Results of North Ranch Survey as of 9/18/07

SHOULD WINTER POOL TEMPERATURES BE LOWERED FROM 86-87 DEGREES TO 80-82 DEGREES?

Thanks to all who participated in this survey! You participation will help make North Ranch an even better community!

For more information on water temperatures go here

I AM IN FAVOR OF LOWERING THE WINTER POOL TEMPERATURES

19

Resident's Comments in favor of lowering the pool temperature

NRCA should not take on the added responsibility and liability to run a therapeutic pool when we are not equipped to do so. Therapeutic pools do exist, but are controlled by requiring doctors approval and supervised exercise programs. Those pools usually require temperatures of 82 to 87 degrees C. The added disadvantage of going to the higher temperature is they make it uncomfortable for those of us who would just like to swim at temperatures no higher than 82 degrees C, which is the standard. For those of us who like and want the heat, the Jacuzzis are available.

American Red Cross says 78 is ideal temp.  A little low but in the 80-82 area is good.

I think we should at least give lower temps a try.  If there are too many complaints, "raise it 2 degrees" & see how that is received.  I'm a senior who occasionally uses the pool.  I won't know how it feels to me until I try it at a lower temp.  I'm all for saving $, but the pools do have to be comfortable.  So, I think it's worth a try!

Instead of lower it immediately to 80-82 drop it down 2 degrees and let it stay there for a at least a week.  Lowering the temperature slowly will make the acclimation easier for those who want hot.  I doubt people will notice.

86 degrees is too hot. If I want to go in hot water I can use the Jacuzzi!

For the savings we can certainly live with it.

Let's give it a try and vote again next year.

Perhaps 87 is too high. 84 would still feel warm, and that's what a "heated" pool is all about - to feel warm. The "Y" pool isn't warm at 81.

I feel that one of the pools should have the temp lowered- whichever saves the most money. Maybe closing the North Pool for the winter would make a lot of sense as we really don't need two pools open during the winter months. I'm for saving the money and use the savings for other improvements to North Ranch.

Resident's Comments against lowering the pool temperature

It's a "heated pool", hence the temp! During the summer, not an issue, as the sun takes care of it. Those of us using for therapeutic, or for children, count on it to stay consistently warm (above 85 degrees). We've increased the dues, cut back in other areas already. Leave the pools alone! :)

too difficult to foretell how cold/warm the winter will be. 

if you lower temp then the amount of people that will use pools wont justify heating pools at all

I am 87 and have used both pools and physically need them heated. I moved to North Ranch from FL so my husband and I could have pools available when we wanted to use them and am happy to pay the HOA fees even if I don't. I don't play tennis or basketball so comparing repairs to the pools to fixing up the courts doesn't appeal or fly with me at all...moot point. I like the smaller pool I feel safer and it holds heat better, but haven't been there much lately since my husband died, unless my daughter or caregiver can drive me. I see that the South pool has new furniture, etc. which is great, but the North pool still doesn't even have soap dispensers in the ladies' restroom like the South pool does and hasn't a long time.  The left sink water faucet in this restroom didn't turn off automatically today either - what a sad waste of water. There is now a big hole in the shower tile and a running crack in the (one and only, old) glass table top that is going to break for good someday. But the smaller pool is closer for me to walk from the handicap parking spaces to the gate.

It really looks like money is not being used equally to keep the pools up equally except for resurfacing both cool decks last year which does look nice. So at least keep them heated in the wintertime as we were expected they would be when we moved here. If anything, as hot as it has been, thermostats should be turned "down" in the hot summer time!

We are against lowering of temperatures in the north pool especially. You could, however, consider a valid and reasonable compromise: Keep the North pool temps as is during the Winter raised and lower the South pool's temps. Residents would have an option also this way whether to swim "cool" or "warmer" depending on their needs and the weather. The North pool, being smaller, will hold radiant heat more and cost less to heat to the higher temps. Also, many "seniors" and those of us with arthritis prefer the north pool for therapeutic purposes and because of the smaller size and proximity to the parking lot.  Thanks for asking!

Let's look at other ways to reduce the bill.  What would it cost to have covers on pool put on at night?  This would also reduce debris and cleaning costs too. 

"Thousands and thousands?" that's questionable. NR promises 2 heated pools year-round for summer and winter use by NR residents--a valuable and attractive amenity. Don't mess with it. Why not install digital thermostats to accurately control pool temps to 84 degrees as a compromise (instead of the current wild swings--4 degrees and more.)?If you want to save money, do some So Arizona xeriscaping and unplug the criminally water-wasting irrigation system?

Although I don't use the pools as often during the summer months, I definitely use it during the winter months and having the temperature lowered would result in me not going at all. 

I personally do water aerobics so, if you had to lower one pool but kept the other pool warm that would work for me.

Lowering both pools defeats the purpose for us early swimmers (5:00AM). Thank you.

I would be agreeable to lowering one not both pools as a test for this year - But I would suggest that it should only be lowered to 84 the first go round.

I like the warmer pool. Could lower to 85 but I find that when it's 80 degrees it too cold to swim

No one will swim in the pool if the water is not warm enough to offset the cold temperatures in the air.  You might as well shut the pool down in the winter and save even more thousands of dollars if you're going to lower the temp to 82 degrees.  Even in the summer the temp of the pool is above 82 degrees! When it's 86-87 degrees in the winter, the regular pool goers use the pool just because the water is warm enough to swim in.  PLEASE DON"T LOWER THE TEMP.  We have enough money in the budget to pay for the warm water.

I am a member of the Rec Committee and will be in

Missouri until the end of October...as a member of

that committee, I would vote to maintain the temps of

the North and South Pools. The above pools have always

been heated to 86 degrees and 84 degrees respectively.

   This "saving money" is an end-all for some folks.

The board is not about "saving money" but keeping the

amenities that NR has that brought people to buy homes

there. I and others purchased our homes based on the

existing amenities.

   Whatever the amount of money one is trying to save

vis-a-vis the pools, one must divide that amount by

the 714 homeowners that reside there..given the

following amounts for the North Pool ($11,500 and

$20,250 for the South Pool)..Divide $31,750 by 714

households gives a figure of $44.41 per year...and

divide 44.41 by 12 months gives us the cost of $3.71

per household per month! Seems like a miniscule

savings!

  I DO NOT appreciate swimming in a pool with ice

cubes.

  Please heat the pools as they have been heated in

the past ... South 84 degrees and North 86 degrees.

Saving money is great; keeping the money in Arizona is even better.

We are from Switzerland and have solar panels on our roof for hot water for more than 10 years. They work excellently and save money!

Recommendation:

Lower the north-pool temperature to 80 F (there is not enough room for solar panels). Install solar panels at the south pool and keep the temperature for free with Arizona sun at 86 F (even in winter!).

e.g. www.poolcenter.com  

leave the pool temps alone.  every time we turn around something is being taken away.  by the way spend some money and get a decent landscaping company, these guys stink.