community continues to be of utmost importance to the District. As the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Florida Department of Health and Governor DeSantis on the prevention of COVID-19 continues to update, the District will be implementing a carefully phased plan to slowly and safely reopen recreational amenities,” The Villages District Office said in a statement.
Phase I – April 27 through May 3 
  • District Recreation & Parks staff will return to work the week of April 27 to May 3 to further clean and prep facilities.
  • Efforts will include utilizing tables and chairs to establish 6-foot buffers in room layouts and swimming pool areas, so social distancing may be actively practiced.
  • While residents will not have access to additional facilities that week, it will provide District staff the opportunity to prepare for Phase II.
Phase II – begins May 4 (if approved by local, state and federal agencies) and will continue through the month of May
Recreational activities that meet criteria of specific health department guidelines will begin opening. Some of the criteria taken into consideration will include limited exposure, high respiration activities, activity interaction and the interaction of persons/objects. The District said residents can expect to see the following:
  • Limited facility use
  • Special social spacing accommodations
  • All facilities will close by 8 p.m. to afford staff time for next day cleaning and preparation
  • Villages IDs will be checked and cashless Trail Fee services will continue
  • The District Administrative Offices at Lake Sumter Landing will open on an appointment-only basis beginning May 11.

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