The purpose of this page is to provide to the Fox Hills community all information about the Pool Project meant to build new pools for the Fox Hills neighborhood.
Summary of activity
Please email Mike Wright, Pool Committee lead ([email protected]) or Max Sneyd, FHCA President ( [email protected] ) with concerns and questions.
Summary of activity
- The special assessment for financing the project has passed, and invoices will be sent out shortly
- The vendor selection and bank financing options are still being explored
- Coastal is making progress on detailed engineering to be approved by EGLE
- Construction to start Fall 2024 and conclude Summer 2025
Please email Mike Wright, Pool Committee lead ([email protected]) or Max Sneyd, FHCA President ( [email protected] ) with concerns and questions.
Pool Project Execution Plan:
- (done) Design and send out survey to Fox Hills, gauging community support
- (done) Meet to review survey results and narrow down the options
- (done) Identify options for architects and select a vendor for pool design
- (done) Get architecture plan with renderings
- (done) Collect bids from at least 3 construction companies
- (done) Put the special assessment proposal on Fox Hills ballot and get support - PASSED
- (in progress) Coastal was paid $5000 down-payment to provide detailed Engineering Plans for the buildout that are EGLE approved. $8000 is to be paid when Coastal submits completed plans to Fox Hills for review and for EGLE approval. Final $8000 is to be paid when all engineering plans are approved by EGLE, allowing the build-out to start.
- (in progress) Investigate options for loan options from banks
- (planned) Obtain permit from the city for moving the fence adjacent to the Clubhouse to the front of the clubhouse
- (planned) Lock in bank vendor, secure a loan, initiate payment plan
- (planned) Lock in building vendor, sign build contract
- (planned - Fall 2024) Initiate build process
- (planned - Spring 2024) Purchase and setup new pool deck furniture
- (planned - Spring 2024) Repair all pool deck lawn, grounds landscaping adjacent to the parking lot and clubhouse
- (planned - Spring 2024) Repair the parking lot (if needed)
- (planned - May 2025) Complete the Pool Project
July 25, 2023 - Special Assessment Vote Results:
YES: 195 (73.3% of the votes; 54.2% of the households)
NO: 71 (26.7% of the votes; 19% of the households)
The Proposal for a Special Assessment has passed.
The first payment is due on or before October 1, 2023.
- 358 eligible households
- 266 ballots received (262 electronic; 4 paper)
- 74.3% of the eligible households cast a ballot
YES: 195 (73.3% of the votes; 54.2% of the households)
NO: 71 (26.7% of the votes; 19% of the households)
The Proposal for a Special Assessment has passed.
The first payment is due on or before October 1, 2023.
Dear Fox Hills Community,
The Fox Hills Pool Committee wanted to take a moment to address the important matter of our beloved pool facilities. After careful assessment and consideration, the Pool Committee has made a recommendation to the Fox Hills Community Association Board of Trustees to propose a Special Assessment to rebuild the pools. We believe it is crucial to share with you the evidence and reasoning behind this recommendation, as we seek your support in ensuring the future of this crown-jewel asset for the next 50 years.
Here are some key points to consider regarding the current state of the pools:
The FHCA Board understands that the Pool Committee’s proposal is a significant financial request. Many months of work went into assessing feasible options and developing the best proposal. The June edition of the Fox Tales newsletter will also include notes from the last Board meeting.
We are committed to providing transparent communication throughout this undertaking. We will continue to share all the details of the pool project through letters and updates on the Fox Hills neighborhood website. Transparency is our priority, and we encourage you to stay informed and engaged.
In the coming days, the special assessment to fund the pool replacement project will be put to a community vote. We urge you to participate and support this important initiative. Your vote will play a vital role in shaping the future of our community and ensuring the longevity of our cherished pool facilities.
We appreciate your attention to this matter and the continued support you provide to our community. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Pool Committee or a FHCA Board member. Together, we can ensure that our pool facilities remain a vibrant and enjoyable centerpiece for years to come.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Warm regards,
Pool Committee
The Fox Hills Pool Committee wanted to take a moment to address the important matter of our beloved pool facilities. After careful assessment and consideration, the Pool Committee has made a recommendation to the Fox Hills Community Association Board of Trustees to propose a Special Assessment to rebuild the pools. We believe it is crucial to share with you the evidence and reasoning behind this recommendation, as we seek your support in ensuring the future of this crown-jewel asset for the next 50 years.
Here are some key points to consider regarding the current state of the pools:
- The pools are over 50 years old and have surpassed their expected lifetime.
- The deeper (dive) pool is visibly leaking, evident from the significant puddle of water in the northeast corner. In fact, both pools leak about 3 inches of water per day.
- These leaks are most likely due to cracked underground plumbing, as indicated by the need to snake out the water drains. When the drains are snaked out - there’s evidence of clay and dirt - indicating partially collapsed and leaking pipes.
- The leaks are causing the concrete pool deck to heave and crack, a further indication of underlying plumbing issues.
- Tiles on the pools are popping off every year due to water behind the pool walls - dozens this past summer, compared to an occasional 1-2 in years prior.
- Repairing the concrete alone would likely cost $150-200k. Addressing the plumbing issues would require significant additional expenditures.
- The pools require re-marciting every 5-6 years at a cost of approximately $60,000 per pool ($120,000 total). Due to their age and too many layers of marcite, the current pools would need the old marcite stripped and new marcite added. This would cost about $240,000.
- Keeping and maintaining the current pools, with a total estimated cost of over $400,000, is not advisable when, for approximately double that amount, we could have two brand new pools with new plumbing, an entirely updated concrete pool deck, and an extended lifespan.
- Moreover, our current dive pool falls short of competition size, putting us at risk our membership in the RASL swim league.
The FHCA Board understands that the Pool Committee’s proposal is a significant financial request. Many months of work went into assessing feasible options and developing the best proposal. The June edition of the Fox Tales newsletter will also include notes from the last Board meeting.
We are committed to providing transparent communication throughout this undertaking. We will continue to share all the details of the pool project through letters and updates on the Fox Hills neighborhood website. Transparency is our priority, and we encourage you to stay informed and engaged.
In the coming days, the special assessment to fund the pool replacement project will be put to a community vote. We urge you to participate and support this important initiative. Your vote will play a vital role in shaping the future of our community and ensuring the longevity of our cherished pool facilities.
We appreciate your attention to this matter and the continued support you provide to our community. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Pool Committee or a FHCA Board member. Together, we can ensure that our pool facilities remain a vibrant and enjoyable centerpiece for years to come.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Warm regards,
Pool Committee
Proposed Design renderings
The below renderings provide the general concept of what the new pool area might look like. These renderings are subject to change based on additional community input, the builder chosen to complete the work and budgetary considerations. Please note: these renderings show a diving board, but at this stage, the Pool Committee believes a diving board is unlikely to be included in the final design and build.
The below renderings provide the general concept of what the new pool area might look like. These renderings are subject to change based on additional community input, the builder chosen to complete the work and budgetary considerations. Please note: these renderings show a diving board, but at this stage, the Pool Committee believes a diving board is unlikely to be included in the final design and build.
What are we getting for this money:
Consideration will be given to additional improvements based on final costs:
- The current shallower (“kids/family”) pool would be gutted, remodeled and slightly extended. The pool, which currently slopes from 3 feet deep to 5 feet would be made much more shallow (6 or 12 inches) on the north end for the youngest families, and possibly include zero entry. It will eventually slope down to approximately 4 feet deep at the south end.
- The current deeper (“dive/competition”) pool will be demolished and replaced with a 4-lane pool that will be 25 meters (82.021 feet) long and 29 feet wide. It will be 7 to 9 feet at the deep end and 4 feet deep at the shallower end. The orientation of this pool will either run east/west and be perpendicular to the current “kids/family” pool (as the current dive pool is perpendicular to the current slide pool), or it may be oriented north/south such that it would be somewhat parallel with the remodeled “kids/family” pool, though the new competition pool would be set significantly farther north on the property than the “kids/family” pool (see the above renderings).
- The currently recommended orientation is show in the renderings as parallel. Many on the Pool Committee believe this allows for a better use of space on the pool deck, and a nice functional separation between mixed-use spaces.
- The entire pool deck and likely much of the underground piping will be demolished and replaced. Artificial turf may be used in place of grass or concrete for some areas surrounding the pools.
- A new salt water system to handle the larger volume of water in the larger pools will likely be added.
- Potential add-ons recommended by the committee (subject to change, based on final budget and community feedback)
- 9-foot depth a the deep end of the competition pool ( as opposed to 7 feet deep required for diving)
- Pebble finish on the walls of the family pool
- Potentially some areas using artificial turf in order to place more tables and umbrellas
- New fencing between the pool and the parking lot
- Concrete slab with gas and electrical hookups in anticipation of a future outdoor new kitchen area next to the pavilion
- Moving the fence line right of the clubhouse (north-west corner) to the front of the clubhouse, providing more mixed use space
- Likely moving the Play Structure and the Gaga Pit into this area
- Bubblers in the shallow section of the family pool
Consideration will be given to additional improvements based on final costs:
- New permanent guard shack
- New permanent awning off of the Community House
- Extension and renovation of the bathrooms
Relevant meeting notes, survey results and documents:
| 2023.06.22 - Pool Committee - Letter to Fox Hills.docx |
| 2023.06.05 - Detailed FAQ regarding the pools |
| 2023.05.30 - Pool Committee - meeting.pdf |
| 2023.05.26 - Pool Committee - Survey 2 - report.pdf |
| 2023.04.03 - Pool Committee - Survey 1 report.pdf |
| 2023.02.06 - Pool Committee - meeting.pdf |