PoolBuilder said:

EdS1967 said:

PoolBuilder said:

This project's going no where.  The contractor is from Baltimore and doesn't know how to build pools in Arlington.  They don't even have their permits.  http://permits.arlingtonva.us/Permit_Status.aspx?p_number=B1101844  

I don't know anything about the contractor, but I am pretty sure the permits are in place.  The construction started and is underway.  From conversations I've had, the construction is just not progressing at the rate they thought it would.  It was going to be a tight schedule originally, but now will likely last into the summer.

Check the link above, look at the events and comments, building permits are not issued.  From the pictures on the website, all that's happened is demo.  Ask any one with construction experience, you need building permit before real construction starts. The only way to get a real update is to go to the County and talk with folks, but their website is usually up to date.  I've been in contracting all my life (over 40 years) and if someone from Overlee told you they have permits to build, they are misinformed or outright lying.  Good contractors are honest with there clients, they wouldn't lead anyone astray.  I can't speak for the contractors, don't know em.

Ok, whatever – I'm sure you have a much better understanding of the permitting process than I do (sure sounds like somebody is a little raw about not winning Overlee's business).  I think the point here is that the pool may not be ready for the 2012 summer season, which means our families cannot enjoy Overlee the way we normally would.  My kids look forward to the swim team all year long, and I will be extremely disappointed if we cannot get a full summer's worth of pool time – especially given the astronomical assessments we just paid.

The general membership meeting is tonight at 7:30 PM at Dominion Hills Community House, 6000 Wilson Blvd.  I'm overbooked and may not get to go.  It's sure to be interesting.

SwimTeamDad said:

They are definitely cutting it close, but I don't think it has anything to do with the permitting process.  I spoke to my contact on the board again and apparently we're maintaining a good relationship with the county; the permits should be issued well before we actually need them. 

Breaking ground this late in the winter certainly raises the probability of a major debacle, but to respond to Poolbuilder, I certainly don't believe it has anything to do with the contractor.  In any event, I'm just glad Overlee decided not to use the same clowns who rebuilt the lap pool a few years back.  Does anyone remember them?  The lead guy looked like Guy Fieri and I just remember wanting to tell him — buddy, stick to making bacon-wrapped scallops because your pool building skills are really not up to snuff!

SwimTeamDad- how did the meeting go?  All I've heard from the few friends who went was that the County is the big issue. That the volunteers leading the new pool project have had to really butt heads with the County and escalate to department heads and the County Board to get the permits to move.  Was your Board friend just painting a rosy picture on an ugly truth… the County has screwed us again.  The pool even had to hire a special person to march from county office to county office to get things done.  (sad we had to waste money on Govt ineptitude)

I like Guy Fieri, sorry I missed him at the pool, need him to head to the County saying its "On like Donkey Kong."

When was the lap pool rebuilt? I don't remember that (probably running kids to activities, dad taxi never stops)  Were there issues with the contractor on that project as well?  Seems like we can't find a good contractor.  (maybe its just bad luck!)

Everyone's pointing fingers at either the County or the contractor.  My question is who's managing this project? Shouldn't the architect or the board members in charge be on top of whatever is causing the delay?

Oh, other tidbit, not only will the pool be delayed, there won't be any refunds AND dues are going up!  Now that's a kick in the teeth

charlie said:

Everyone who has a project at the County hires an "expeditor".  it is an industry standard here and elsewhere with any decent level of local government regulation — you hire someone to help get your permits approved efficiently.  Overlee is not being picked on or getting special bad service. 

but the ghost of the Overlee clubhouse that was summarily destroyed is what you should be really worried about.  You should never have torn that building down.  You will regret it.  Every single member.  And the club.  Just sayin…

A nice haunting will give the place some more personality. Plenty of members with Arlington permit experience were warning the board a LONG time ago about how long it takes.  At this point I mainly want to know about the future. What permits remain pending? How soon will they be approved? How will the pool differ from that originally approved?  What level of "functionality" will we have and when?  Even if the new main pool opens by Memorial Day (if that is still even possible) the new clubhouse won't be done for a while and the whole place will be a construction site. How can construction proceed safely and efficiently if the pool opens? Will there be a Spring extended season? What will be the impact on social events?  What will be the impact on the diving, synchronized swimming, and swim teams?  What will happen to Association's finances if loads of members start choosing inactive status? That last one is the one the board really really needs to worry about as it can affect cash flow in a big way.

The latest on Overlee is that the lap pool will open by Memorial Day. The new main pool and the kiddie pool might be done by mid-June.  The clubhouse will be done by the end of the summer.  This is all subject to change, of course, but we sure can't complain about the weather so far.  I don't know about the dive team but the swim team will practice at Yorktown for the first several weeks.  It looks like they've managed to frontload away meets and that includes Monday meets, so that's good. So it could be worse but, of course, it could be a whole lot better.  The Board is insisting that dues will not be pro-rated due to opening delays. I've not heard if a significantly higher number of families went inactive.