DH COVID-19 FAQ Page

We have posted an FAQ page for our community here. As we have additional information we will be be letting you all know. Please stay tuned as we are meeting multiple times weekly to determine how DHARA will open for 2020.

Thank you all

The DHARA Board.

DHARA COVID-19 Update – May 18, 2020

Dear DHARA Members,

The Board has continued to meet to discuss DHARA’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. Below is an update on where things currently stand.

We continue to closely monitor news and guidance from the state and county with an eye towards opening in some capacity when it is safe and responsible to do so.

Recently, the Governor issued Executive Order 61 easing certain restrictions and introducing a plan and requirements for further easing. Arlington, along with other Northern Virginia counties expressed some concern with the timeline. As a result, the Governor issued an additional executive order that leaves existing restrictions in place for Northern Virginia at least through May 28 (Executive Order 62). If and when we are allowed to reopen, it appears (for now) there will be some level of restriction on the number of people allowed at the pool and available pool activities. Some information from the Governor on what Phase 1 might look like for the pool may be found in Executive Order 61 under “Fitness and Exercise Facilities.” Keep in mind that Arlington is not yet entering Phase 1.

Given the unique requirements of operating a community pool, DHARA has joined a large number of other Northern Virginia pools in requesting more clarity with respect to operating outdoor community pools. View the letter sent to the Governor’s Office.

Finally, the full Board, a task group focused on DHARA’s response to COVID-19, and our Pool Manager have continued to both deliberate internally and coordinate with other pools to develop plans for safely and responsibly reopening consistent with state and local guidance.

The Board has created a new webpage on the DHARA website where we will post additional information, including our Phase 1 opening plans, as the situation develops. The Board is meeting again this week to further discuss these matters.

We thank you for your continued patience, and we hope to see you all (a few at a time and properly socially distanced!) at the pool this summer.

Stay well.

The DHARA Board

NVSL Swim Season News – 2020 Season Canceled

Hello DH swim families,

Unfortunately, there will not be a competitive summer swim season this year.  NVSL made the difficult decision that a summer season is not feasible.  We are sad that the summer will not be spent at Monday night and Saturday morning meets cheering all our swimmers to personal bests.

We will still plan to come together as a swim community to recognize our senior swimmers in some way.  We will also explore other ways to keep the DH spirit alive this summer.

Hope to see you all soon,

Meghan, Steve, and Beth

Below is the letter from NVSL:

Dear NVSL Swimmers, Divers, Families, Volunteers and Sponsors,

Planning for the 2020 season began even as the 2019 season came to a close. We eagerly looked forward to commemorating our 65th anniversary as a league of more than 17,000 incredible swimmers and divers. As we know, the spread of the COVID-19 virus resulted in significant changes in our plans and daily lives. Despite our best efforts to gather as much information about the implications of COVID-19 to confidently hold a potential season, we have reached the difficult decision that the 2020 season must be canceled. We feel profound sadness knowing the disappointment this will cause, but the decision was made to prioritize the safety of our participants, supporters, and communities.

Over the last eight weeks, both the Executive Board and the full League Board met more than a dozen times to monitor the ongoing developments related to COVID-19. We gathered input from public health officials, as well as elected and appointed representatives from all levels of government. Most importantly, we sought input from all 102 teams through the 17 Division Coordinators. The common thread in the feedback, along with the disappointment of missing a special summer tradition, was the commitment to health and safety. The Board greatly appreciates the constructive conversations that advanced the discussion on the status of the 2020 season. We took into account as much information as we could to determine whether the League could operate in a safe and healthy way that did not put overwhelming logistical and organizational pressure on the League’s teams. The final vote of the Board in favor of cancellation was 19 in favor, 2 opposed and 3 abstentions.

We expect that teams will have many questions, and we will work quickly to answer where possible. At this moment, we can assure you of the following:

-Senior swimmers and divers will have the opportunity to apply for 2020 NVSL scholarships.

-Team dues will be fully refunded.

We are looking ahead and already planning how to make the 2021 season the best one yet.

Sincerely,

The NVSL Executive Board

DHARA COVID-19 Update – May 7, 2020

Dear DHARA Members,

As we continue navigating the COVID-19 crisis as a community, we wanted to update you on where we currently stand. We also ask for your patience and understanding as we make our way through this unprecedented time. This will not be a normal season. We won’t have answers for every question, and there’s much we don’t know at this point. We encourage you to work with us as we plan and adjust over the coming months.

We are closely monitoring news and guidance from the state. The Governor’s Stay at Home order currently runs through June 10. On May 4, Governor Northam released high level guidelines for reopening Virginia, which includes several phases. There are no details on what phase pools may fall into. Therefore, we do not know when the state will permit pools to open. It also appears, for now, that once pools are permitted to open, there will be some level of restriction on the number of people allowed at the pool, as well as other possible guidelines or recommendations.

While we wait for further guidance from the state, we are taking steps to prepare the pool to open as soon as it is deemed safe to do so. Unfortunately, some necessary steps are outside of the board’s control, including obtaining needed permits. Moreover, the board is making its own determinations regarding the safety of our community. As such, it is possible that the pool may not open immediately after the state determines that it is free to do so. Please watch your email and the website for further updates.

Here’s an overview of steps that are being taken:

  • The board has convened a task group, along with the pool manager, to discuss options for our potential opening. This includes plans and policies for member and staff safety and, if we are restricted in the number of individuals permitted to be at the pool at any given time, equitable and manageable plans and policies for both our members’ access and our staff. As we know more, we’ll share those plans.

  • Our pool manager also is communicating with colleagues at other pools, and we’re reaching out to other nearby pool boards.

  • We continue to take practical steps toward an eventual opening. The pool has been drained, cleaned, and refilled. The project to rebuild the pump room is completed, along with the project to stop erosion under the deck. The pool manager has been working on staffing for the pool. And new furniture or refreshed furniture is in place.

  • Grounds clean-up has started, though normally about this time we would have had our grounds clean-up day. We do still NEED your help to get things ready though. Please learn more and sign up to help on specific tasks, with social distancing measures in place.

Finally, stay tuned for further updates over the coming weeks as we have more to share. In the meantime, please stay well and healthy.

Best to all,

The DHARA Board

DH Clean up – We want your help :-)

While our opening day is still an unknown, DH Needs your help to get our grounds looking fabulous for if and when we get there. There’s a lot to maintain and prep for the season and without our normal big clean up day, we’re asking for your help to get it all done.

Sign up for a time slot, each slot being on a Saturday or Sunday for no more than 6 people. We’ll assign work to keep families distanced and, ask that folks wear masks.

Work needed consists of at least the following..

  • Mulch spreading
  • Weeding
  • Deck pot planting
  • Planting in beds
  • General pickup of branches, trash, etc.
  • Cutting ivy on trees and pulling off what we can
  • And More!!!

Please review the available slots at the SignUp Genius and sign up! Once you’ve signed up, Sam Alexander will reach out to coordinate and make sure you have assigned tasks. He’ll also meet you on site to help or direct and, answer any questions.

If you’d like to come up at a time that’s not listed, please reach out to Sam directly at [email protected].

Thank you!

Sign Up!

DHARA Board Meeting Agenda – April 23

Dominion Hills Area Recreation Association – Regular Board Meeting Agenda – April 23, 2020

Due to the current COVID-19 crisis and in order follow health and safety recommendations maintaining people’s health and safety, DHARA board meetings are being held via Zoom.

7:30 – Call to Order

7:35 – Approval of Minutes

7:40 – Confirm Executive Committee Actions

7:45 – Membership Recorder’s Report

7:55 – Financial Report (if needed)

8:10 – Manager’s Report

8:25 – Updates

  • Membership Committee
  • Summer Calendar – scenario planning?
  • Water Sports – Swim/Dive Updates
  • Facilities and Construction Committee
  • Insurance
  • Winter Swim Decisions
  • Grounds and Landscaping – Clean-up ?
  • Member Communications

9:30 – Adjournment

 

 

DHARA – April 4 COVID-19 Update

Dear members,

The DHARA Board continues to closely monitor developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our primary concerns continue to be the health and well-being of our members and employees. Any changes to the information listed below will be based on the guidelines and recommendations set out by Arlington County, the State of Virginia and the CDC. 

It has become clear that we are unable to open on May 9, and we’re unable at this time to provide a firm opening date for the pool. We are, however, continuing to go through our regular opening checklists and planning so that when that time comes, we are able to open as quickly as possible.

We have suspended all community house rentals for the foreseeable future and are in touch with our recurring renters to discuss details.

Consistent with state guidance, DHARA’s winter swim program remains suspended for the time being. 

The spring clean-up day has also been postponed until a date that is to be determined.

The board will continue to actively monitor COVID-19 developments and assess necessary steps as information becomes available. Given the quickly changing situation, the board has added an additional meeting on April 23 so that we can adjust our plans as needed. 

We recognize that these are difficult times, and we will keep you all as updated as possible. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we continue to monitor events. Any questions may be directed to [email protected].

Please stay well,

  • The DHARA Board

DHARA Board Meeting April 2

Agenda

To be held via Zoom (virtual meeting), to ensure health and safety related to COVID-19 concerns.

7:30 Call to Order

7:35 Approval of Minutes

7:40 Confirm Executive Committee Actions

7:45 Membership Recorder’s Report

7:55 Financial Report 

8:10 Manager’s Report

8:25 Updates

  • Membership Committees
  • Summer Calendar
  • Rules and Regulations Approval
  • Member Communications
  • Water Sports – Swim/Dive Updates
  • Facilities and Construction Committee
  • Inscoe Rental Property
  • Long Term Planning
  • Grounds and Landscaping – Clean-up?

9:20 Committee Assignments – Finalization

9:30 Adjournment

 

DHARA COVID-19 Update – March 15, 2020

The DHARA Board, in consultation with our manager, is closely monitoring developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our primary concern is the health of our members and employees.

Because the pool is currently closed for the season, COVID-19 is having a limited impact on our facilities. That said, the Board discussed the situation at length during our March Board meeting.

In light of current developments, the Board decided to suspend all rentals of the community house through April 5.  We are in touch with our recurring renters to discuss the details.

In addition, the county has closed Arlington Public Swimming Pools effective Saturday, March 14 until April 13.  As a result, DHARA’s winter swim program is suspended as well. The winter swim coordinator is reaching out with more details.

We will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments and assess necessary changes as information becomes available. We also will revisit any implications for DHARA during our next Board meeting, scheduled for April 2.

We recognize that these are difficult times. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to monitor events.  Any questions may be directed to [email protected].

Please stay well,

The DHARA Board

Read more

Annual Meeting Update: New Board Members and Updated Bylaws

Thanks to all of the members who came out to the annual meeting and to all that voted in this year’s election for new board members.

We’re happy to welcome Cynthia Torg, Pete Bentson, Rob Smith and James Woodward to the Dominion Hills board of directors — plus MaryJane Klingelhofer who was re-elected! With the new cohort of BOD members now on board, we also have a new Executive Committee, all of which are listed here.

We also want to make sure we give a HUGE thank you to our departing members, Scott Christensen, Rich Engel, Stephen Nix and Louis Finkel. Their service on the board has been invaluable and as you’ve seen, there is more work needed to keep DH running than one would think. Thank you for the generous gifts of your time and energy!

A special thank you as well to Scott and Rich who have served for many years. Most recently Scott served as President for the past two years, providing much appreciated rock solid leadership. Rich has been on the board for longer than many can recall and has been a constant advocate for the board in our dealing with the county and always provides a great perspective in our planning discussions. They might not be on the board in the future but, we look forward to hearing from them as regular members, as their input is always welcome and appreciated.

Another item that was voted on in the annual meeting was updates to the DHARA by laws. These were lightly debated and passed nearly unanimously. Check out the by-laws — we encourage all members to familiarize themselves with them.

As always, the board welcomes input and participation from our members to help with the continuing efforts in improving our community.