We have made the decision to get rid of the pool at a property.

Wisconsin here - We have made the decision to get rid of the pool at a property. It's about 30 years old, in bad shape and less than 1/4th of residents use it (because nearby there are much larger pools in the community with lots of fun features and they go there). Also, since we are in Wisconsin, the pool was only open for three months out of the year, so we are happy to put in something that could be used at least 9 months out of the year, like a nice grilling area. Since I personally have never had to let a community (61 units) know we are removing a pool, I need suggestions on the best way to let them know. I'm pretty good at spinning things and I am positive that the handful of residents who may be upset, will get over it. Send me some ideas!! Thanks!!!

If you have a loan on the property be sure you get lender permission to remove it. Remember, that pool is collateralized to the loan.

Jim Collins thanks. I think my bosses did that but I will definitely ask.

Kathi Marie Great then back up the dump truck! Lol

Kathi Marie had a client that did that. The property had THREE pools. The one they removed was shot. Lender made them put it back. It was a few years ago.

Get the residents involved by asking them what they would like there. This way you don’t invest money in something they aren’t interested in. Sometimes it could be as simple as a dog park or open green space. Other ideas could be a gazebo, community garden, basketball court, playground, ice rink, etc.

Rebecca Ross Gilinsky this is a great idea, I’d send a poll with some options to choose from and then tally up the most popular choice.

I saw a tiktok about someone that built their own ice rink and it was so cool. They basically just put a wood frame, then a tarp, then filled with water, let it freeze, and then would top it off and smooth. It would be so unique. Also during the summer that area could be for lawn games like bocce ball. You could have sand at the base. Here is the tiktok: www.tiktok.com/t/ZTR75uEFV/

Rebecca Ross Gilinsky I love that idea. Growing up in Michigan in the winter we’d flood our small horse paddock. That way we had an ice rink to play hockey.

Jean Cunningham Douglas a kid we used to flood our backyard because it was the biggest one of all of our friends and we would go ice-skating on it. Such good memories.

As well as a bbq area you may consider the following:Planters that you rent out so residents can grow their own veggies. Bocci ball Outdoor fitness equipment

Rachel Hammond i love the planters idea..all of it actually..thanks!!

LOL I was born in WS. Beer garden, ice fishing, or deer cleaning station.

Jeff Lawson id always be good with a beer garden over here!!

Be honest with people. If you replace the pool you would have to raise rents even more and the number of people who use it didn’t justify raising everyone.

Jesse Holland that is an excellent point. I can’t even tell you how many times I was at that property last summer on a really nice day and there was just nobody in the pool. We would much rather give them something they want to use, but can also use more than the limitations of the pool gave us. So I think overall we won’t get any flack for it.

I'm in Ohio. We tore out and replaced our pool a few years ago, and due to construction delays/ issues with permits and inspections, it was down for 3 years and that was hands down the worst period for me at this property. I think making it a positive permanent change will be most helpful, and asking for their input will go a long way towards making them feel like they have a say so in their home. Megan's letter above is a good start, I think!

What about making something kind of Austin-ish. Make a partially dirt field, have the string lights above, some cool outdoor furniture. Have a partially covered area with a outdoor kitchen. Have the area be accessible to vehicles if possible. Then you could host food trucks there. Fire pit if you have the budget. Have it be a community area where you can host events in the summer time, but still could be used in the spring and fall

Are you going to allow people to break lease losing a major lifestyle amenity ?BEFORE announcing or deciding, I would suggest asking residents a series of questions.....you can't remove pool and not provide the what's next part of story.Opening sentence - Our community wants to provide amenities and features residents enjoy and will use. Our next investments will be based on your feedback because we want to offer what you desire for your lifestyle.Ask residents what amenity or recreational space is missing ? Horseshoes, pickleball, basketball, children's playground, gazebo grill zone, community garden, corn hole, yoga zone, List current amenities and ask to rank importance ?List current amenities and ask when available, how often used ? Daily/weekly/monthly/less than monthly/rarelyWhat are you going to do if you learn half people use pool (infrequently) and rank high for want need ?I don't see how you can remove without knowing what people want instead.

Put a fun twist at the end of your paragraph saying the pool is being removed. Turn it into a contest for the residents asking them for suggestions of what they would like to have. We did this on a 100 unit property and it ended up the residents ask for more parking and/or storage units

I would have the plan to re use the space in hand. In order to better serve you we have decided to re purpose the pool and deck space for ..... we have found that most residents used the community pools located near us.

Pickleball courts

Maybe a good place for a Bark Park. Or for Western states, Pet Home on the Range.

"Dear Residents, we have some exciting happenings at XYZ community and need your help. There will be some construction happening to remove the pool. It has been determined that the age and condition of the pool is not conducive to continuing to operate and the costs to modernize an amenity that can only be enjoyed for three months is not feasible. BUT, with that renovation comes the opportunity for a new amenity . Please give us your feedback on some ideas that could go in that area. For example, blhalbhalblahg. You can submit your ideas by senidng an email to ____."

Megan Goodmundson my reply to your letter. Replace it with a covered and heated pool that we can enjoy for 12 months out of the year.

Miles Scruggs hahah

Miles Scruggs my reply to your reply - OK! Everyone's rent is going up $1000 per month

Make the announcement of what they are getting ( picnic area, grilling area, nature garden with seating spots, etc) and then within that announcement say where it is going to go - " in the place where pool currently is located"

Pool is getting old beyond repair (states that it is not your choice to take it out). Better pools exist in the community already (not losing an amenity). Instead of putting in another pool (which already exists in the community), you're upgrading to features and amenities that would be better utilized by the residents (adding new amenities). I frequently use the words "as you are aware..." as you are aware the pool is old... as you are aware the pool is broken... as you are aware there are better more popular pools.... as you are aware this is the ideal time to add new amenities. "As you are aware" establishes agreement, even if they had not even considered agreeing beforehand, or may not have previously agreed. Nobody will come to you and argue that they were not aware! Your tone should be that the current pool has to go no matter what, and that you're adding new amenities instead of duplicating existing amenities.

Hold a resident event and have a voting pool (lol) between 2 or 3 options.

I have gotten rid of pools and the reaction was immediate but died quickly. It helps if the demolition is started long before pool season, like now.

Ice fishing on the lawn? Ummm okay.

As a former pool contractor, be sure and fully de/commission the pool shell and related plumbing. I've seen issues at pools where the shell wasn't perforated effectively, and water from rain or high water tables would build up in/around it ruining anything that was put on top. The plumbing in the ground can lead to landscaping/erosion/safety concerns down the road too.