06/06/2020
Happy Friday Kiln Creek! Here are this week’s announcements and upcoming events…
• POOL OPENING OUTLOOK:
Like you, we were excited at the prospect of moving into Phase 2 with the expectation we’d be able to move back, even if just a little, to normalcy. But when the Governor recently submitted Executive Order #65 and the associated Guidelines for operations, we realized we are not afforded a reasonable chance at a full opening of our recreation facilities. The numerous restrictions, limitations, enhanced cleaning obligations, personnel requirements and associated financial costs of Phase 2 are quite troublesome. More importantly, though, the liability concerns are daunting. The totality of those concerns made it clear we cannot open our pools at this time.
Please understand that we do not control all the components of this decision. Our pool management company, for instance, is facing tremendous difficulty securing personnel at this time for a variety of reasons (all of them related to COVID-19). Other pool companies are facing similar difficulties. That is borne out in what we are hearing all around the state. For instance, our legal advisors represent 32 municipalities in Virginia, and none of those municipalities are opening their pools at this time. Still, you may hear the occasional example of small communities making the decision to open their pools, but we simply cannot base our actions on the decisions of others. One of our chief purposes is to protect the Association from the financial impact of liability related losses, and at this time there is simply far too much liability risk for us to consider opening the pools at this time. As noted earlier, we are hoping to get additional guidance in the coming days and weeks that may allow us to alter our decision. If and when that happens, we will readdress the issue.
If it turns out we will not be able to open our pools at all this season, we intend to accelerate the timetable of one or more of our special projects on the Strategic Plan such as Recreation Center renovation, community sign replacement, community landscaping improvements, etc. We remain very solid from a financial perspective, and the absence of pool operations would free up quite a bit of personnel resources. We believe in every challenge lies an opportunity, and if the COVID-19 crisis closes one door we intend to immediately open another! By accelerating the completion of projects such as those noted above, you will be able to enjoy their value much earlier than had been originally anticipated — making what could have been a particularly difficult year an unusually productive one!
• FITNESS FACILITY UPDATE:
At this time, we are unable to open the fitness facilities for reasons similar to those above. We do have a few less concerns in this area than with the pools, so if additional guidance is received for Phase 2 openings, we may be able to open the facility soon. Stay tuned for updates.
• Please Pick Up After Your Pet: We have had numerous complaints over the last few weeks of pet waste being left in residents yards. Please be considerate, and pick up after your pet.
• NO FISHING: Fishing is not permitted in any of our 19 Lakes. Since spring is here, and more people are at home, we have seen an increase of people trying to go fishing. If you see someone fishing, please call the non-emergency police to go out and ask them to leave. We do not want any residents or staff getting into a possible confrontation. Non-Emergency Police: NN-247-2500 YC-890-3621.
• NEST Kitchen & Taphouse: NEST PATIO OPEN daily 8:00am-9:00pm, no reservations required. First come first serve. We are operating on a 50% capacity and 2 hour seating limit to provide service to as many guests as possible. Please see attached updated NEST MENU!
• The HOA Office is closed until further notice; however, we are still OPEN for business M-F 8am-5pm via phone at 877-9835 or email at [email protected]. Our normal operations and procedures will proceed from afar, so you will still see us throughout the community while practicing social distancing. Any paperwork from residents can be dropped off in our mailbox to the right of the HOA front door. Architectural Review Applications will be processed electronically as best as possible, so you should not have a delay in a decision. Community Reviews will continue as normal, please see information below concerning extensions.
• PEDESTRIAN PATH WORK:
Asphalt work on the pedestrian paths will continue the coming week in the area from the veterinary clinic extending SE toward Victory Blvd. and NE toward 7-Eleven. This project will take several weeks to fully complete, but work areas will be isolated during that time, and most of the pedestrian paths will be open during this process.
• Neighborhood Meetings: All neighborhood meetings have been cancelled until further notice. Please contact your management companies with any questions.
