A detailed Scope of Work to include a quality control program is in the final stages of completion, once completed it will be sent to several pool contractors under an RFP (Request for Proposal) and a bidders meeting will be set.  Several companies have already met during the RFP for the closing of the pool and has shown an interest in the seasonal contract.  “Community Pools” WILL NOT be one of them!

As many of you are already aware, the pool has been a big issue this year, there were several factors that contributed to this, they are listed below;

1.            A contract that was provided by the contractor.  One of the biggest mistakes a business can make when contracting out a service is to let the contractor provide the contract.  All contracts MUST be written by the business seeking the service, this insures that one, all legal wording is included in the document to cover the business and in this case RBMC, and second, a detailed scope of work, to include a detailed “Quality Control” program with a non-performance clause.  This not only helps to ensure the success of the contract but in the event of default on the contractors behalf, it guarantee’s reimbursement of any expenses incurred in obtaining another contractor to complete the work or services to be performed.

2.            The water leak of the Y pool. The pool repair this summer cost the membership around $8,500.00 to repair.  This included the leak testing to locate the general area of the leak, the removal/repair of the concrete and pool floor as well as the replacement of the piping that was damaged as a direct result of NOT being winterized last season.  This cost does not include the 15 man hours and $82.00 that was spent in rebuilding the pump house from the pipes busting prior to the pool opening at the beginning of this season.   Now I had a conversation with a previous River Bend President during this repair and he said “I know it wasn’t winterized, I couldn’t get the Board together to discuss anything so I didn’t worry about it”!!  That’s nice, we have a pool that cost this membership over $400,000.00 and a leader that said “ I didn’t worry about it” another prime example why we MUST tighten up our governing documents to include “gross negligence”!

3.            Poor performance of Contractor.  A contractor that made poor decisions in the hiring of inexperienced personnel, lack of responsibility and a contractor that was written by the contractor and in the best interest of the contractor.