Extra Pool Hours
Some extra pool hours to enjoy the nice weather:
- Tues-Thurs 4pm-7pm
- Fri 1pm-6pm
Regular Memorial Day Weekend hours:
- Sat 11am-8pm
- Sun 1pm-8pm
- Mon 11am-8pm
On-demand special edition sent at 1300.
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Reason #223 for supporting VGCA and the pool…
Please take 2 minutes to read this… and then support VGCA and the pool at vgnn.org/join.
There are many reasons to join the Village Green Community Association, and I’ve covered a lot of them over the years. But today, I want to share a bit of history and also look at our current reality.
I took over pool management back in 2017, making this the 10th season I’ve managed our pool. When I started, we were paying a pool management company nearly $25,000 a year to handle our lifeguards, inspections, and daily operations. Then, COVID changed everything.
In the summer of 2020, our pool management company wasn’t going to open the pool due to pandemic restrictions, yet we were still on the hook to pay them nearly $8,000 just for baseline maintenance. The VGCA Board was deeply concerned that if we didn’t open that season, it might be the end of the pool entirely. Plus, during a time of immense uncertainty, we all desperately needed a safe way to socialize and get outside.
Drawing on my own experience growing up with pools (above ground) and time spent as a lifeguard, I teamed up with Pete F., Rich S., Amy N., and Laura C. to hopefully save the summer. Laura connected us with the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins swim team, who were struggling to find practice space with indoor pools closed. That partnership brought in crucial revenue. We cut ties with the management company and jumped right in. We navigated changing executive orders, managed swim lane bookings for Phase 2, and by Phase 3, we had the diving board back open. That 4th of July felt pretty darn normal, and the summer was a massive success and a vital outlet for families in the Green!!!
While we’ve kept that momentum going for the last six years, membership has slowly waned.
Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours managing lifeguards and researching chemicals, paint, and filtration to prepare this facility for another decade. Our amazing neighbors have also chipped in invaluable volunteer hours to maintain a nearly 60-year-old pool.
But the economic reality has caught up with us:
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Labor: Minimum wage has increased 76% since July 2020 and will go up even more the next 2 years. Lifeguard labor is our single biggest budget item, and staffing them is required by City of Newport News ordinance.
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Supplies: Chemical and equipment costs have skyrocketed due to supply chain issues and inflation.
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The Alternative: I recently requested quotes from two independent pool management companies. Their bids came in at $45,000/year.
The math is simple: Memberships + Volunteers = The Pool Stays Open.
If we are forced to pivot back to a commercial management company, it will likely lead to the pool closing permanently within a year or two. If that happens, neighborhood property values will take a hit, and we lose a staple of our community.
Please consider supporting the VGCA and the pool. Even if you don’t plan to swim, you can join the VGCA as a community member and provide an extra donation.
Thank you for your support!
HRA pool usage
We have made changes to our agreement with HRA on their pool usage for the remaining part of this year beginning on June 4 and ending on July 30.
- Mondays — HRA will have exclusive access to the pool from 1:30pm-330pm. Pool is closed to all other swimmers.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays — VGCA members and HRA share the pool from 1:30-330pm. HRA should bring about 20 swimmers with them. Lifeguards will monitor and report to the pool manager on the number of HRA swimmers.
The funds made from this agreement help pay for the operation of the pool.
VGCA Swim Team Egg my Yard Fundraiser
Village Green Swim Team presents Egg My Yard Fundraiser.
Volunteers for the pool covering
Looking for volunteers to come out and help cover the pool. Many hands makes for light work. Typically takes 10-20 minutes.
Scheduled for 20 October @ 1800 so be there early because you know Donnie will be.
VGCA Board Nominees and Upcoming Elections for 2026
Volunteers needed for 2026 positions; all VGCA members interested in running for a position are encouraged to submit their name to the nominating committee or show up at the general membership/election meeting on 23 Oct to be included in the list of candidates up for vote.
The Village Green Community Association, a 501c7 not-for-profit organization, is posting its nominees for the annual nominations for its Board of Directors. The slate of 7 to 11 Board of Directors are elected annually to fulfill a variety of offices and roles. The Board oversees the operation, management, and enhancement of the nearly 7.5 acres of community property, including a community pool, a clubhouse, playgrounds, park space, basketball court, pickleball court, and other amenities, serving over 300 households. These improvements, along with all of the community events, are accomplished through the work of volunteers from the around “The Green” who dedicate their time and talents to enhancing our community. Voluntary membership dues, volunteer labor, community donations, fundraisers, and service discounts are just some of the ways the Board finds the resources that are required to ensure these neighborhood amenities remain and that they meet the interests and needs of our neighborhood.
Annually, the current Board of Directors appoints a Nominating Committee to bring forward a list of nominees to serve on the Board of Directors. The list of nominations for the 2025-2026 VGCA Board of Directors below. These nominations will be considered by the VGCA general membership at the upcoming Annual Membership meeting on Oct 23 from 7-8pm at the Village Green clubhouse. Any members wishing to serve on the board that are not listed may be nominated from the floor at the upcoming Annual Meeting.
In addition, several other volunteer roles are needed to support the neighborhood that are not elected positions to the Board. Some of these positions and roles include Marquee Coordinator, Crier Editor, Website Manager, Hospitality Coordinator, Grounds Crews, Clubhouse/Pool Rental Coordinator, Pool Prep support, Swim Meet support, Block Captains…. These roles typically serve on the various Committees that are established by the board to help coordinate the work within the neighborhood. If you have questions on how to volunteer or what other opportunities there are to get involved, please let the Board know today.
NOMINATIONS FOR VGCA 2025-2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers (Total of 4):
- President: Glenn Woodell
- Vice President:Stan Van Pelt II
- Treasurer: Kelly Matteson
- Secretary:Ashley O’Malley
Committee Chairs/Leads or Other Duly Elected Members (Total of 7):
- Communications Committee Lead: Ryan La Riviere
- Governance Committee Lead: Andy Maciejewski
- Grounds Committee Lead: None
- Membership Committee Lead:
Alycia Sawyer,Peter Frye
- Neighborhood Watch Area Coordinator: Glenn Woodell
- Pool Management Committee Lead: Donnie Woodruff
- Social Committee Lead: Audra Joyner
Clubhouse main waste line replacement
After many years of dealing the cast iron waste line for the clubhouse, we are getting it repaired/replaced on Saturday, June 28. We will have a porta john on site for those using the clubhouse and pool that day. I know since I took the pool over about 8 years ago, we have dealt with this far too many times and paid for a plumber to snake it too many times too. This year alone, I have had to snake it 5 times with one of my sons.
You can see from the pic above how “flushable wipes” and feminine hygiene products can easily get caught on a corroded pipe. This is why I have been asking for your help for several years now.
A combination of rust and roots is what we believe to be the problem, which is expected on such old pipes. With the new PVC waste line going in, we should not have any issues from our clean out to the City side for many years.
Even with a new pipe consider that under the slab for the clubhouse is cast iron piping and that is not getting replaced. Continue to help save our pipes.
If you are unable to help volunteer throughout the year, consider donating to the main waste line replacement project — contact Donnie at [email protected] or 757-768-9326 directly.
POOL SNEAK PEEK (11am-8pm) + FOOD TRUCK (2-4pm) THIS SATURDAY!
Village Green — we’re giving you a chance to enjoy an early look at the pool and grab a hot meal while you’re at it!
When: This Saturday @ Pool 11am-8pm
Lula Mae’s Mobile Kitchen will be on site from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Get ready for some seriously tasty eats: Philly cheesesteaks, shrimp baskets, loaded tots, breakfast croissants, wings, and more! Whether you’re stopping by to check out the pool or just want lunch on the go, this is the perfect time to come out.
Bring the family, say hello to neighbors, and enjoy some great food as we kick off the season together!
