Ripley Inspects the Pool

The Winding Oaks Pool looks ready, but apparently it failed its inspection this week. The gates (of which there are four sets) did not ALL swing closed, per code. Therefore the contractor has to come back and tighten the spring. The contractor also failed to follow the fine print in the contract, which requires (based on pool size and length) a second "life ring" and hook on a pole. The cost of this pool is such that the Homeowners Association is determined to make them provide a second set of ring and hook, even though we still have an older ratty looking set. We (the Association) are holding a check for $41,000 until they finish the job to OUR satisfaction. We'll see how long this Mexican standoff lasts - this is the pool promised for October, after all. October of 2010, that is.

When the pool finally was redesigned, it was made marginally shallower and a little bit longer - hence it went over the code length and necessitated that second set of safety rings and hooks. The Board of Health (those whose spelling prowess was revealed in an earlier blog entry) also said we needed to install new hardware on the partition in the rest rooms, lest somebody have less privacy while astride the porcelain throne. Now, here comes the best part - the sign says "no children in diapers" may swim, yet we had to install a diaper changing station in each bathroom. Oh, and those were installed originally too high on the wall. Supposedly we'll see another attempt to pass this coming Friday. Stay tuned.

Oh, you'll notice Ripley Wild is modeling the new pool furniture. It's on order - these are just demonstration chairs and chaise lounges. Yesterday we cleaned the old pool furnture (4 years old, including two years during the "no pool" period) and placed it up for sale - $30 a table, $20 a chaise, $10 a chair. Those eight chairs on the left side of the picture will stay until replaced, but the lounge chairs will be removed as they would scratch the new surface, if dragged. Five or seven remain, two have been sold already. Let Ripley know if you're interested, as I've tried to get him appointed to the pool committee where the first thing he plans to do is vote to remove the "no dogs" sign. Frankly, I don't worry since this is an infinity edge pool, without a open gutter, he'd have no problem getting out, even if he chose to go in. For now, he's content to sun himself in a chair and work on his tan. Ripley enjoys the Life of Riley, believe it or not.