5.18.2020

Wildwood Manor Community,
First, thank you to all who have paid their partial 2020 dues. Your commitment and support are critical to ensure our pool survives financially this year and provides, at best, a level playing field for all the members to shoulder our collective responsibility to maintain our pool during this extraordinarily challenging and unprecedented period. These annual dues are necessary to ensure that we can meet our fixed costs – including debt service, pool management fees, taxes, utilities, insurance, and necessary maintenance. As we have received a significant number of requests to not pay this year or opt out, we feel it essential to reiterate the need for the payments outlined here.

The actions we have outlined below are not unique to our pool, as all the pools in our area are taking similar approaches, to simply maintain the pool in the condition necessary to remain viable going forward.

As a reminder, we are collecting 
50% of the normal annual dues as follows:

Equity Family ($749): 50% = $374.50

Equity Single ($449): 50% = $224.50

Equity Senior ($359): 50% = $179.50

When/if we open for all or some of the season we will, at that time, determine the amount of an additional payment based on the timing of the opening. If we do not open, we will refund the difference between your current payments and the annual fixed cost contribution (listed below).

We have gotten inquiries from some equity members requesting to “opt-out” of using the pool this summer– even if the pool does open— either because they are in the COVID high risk category or just don’t feel comfortable going to the pool during the pandemic. For equity members that would like to “opt-out” of using the pool this summer (or in the event that we do not open), we are requiring members to pay their share of the annual fixed costs for 2020. That fee is as follows:

Annual Fixed Cost Contribution/Opt-Out Fee

Equity Family:  $350

Equity Single:    $210

Equity Senior:  $170

If you would like to opt-out of using the pool for the summer please email membership@wildwoodpool.com requesting this option. Our membership team will update your account so you can pay this fee.

All equity members must pay either the fixed cost contribution (if you don’t plan on using the pool) or the 1/2 dues payment (if you will use the pool if it is able to open). If you do not make a payment this year and wish to return in 2021, you will still owe the annual fixed cost contribution plus a 20% penalty in addition to the membership fee for 2021. There will be a late fee of $50 after Saturday, May 24 for all payments. If you were inadvertently charged the late fee already, this payment will be refunded.

If you have paid your full amount, we ask you to hold tight until we have a final decision about opening. We will ensure that those who have paid early are not financially disadvantaged. Lighthouse, our pool management company, is continuing to prepare the pool so that we can open if we are permitted to do so. We will continue to heed to the directives from the State of Maryland and Montgomery County’s health department regarding opening dates and ongoing operations. No determination has been made yet on schedule and possibility of opening the pool until clear guidance has been established by the governing regulatory states agencies.

Thank you and please reach out with concerns or questions and we will do our best to respond quickly.  This is an uncertain time for all of us and we are committed to doing what’s best for our pool community—balancing all of the concerns and hopes of our members. Please expect further updates and communications from the pool board as information becomes available and definitive.

Best,
The Wildwood Manor Board

Wildwood Manor Pool is located on a beautifully wooded four-acre lot off Grosvenor Lane at the corner of Cheshire Drive and Hatherleigh Drive in Bethesda. The facility is quiet, private and well shaded and offers a 25 meter swim pool, diving well, wading pool, snack bar and recreational facilities.