Hillsmere Pool Should Open On Time

While the Hillsmere Shores Improvement Association (HSIA) and the Hillsmere Pool Association (HPA) hammer out the details of the community pool situation there is a common thread throughout—everyone said they want the pool to open on time this summer.

The HSIA cut off negotiations on a new lease, which would have only been the second lease in the pool’s 30-year history. The current lease isn’t set to expire until June, but the pool is slated to open on Memorial Day.

The HSIA recently made a buyout offer to the HPA to not only end the lease early, but also to purchase furniture and equipment at the pool. The move is intended to allow the HSIA access to the pool sooner and be better prepared to open and operate the pool seamlessly for swimmers.

The pool will continue to be managed by Anchor Aquatics, the company that has managed the pool for the HPA for years.

Bill Shuman, HSIA president, said the board, Criterion Inc.—the company Anchor Aquatics uses for its pool furniture repairs—evaluated the pool furniture and other equipment to make an offer to the HPA. He said the board offered the HPA $12,500.

“Based on our evaluations and because we feel it is the best interest of the entire community to ensure continuity of the pool and maximize the funds that HPA has available to reimburse its charter holders,” Shuman said in a letter to residents. “We believe that this is more than a reasonable offer.”

He said if the HPA accepts the offer and everything is in order once they take the pool over, it will receive all of the more than $19,000 security deposit the HSIA is holding.

HPA officials have said they will reimburse residents who have already paid for a pool pass for this year, as well as pay between $200 and $300 to its charter holders.

Tom Trimmer said he had been hoping for a fair offer so, “…we could put this to bed.” Trimmer, who was part of the initial group to organize the pool construction and operation, said he has no plans to work with the pool any longer.

“We will be spending more time with our grandchildren at the beach,” he said.

But the recent interaction between the two parties once again finds them at odds. The HPA’s initial assessment of what the furniture and other equipment was worth was more than $38,000.

The HSIA’s offer was $12,500, as well as $2,500 to buy out the remainder of the lease.

HPA members are now considering the offer and have until Friday to make a decision.

Regardless, the HSIA is moving forward with plans for this summer swimming season.

Shuman said anyone interested in swimming at the pool will have to join as members through the HSIA and that it will be holding a pool “Come and Get It Day” on April 30 at the Key School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to assist residents in getting all they need for this summer.

New membership forms are also available on the HSIA website.

Here are some of the highlights, according to an email from Shuman:

• There will be no charters or initiation fees. The only cost to join the pool is the membership fee.
• There are new membership categories this year: Family—$350; Adult—$140; Youth—$70 (4-16 years old, must have parent or guardian join as an adult.)
• A 10-pass coupon book is available for $100 ($120 after May 27). The coupons are good any day the pool is open except holidays.

• If you purchase a family membership with just two adults, you will receive two permanent guest passes for the season.
• The Hillsmere Hammerheads Swim Team and the Key School Day Camp will be using the pool the same as last year. The Hammerheads will have a signup table at the pool “Come and Get It Day.”

 Shuman said the HSIA’s offer was “best and final,” negating any further negotiation.

“I am optimistic that they will accept the offer and let us get the pool ready to open on time for the benefit of the entire community and all the people who love using the pool,” he said in an email.

Editor's Note: The reported value of the HSIA's offer was corrected. The $12,500 for the pool's equipment and furnishings did not include the lease buyout. The HSIA offered an addition $2,500 to buy the remainder of the lease.