Phase 3 Observations and Updates

DEAR SHAREHOLDERS AND MEMBERS:

A quick update today to provide a few observations and reminders, and to announce some changes based on feedback we have received from members as we continue to adjust under Virginia's Phase 3 reopening process.

First, we want to thank everyone for what has largely been a smooth opening under Phase 3.  We want to reiterate again how important it is that everyone take all health precautions seriously for the well-being of our membership and community, including wearing a mask upon entering and exiting the grounds, in the bathhouses, and when you cannot maintain proper social distance while on the grounds. You've surely noticed the health screening that the guards perform upon entry, in the form of questions about symptoms and travel.  These are mandated by the State, and they are meant to make members more self aware about their own health and how it can impact others.  Ideally, members should ask themselves these questions before they come to the pool.  If you are sick or don't feel well, please stay home. 

Second, please remember that as part of our effort to minimize health risks at the pool, we are not allowing toys and balls in either the main or baby pool.  These are items that typically get shared and handled by many people, especially kids, and can be an avenue for transmission.  Additionally, please remember that use of the baby pool is by reservation only for families in order to ensure that those using the baby pool can remain socially distanced.  Please refrain from using the baby pool outside of this system.

Adherence to these and all the pool rules are enforced by the guards, but really, everything works best if members take responsibility to police themselves and do what they can to ensure a welcoming environment for everyone.  The guards' primary job is to ensure the safety of swimmers, and the less they have to monitor these and other issues, the better.  We are all in this together, so please be mindful of others, and please help us maintain a safe and inviting environment for all.

Third, based on feedback and questions from the membership and our management company, please note the following:

• Effective Monday, July 20th, all swims lanes may be reserved through the online registration system previously used to reserve lanes.  This includes the six lanes that are up during the first hour the pool is open each day (reserved for swimmers 18+) and the two swim lanes that are up the rest of the day.  Three spots per lane will be available.  Please note, we reduced the swim lanes that are up after the first hour to two to  reflect actual usage and to improve the ability of members to remain socially distanced in the free swim area of the pool.  As before, the guards can assist you with scheduling at the front desk.
• We will be placing laminated cards or other indicators on the tables so that members can indicate when they leave that they have been at that table.  This will alert the guards more quickly when tables have been used and need to be cleaned, as well as members entering the grounds.  Please be sure to flip the card accordingly when you leave the pool.
• During regular hours, after the first hour reserved for 18+, the dive well will remain dedicated to diving board use only.  This is to encourage social distancing in that area.
• The Board has decided that for this summer no private swim lessons will be allowed in the pool.  This decision was made to reduce unnecessary contact in the pool between individuals who should otherwise be socially distanced.  We appreciate your understanding.  This does not apply to a parent or older sibling instructing a child from the same family unit.
• Members must scan their cards to gain access to the grounds.  New members, or members who have requested replacement cards, will have cards made for them which will be available at the front desk for pickup usually within a week.

Lastly, in order to ensure that the pool can accommodate the Shareholders and members it already has while maintaining and encouraging social distancing, the Board has decided to cut off new memberships for non-shareholders.  Shareholders who have not yet purchased a share may still do so, or they may pay the inactive fee.  If you are a Shareholder, we remind you that you must either buy a summer membership or pay the inactive fee to maintain your share in good standing.
 

Thank you again for your support of Woodley Pool.

If you have any questions, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Board

July 4th Hours and Other Updates

DEAR SHAREHOLDERS AND MEMBERS:

This is to remind everyone that pool hours tomorrow, July 4th, are from 11-6 pm, as is posted on the website. Also, since we are still in Phase 2 tomorrow, the first two hours the pool is open (11-1) is reserved for 18+ only, and the pool may be used only for lap swimming and diving by reservation.

Under Phase 3 beginning Monday, the normal Summer schedule will continue to be in effect.  The pool will be open from 11-9 daily, with the exception of Sundays, when the pool is open from 12-9.  This will continue until Fairfax County schools go back into session.

Also, there have been some questions about our transition into Phase 3.  Please see below for some answers and additional information.

• During Phase 3, the first hour the pool is open (not first 2 hours as in Phase 2) will be reserved for lap swimmers 18 and over.  However, the baby pool will be open by reservation, and members/families with kids below the age of 18 are allowed on pool grounds during this first hour.  The pool will open for free swim after the first hour, and the number of lap lanes will be reduced to three.
• At this time, we will not be using a reservation system for lap swimming. We will reevaluate this and the number of lap lanes required as we observe how Phase 3 goes.  While we do not anticipate full lap lanes, if you are concerned about the number of swimmers, you can always call ahead to the front desk to find out how full they are.
• The pool will revert to our usual practice, as described in our pool rules, of swimming breaks for swimmers 14 and under for 15 minutes before the hour to the hour (except during the first hour the pool is open that is limited to adult lap swimming).
• As previously announced, there will be no guest passes allowed this summer.  This was a decision made in the interest of the safety and well being of all our members and life guards.  Any guest passes that were purchased as part of your membership will be rolled over to next season.
• As we said in the last email, we will be putting out a limited number of chairs and lounge chairs for use by members.  We will not be putting out our full stock of chairs at this time, as all of this requires additional cleaning by the life guards.  We continue to encourage you to bring your own chairs if you desire.  Again, we will reevaluate this as we observe how Phase 3 goes.
• In order to keep the pool deck clear to allow for social distancing in and around the pool, we will not be placing chairs on the deck.  Please relax after your swim in the grassy areas.
• Lastly, we want to reiterate the importance of social distancing and the wearing of face masks as we transition.  Face masks are required upon entering and exiting the facility, and when proper social distance cannot be maintained on the grounds.  We are excited to be able to offer wider and more open access to the pool and grounds under Phase 3, but it's very important that everyone consider their safety and the safety of others and our community as we go through this together.

Thank you again for your support of Woodley Pool.

If you have any questions, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Board

Phase 3 Transition

DEAR SHAREHOLDERS AND MEMBERS:

We are pleased to announce that Woodley Pool will be transitioning to Phase 3 operations under the State's Forward Virginia guidelines, beginning Monday, July 6th.  That means the Pool will continue to operate under Phase 2 guidance through Sunday, July 5th.  If you would like to read the Forward Virginia Phase 3 guidelines, you can find them here.  Meanwhile, please see below for details about pool operations and safety requirements under Phase 3.

Woodley pool operations under Phase 3:

• Free swim will be allowed.  That means we are not limited to lap swimming only.  You will no longer have to reserve slots through the registration system for use of the main pool.
• The pool's capacity will be limited to 75 percent of our capacity limit, so, no more than 171 members on the grounds at once.
• Diving will be allowed, but please note that because of social distancing rules, there will be a limit to the number of members that may be using the boards at any one time.  We will place social distancing reminders on the deck by the diving boards.
• Social distancing is still required, and will be key to ensuring that the Pool and grounds remain a safe place for all to enjoy.  For aquatic facilities, members must maintain 10 feet of distance between themselves and others outside their families.
• The baby pool will be open. To ensure social distancing, we will require reservations through our online registration system accessible through our website.  It will allow four "family" slots for the baby pool enclosure.  Each family reservation must include 1 parent/adult supervisor 18 years or older and may include up to 2 children who are 5 years and younger.  Direct adult supervision is required at all times in the baby pool.  The baby pool reservations will be for 30 minute blocks of time.
• Chairs will be placed on the grounds, but not on the pool deck.
• The playground, grills, and shed will remain closed to members until further notice.
• The pool will continue to be open to members 18 and older for the first hour the pool is open each day.  Until further notice, all six swim lanes will remain up during that first hour.  After the first hour, three lanes will remain to accommodate lap swimmers.
• No toys (including squirt guns), balls, noodles, or rafts are allowed in the pool at any time.  This does not apply to personal flotation devices needed for swimming.  For example, Coast Guard approved life vests and swimming aids for children are OK.
• Members 12 and under must continue to be accompanied by an adult to ensure adherence to social distancing guidelines.

Additional Safety Considerations:

• Safety remains our number one priority, for our membership and for the lifeguards working at Woodley.
• Per Virginia Health Department guidelines, every member MUST continue to be checked prior to entry into the pool.  Please confirm to the lifeguards that you do not have any of the COVID symptoms posted prominently at the front desk.  If you are sick, please stay home.
• Members must wear face masks entering and exiting the facility.  This is required by the State and County.  Your face mask protects the life guards, and their face mask protects you.
• Further, Virginia Executive Order 63 is still in effect, mandating use of face masks indoors.  For us, that means members using the bathhouses must wear face masks.
• While the lifeguards will be observing increased cleaning protocols, we encourage members to wipe down tables and chairs prior to use.  We are working on acquiring wipes for this purpose.
• Social distancing must be maintained, and for aquatic facilities such as ours, the standard is 10 feet between family groups.  We have spaced tables accordingly.  While in the pool, please observe these guidelines.

Finally, as we've said before, we will continually evaluate these rules, and will adjust when needed, and when allowed by the State and Fairfax County.  This is a team effort, we are all in this together, and the execution of Phase 2 has been (relatively) smooth. Phase 3 is a major step forward in terms of access to and use of the pool and grounds.  We ask that everyone adhere to these guidelines, respect others' space, and if you are a parent of a child, please remember you are responsible for their conduct and their maintaining social distance (as well as your own).  Safety first means adhering to the rules, especially those that direct you to stay home if you feel sick.

Thank you again for your support of Woodley Pool.

If you have any questions, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Board