WILDWOOD AREA RECREATION ASSOCIATION

March 2024 Newsletter

GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Lorraine Curry

As we approach another exciting pool season, I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to returning and new members! As I reflect on the progress we have made in recent years to improvements at our facility, I can truly say we have the most beautiful pool and surroundings. Our efforts to improve the facilities, particularly the landscaping and paved parking with handicap spots and upgrades made to the bathrooms and snack bar, have been met with positive feedback.

I am proud to announce that we are committed to continuing this trajectory of improvements in the coming season and beyond. We aim to provide you with an exceptional experience every time you visit Wildwood Area Recreation Association. Whether it's enhancing the aesthetics of our surroundings, ensuring the comfort and convenience of our facilities, or exploring new ways to enrich your recreational experiences, we are dedicated to making strides in all areas.

Your feedback and suggestions are invaluable to us in guiding our decisions, and we encourage you to continue sharing your thoughts with us. Together, we can work towards creating a community that we can all take pride in.

Thank you for your continued support, and here's to another fantastic pool season at Wildwood!

A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING! PLEASE READ!

We need to cover some housekeeping rules this year while you are at the pool.   

• You MUST check in with a lifeguard each time you visit. No exceptions!
• Guests may only come with an active member and are $5 for each guest per day. If you are not a member, you are a guest. If you plan to have more than 5 guests, please let the pool managers know. They may need to adjust lifeguards accordingly.
• Ladies & Young Teen Girls - NO CHEEKY SWIMSUITS ALLOWED.
• ABSOLUTELY NO FOOTBALLS OR TENNIS BALLS IN THE POOL! NO EXCEPTIONS AT ANY TIME OF DAY!
• Please ensure you always know where your young children are in the pool. Our lifeguards are not your babysitters.
• Floats may not be allowed at certain times if we are extremely busy. It is up to the discretion of our pool manager if they are allowed. Extremely large floats will not be allowed.
• Please throw all your trash away and check your area before you leave to make sure it is clean.
• We will only keep items in a lost and found for two weeks.
• Alcohol is not permitted at the pool. We are a family-oriented pool and we want everyone to have an enjoyable experience.
• If you have any issues, please see our pool managers to discuss them.

LAKES & FISHING

WARA not only owns the pool and amenities surrounding it, but we also own the three lakes consisting of the one below the pool and the two across from the entrance of the pool (North Lake and South Lake). The lake below the pool is in dire need of some repairs due to erosion from several heavy storms along the dam side. This will be a significant expense and we are working on quotes for repairs. Not only do your dues cover the pool expenses, but your dues also have to be used to maintain the dams and spillways for each of those three lakes.

Some property owners around the lake may approach you about your access. WARA owns a certain amount of feet of shoreline around the lake, not the property owner. By presenting your 2024 membership card to them, it will prove that you have the right to fish on those lakes. Non-members may NOT use the lakes or any other part of our facilities.

  POOL CLEANUP WORKDAY

Our only clean-up and workday for getting the pool ready will be Saturday, May 4

8 am - 12 noon

As an incentive to increase participation in our clean-up day to get the pool ready to open, we are offering 5 free guest passes (a $25 value) to members that show up to work. Please keep young children at home as we are moving heavy items all over the deck that morning.

WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

Is anyone interested in volunteering to help at the pool and get involved? Board members work very hard all year getting the pool ready for members, putting on activities and much more behind the scenes. But we CANNOT do it all.   

So we are reaching out to see if our members have the skills, talents and resources to help us make these improvements. Think about these things and see if you have the ability to:

•  Volunteer time for Activities
•  Build (Construction)
•  Painting
•  Floor Work
•  Electrical 
•  Water Line Repair
•  Paving
•  Landscaping
•  The list could go on and on.

If you volunteer and provide much-needed services, we are willing to reward you with some daily guest passes.  

  

A WORD FROM OUR POOL MANAGERS

Amanda & Brandon Stanbery

Welcome to our 2024 Summer Season! 

Can you believe another summer is right around the corner? We are so excited to be returning this year as pool managers. Along with numerous lifeguards that are returning from last summer, we will have some new faces that are joining our staff as well. We'll have a board with the guards' picture and name listed for you to identify them. We encourage you to please take time to get to know them on a more personal level.  

There are a lot of exciting events planned and even ways to get the lifeguards more involved with our members. Our goal this summer is to make sure our members feel as comfortable and as safe as possible. If you have any concerns, please reach out to us. Happy swimming! 

You can reach us at: wildwoodpoolmanager@gmail.com.

SCHEDULING A PARTY

If you want to reserve a date for a pool party, email your preferred date, time and number of party guests to wildwoodpoolmanager@gmail.com. We only rent to members. Non-members may not rent our facilities.

The pool manager will get back with you to let you know if that date is available and get you on the calendar. The rental contract is available on our website at www.wildwoodpoolva.com.



RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

Keith Weisenstein

To guarantee your place at the pool it will be necessary for active members (those who were members last year) to have your dues paid on or before May 1, 2024. After that date, membership will be opened to individuals on the waiting list. 

Dues for 2024 will remain the same as last year and are as follows:

• Family Membership: $500 (with a minimum of 4 passes)
• Senior Membership: $400 (60+) (2 passes with 2 guest passes)
• Single Membership: $300 (no additional passes) Only 20 available!
• Fishing/Lake Access Only Membership: $75
• WARA Stock: $300 per share
• Permanent Guest Pass: $150
• Stock Transfer Fee: $50

There are two ways to pay your membership:

1) Go to www.wildwoodpoolva.com and click on the membership tab where you will be guided to pay via PayPal. 

2) Or you can send a check made payable to WARA to:

Keith Weisenstein

1119 Random Way

Forest, VA 24551

If you decide to mail a check, don't wait until the last minute. It must arrive by May 1 (not be mailed on May 1) in order to meet the deadline. For questions, please email: wildwoodmembership@gmail.com

The annual membership dues cover all eligible family members. A "family" is defined as those individuals related by blood, marriage, or through legal guardianship and living in the same house. As in the past, a family membership will include a minimum of four passes. Senior stock members will receive a MAXIMUM of 4 passes. If there are more than 4 family members living in the household, the family stock membership must be paid. Single memberships receive no extra passes.

All dues MUST be paid in full prior to using any of the amenities. Membership packets containing pool membership cards & pool rules will be available for pick-up at the pool during opening weekend or anytime after that.  Packets will not be mailed. 

MEMBERSHIP FAQ

Q. How will the 2024 waiting list work?

A. Returning 2023 stock members can join anytime before May 1, 2024. After that date, families on the waiting list will be offered memberships until we reach capacity. There are over 100 families on the waiting list and growing every day. Historically, 25 to 35 families leave each year for various reasons, so there is a chance that some people on the waiting list may not get in this year.

Q. I own stock and haven't been a member for a few years. I can join anytime right?

A. Unfortunately, no. Your stock membership is considered inactive and you must request to be placed on the waiting list and pay any past due assessments. Note that inactive stock members are given priority over prospective new members. According to the by-laws, priority among inactive stock members is based on the period of time for which the member has been waiting to become active, so the member with the most seniority on the waiting list has first preference. After all of the inactive stock members have been offered a membership, we will welcome new members until capacity is reached. At that time, membership will be closed to everyone, including stockholders. 

Q. How do I become a stock member?

A. There are two ways: 1) you can purchase stock directly from WARA or 2) you can purchase stock from a WARA stockholder. If you buy stock from WARA, there is a one-time fee of $300, which can be split over two years. If you purchase stock from a stockholder, it is considered a private transfer and WARA does not take part in the negotiations. Once the transfer is made, the old stock certificate should be sent to Keith and he will issue a new stock certificate in the buyer's name(s). There is a $50 transfer fee for this service.

Important Note:

The purchaser in a private transaction assumes the stockholder status of the seller, i.e. if the seller was active in 2023, then the purchaser steps into his shoes in 2024 and bypasses the waiting list. There is still a $50 stock transfer fee.

STINGERS SNACK BAR

Marnie Whitten

I am so happy to be gearing up for the 2024 season at Wildwood Pool’s Stinger’s Snack Bar!

Since my team and I had such positive feedback from our last year’s menu, we will continue to feature the tried and true beloved ice cream treats as well as the cold brew coffees, fresh veggie trays, and the gluten-free options. Members also asked us to host more hamburger weekends and we will most certainly deliver!

Please like and follow us on our Facebook page!

www.facebook.com/stingerssnackbar

You can stay up-to-date with specials we will be offering and opportunities for you to win giveaways from the snack bar. I am looking forward to seeing you all again this summer! 

POOL & SNACK BAR HOURS

POOL HOURS:

Monday - Saturday:       10:00 a.m. - 8:00 pm

Sunday:                         12:00 noon - 8:00 pm

SNACK BAR HOURS:

Monday - Saturday:       11:00 a.m. - 7:00 pm

Sunday:                         12:00 noon - 7:00 pm

AMENITIES

• Pool (open Memorial weekend thru Labor Day weekend)
• Full-Size Sand Volleyball Court
• Basketball Court
• Cornhole
• Fishing on three (3) lakes (for members use only)
• Snack Bar
• WIFI
• 4 Square
• Children's Playground
• Gas BBQ (gas tank available for $5 rental charge)
• Moonlight Swims
• Events
• Pool Rental for birthday and family parties
• Covered area for parties, picnics
• Gazebo

OUR SUMMER ACTIVITIES

APRIL

Tuesday, April 16...........Swim Team Sign-Ups at Forest Alliance Church 5 - 7 pm

Saturday, April 27...........FREE Shredding Event from 9 am - Noon (Sponsored by Kim Nicholson, Realtor)

MAY

Monday, May 1...............Membership Fees Due for 2024 (active stockholders) Saturday, May 4..............Pool Clean-Up Day 8 am - Noon

Thursday, May 23...........Staff Kick-Off Dinner ay 6:30 pm

Saturday, May 25............Pool Opens Full-Time for the season

June

Saturday, June 1............ Family Fishing Day 9 am – Noon

Saturday, June 1............ “Taco About a Fun Summer!” with Tacos, Bingo & Moonlight Swim (Open until 10 pm)

Friday, June 14.............. “Concert Friday” with Pizza Truck & Moonlight Swim (Rain Date Sat 6/15)

Monday, June 24............ Home Swim Meet vs. Hill City (Pool closes at 4 pm)

JULY

Monday, July 1................ Home Swim Meet vs. Bedford Y (Pool closes at 4 pm)

Thursday, July 4.............. July 4th Celebration 11:00 am – 3 pm; Pool closes at 7 pm

Saturday, July 13............ “It’s Flocking Fun!” with Moonlight Swim (Open until 10 pm)

Monday, July 15.............. Home Swim Meet vs. FAST (Pool closes at 4 pm)

Thursday, July 25............ Christmas in July all day at the pool

Saturday, July 20............ “B” Meet; Wildwood Pool is Hosting (Pool closed to members)

Saturday, July 27............ “A” Meet (Location to be decided)

AUGUST

Saturday, August 3........... “Fun Flick” and Moonlight Swim with Ice Cream Social (Open until 10 pm)

Sunday, August 17........... Sunday Relaxation Day

Saturday, August 31......... Moonlight Swim (Open until 10 pm)

(Please Note: Depending on Lifeguards, pool hours may need to be altered when school goes back)

SEPTEMBER

Monday, September 2....... Pool Closes for the Year at 5 pm

OCTOBER

Saturday, October 5.......... Fall Craft Fair from 10 am – 2 pm

Saturday, October 26........ Fall Festival (Bonfire with Smores, Hayrides) 6 - 9:00 pm

SWIM TEAM NEWS

Debbie Welsh, Swim Team President

Hello Wildwood Family and Friends!

We would love to have you be a part of the Wildwood Stingrays Swim Team! Not only do we swim competitively as part of the Lynchburg Aquatic League (LAL), we also have lots of FUN! Our more relaxed environment fosters friendship among the swimmers and the families. No previous swim experience required. Our coaching staff love to teach kids to swim!

Our swimmers range in age from 5 - 18 years old. The season consists of six dual meets, on Monday nights, ending the season with our "B" and "A" championship meets. While we are a competitive team, we achieve success in a relaxed, fun-spirited and supportive atmosphere.

We offer a team called the "Little Rays" for our new or younger swimmers (typically ages five and under). This is a wonderful opportunity for younger children who might not be ready for the swim team but would like to work on their stroke technique and become more proficient in the water.

Our regular swim team practices daily Monday - Friday, and we hope to again offer additional stroke clinics throughout the summer (morning and evenings times are available most days).

.

SWIM TEAM SIGN UPS

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Forest Alliance Church 1562 Thomas Jefferson Road Forest, VA 24551

If you have been a part of our team in the past, we look forward to seeing you again! If you are thinking of joining or want to see what our swim team is all about, we can't wait to meet you.  

If you have questions, please contact the Wildwood Swim Team Board via email:

stingraysww@gmail.com

2024 SWIM TEAM MEET SCHEDULE

Pool will close at 4:00 pm for home swim meets.



June 10 - @ Amherst

June 17 - @ Peakland

June 24 – Home vs. Hill City

July 1 – Home vs. Bedford Y July 8 - @ Farmington July 15 – Home vs. FAST

July 20 – “B” Meet Championship (Wildwood is hosting)

July 27 – “A” Meet Championship @ Farmington

FACEBOOK 

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WEBSITE!

 Our website is www.wildwoodpoolva.com. Click here for our by-laws, pool rules, forms, payment information, swim team information and more.