Important Message From TMK Management: Pool Closure for Summer 2020

First and foremost, we truly hope that all homeowners and residents here at Yorkshire Village are safe and well! It has been a very challenging and scary several months for sure. By now, you may have heard that the Governor provided the date of June 22nd for public pools to open. What has occurred since that announcement is the CDC issued COVID-19 requirements for all pool facilities - see HERE. These requirements resulted in the necessity for the pool management companies to increase personnel at all pools to specifically serve COVID-19 tasks. As a result, there are now additional costs that call for budgetary increases to the Association which, in the case for Yorkshire Village, is in excess of $20k.

After the CDC protocol was issued and the budget numbers calculated, we were then contacted by the insurance agencies that handle the Association’s General Liability Insurance coverages for common areas. We have been advised that there still remain too many “unknowns” with health risks that are presently not covered by any policy, thus creating additional risk for Board members and management regarding potential suits. Therefore, it has been suggested that pools remain closed until such time when legal language can be determined for COVID-19 (and viruses in general).

And so, with much consideration of these new health safety requirements, budgetary increases, and liability risks for summer 2020, the Board has officially determined that the pool will not open.

Our pool management company, St. Nick Pools, had proactively started the pre-season preparations in April and May. Based on this year’s set contract rate of $47,400, they were paid under the payment schedule of 30% of that contract (10% for April = $4,740, and 20 % for May = $9,480). The Board has also approved the June contractual payment which was negotiated to be reduced from 20% to 10% ($4,740) for the pool winterization process and covering. At the end of the fiscal year of May 31, 2021, as long as the Association does not experience any budget overage in any other areas (for example, snow removal or increased cost in the April & May billing of next year’s pool management, since the protocol for next year has not yet been determined), the fiscal audit should reflect a surplus of $28,400. *This is not refunded to homeowners, and it would stay with the operating account. At year-end, when the Association receives the fiscal audit, the Board will make the decision to either roll it into the Association’s Reserve account or utilize it for upgrades to the common area.

We would like to stress again that keeping the pool closed was not an easy decision by any means. The Board had hoped to give our community the opportunity to use the pool this summer and, along with management, has devoted much time and attention to thoroughly assess all of the information and possibilities before making the final decision. Unfortunately, with COVID-19 still present and the increased cost to try to keep everyone safe, it is just not possible. We regret to give you this news, however, we believe this is the best course of action to ensure the safety of all of the homeowners and tenants within the Yorkshire Village community.

**Any questions, please contact Tricie Kohut at tkohut@tmkmgt.com.