Residents dive in to pool rules

In a sink or swim conversation Thursday, GreyHawk Landing Community Development District (CDD) supervisors unanimously agreed to allow certain floatable tools and devices in the community’s two swimming pools.

A Facebook petition that supported allowing such items in the pools made a splash, generating 142 signatures for floatable toys to be permitted in the pools.

"This topic is something residents care about and want addressed," resident Dean Huff said. "I don't believe there's a rule against using these toys."

The issue wasn’t just about fun in the sun.

"Some of these 'toys' can help save someone or help them feel comfortable in the pool," CDD Chairman Ollie Kyte said, citing Fun Noodles as an example of a toy that can also be used as a floatation device.

Residents who have special needs or medical issues and children are now allowed to use swim assistants, such as Fun Noodles, although they remain banned for play purposes.

"I want my daughter, who has special needs, to feel as normal as possible, and by playing with toys that keep her safe in the water, I'm comfortable and she's having fun,” resident Jerry Cordero said.

The community's previous policy stated that U.S. Coast Guard-approved equipment, such as masks, can be used in the pool. Water Wings, inflatable arm rings designed for individuals who can't swim, were also on the accepted list of pool equipment.

Still, some residents said their neighbors scolded them when their children used Water Wings in the pool.

Huff is the father of a 2-year-old who isn't able to swim yet.

He specifically built a house without a pool, so he and his family could socialize with other residents, while also helping their daughter learn to swim in a community environment.

"Allowing this equipment isn't just about giving people permission to use toys,” Huff said. “She needs certain things to help her learn. There needs to be clarity on whether she can use her arm floaties."

But other residents, such as Ken Weaver, see Noodles and other pool equipment as hazardous, especially if multiple swimmers in a single pool use them. They worry the toys could prevent someone from swimming to the surface to catch a breath or from swimming to the side of the pool for stability. They also fear they could prevent someone from exiting the pool quickly in an emergency.

"I understand certain people might need to use these toys to float, but playing with the toys, or too many Noodles, rafts or whatever in the pool can become dangerous," Weaver said.

Compounding their concerns is the fact that the East County community doesn't have a lifeguard for the pool.

Pool toys that take up excess space and make it difficult for other residents to navigate around the pool are still prohibited — including rafts, kickboards, Frisbees and other toys not specified by the updated rules are down the tubes.

Supervisors can confiscate toys or devices if a safety threat surfaces, or if too many swimmers clog the pool with toys.

"Resident safety is a priority," board member Tony Vasile Jr. said. "Allowing unsafe situations in the pool is the opposite of what we want to do here. Hopefully, making certain exceptions will be a better alternative for everyone."

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected].