Tennis and Swim Center Re-Opening

We began welcoming our homeowners and club members back to the Tennis and Swim Center beginning Tuesday morning. It has been a wonderful week back with our enthusiastic lap swimmers, tennis and pickleball players. We are in partnership with each of you to avoid complacency as we return to normal activities with a focus on safe practices while having a renewed appreciation for the joy of friendships and physical activity. The below link is to our Temporary Recreation Center Use Rules. Please complete the online waiver prior to your first visit to the Recreation Center

TEMPORARY RECREATION CENTER USE RULES

LIABILITY WAIVER AND RELEASE

Weed Abatement Progress

Weed abatement continues with work this week on the North side of the Nellie Gail Ranch community focusing on trail easements using the handwork crews. Next week they will move to the South side also focusing on trail easements using handwork crews The following week they will begin clearing the larger open areas with tractors and the following cleanup crew on areas like Gallup Canyon, the toll road slopes and the slope above the Equestrian Center. Completion of annual Spring weed abatement is tentatively scheduled for the end of May. This work is consistent with the annual abatement required by the City of Laguna Hills.

Announcing the Tuesday, May 12th First Phase Re-Opening of the Nellie Gail Ranch Tennis and Swim Center

We are excited to announce the first phase of our re-opening of the Nellie Gail Ranch Tennis and Swim Centers with revised hours and temporary use rules.  Please review this entire message and all of the attachments prior to visiting for the first time.  The Temporary Recreation Center Use Rules are intended to make the Nellie Gail Ranch Recreation Center accessible to the membership while promoting good hygiene and proper physical distancing. 
 
Hours of Operation:

  • Swim Center – Open to homeowners only from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for lap swimming only.  
  • Tennis Center – 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Pickleball – 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

The following link is to our Temporary Recreation Center Use Rules providing guidance on how the tennis, pickleball, and swim facilities may be used starting Tuesday, May 12th.

TEMPORARY RECREATION CENTER USE RULES

Due to construction in our parking lot and building exterior, access to the parking lot will be via one entry lane as noted by the red arrow and one exit lane also noted by a red arrow.  Access to enter the Swim and Tennis Centers are noted by the yellow arrow.

All homeowners and club members must check-in at the reception desk prior to the use of the facilities. The following waiver is required to be completed prior to the use of the recreation center. Please complete prior to arriving to streamline your check-in.

LIABILITY WAIVER AND RELEASE

Reservations are required for use of the Tennis and Pickleball courts. You may reserve a court via the following link:

Kourts App

Swim lanes are first come first serve. Access to the swimming pool is restricted to lap swimming for homeowners only. With this first phase of re-opening no non-homeowner club members or swim team members may use the pool pending a revision to the state guidelines prohibiting public pool use. We are hopeful of welcoming the rest of you back soon!
 
Please be aware of the following:

  • No person may access the recreation center that is sick, that has a fever or a confirmed case of Covid-19. Any person visiting a facility should wash their hands regularly and/or use sanitizer.
  • Access to the Tennis and Pickleball courts is restricted to residents and Club members only. No guest use is permitted at this time.
  • All residents and Club members accessing the recreation center are required to bring either disposable sanitary wipes or similar cleaning materials for personal sanitary purposes. 

Restroom / Shower Facilities:

  • Restrooms access will be limited to one person at a time (or a parent and child as may be necessary).
  • Showers inside restrooms will be closed.
  • Additional janitorial hours have been approved to implement heightened sanitation of contact surfaces. Janitorial will be in place for all hours of operation.

Sunbathing Use

  • Not permitted at this time.

Spa Use

  • Not permitted at this time. 

Membership Fees:
We will begin invoicing our Tennis and Pickleball Club Members for membership fees again with a pro-rated May invoice. If you paid your March fees prior to our March 17th closing, you will receive a credit for that portion of the month we were closed. For our Club Members who may not be ready to integrate back into activity, you may request we suspend your dues through June 30th, or earlier depending upon your comfort level to return to activity.
 
For those who are anxious to start activities that remain restricted, we will continue to model the local authorities’ guidelines and phase in further openings.

Meanwhile, WELCOME BACK!! We have been looking forward to this first phase of re-opening for a long time and look forward to seeing you soon!

Clubhouse Update

This week the concrete walkways were poured and the new entry trellis was installed. Next week we are looking forward to completing the parking lot concrete drainage swale and asphalt. The following week we near completion of the hardscape part of our project with the installation of pavers at our Clubhouse entry and in the parking stalls. The building exterior will commence following the hardscape and following that we are very hopeful we will be ready to invite everyone in for a long-awaited GRAND OPENING! 

Special Open Session Board Meeting – May 11, 2020 – 6:00 pm

A special open session board meeting will be held via Zoom conference call for the purpose of considering the adoption of Temporary Recreation Center Use Rules.  Rules will be considered for adoption on a temporary basis to allow for the timely re-opening of recreation center facilities. At this meeting, we will present and provide an opportunity for member comments. Nellie Gail Ranch homeowners are invited to participate as well as our Tennis, Pickleball, and Swim Center Club members. 

Draft Rules

Zoom Meeting Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85082051349?pwd=WkwvQWxnaXRGM0VHUDkxMHI4Z0pHZz09
 
Dial-in by phone:  669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 850 8205 1349
Password: 514736
 
If you wish to submit a comment in lieu of calling in you may do so via the following link:

Submit a Comment

Equestrian Neighbors Helping Neighbors

The Moulton Ranch community has several planters at Bridlewood and Oso they have been trying to beautify. They recently installed Agave in a planter to fill in a bare area. However, some of our equestrians who use the nearby horse crossing expressed concern regarding the sharp thorns in proximity to the trail and crossing. Moulton Ranch quickly accommodated removing the plants. Now it is our turn to be good neighbors as they prepare to replant with something that will both complement the aesthetics of the monument and their community entry and not be a concern to our equestrians. Please take care when riding or hiking to stay on the trail and avoid short-cutting across planter areas to access the sidewalk or street. While we are highlighting this for our Moulton Ranch neighbors, it is equally important in our own community at our many trailheads.

Special Meeting to Review Plan to Reopen Recreation Facilities

We have been monitoring the state and county press conferences regarding ongoing business closures and reopening discussions. We have also reviewed reports of local recreation facilities who are making moves to reopen their clubs. We are currently preparing our own plan for a phased reopening and are scheduling a Zoom video/conference call on Monday, May 11, 2020, at 6:00 pm to review a draft plan and schedule for reopening the recreation facilities. We want our homeowners, Tennis Members, Pickleball Members, and Swim Center Members to review our proposed plan for reopening and provide an opportunity for you to provide input. We know many people are ready to start participating in their sports of choice again, while others remain concerned about potential public exposure. We want to create a plan that addresses both perspectives and provides you with an opportunity to give input.

Please put the date of May 11, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. on your calendar. We will send a link to the meeting next week. Meanwhile, please safely enjoy our trails and open space and what looks to be a beautiful weekend.

Annual Election and Special Ballot Measure

The ballots for the June 3, 2020, annual meeting for board member election and special ballot measure regarding mobile patrol security have been mailed by the Inspector of Election. Please keep an eye out for your ballot. Please take time to review at your earliest opportunity, complete the ballot consistent with the instructions provided and mail it in the envelope provided which includes pre-paid postage. We will have a ballot box at the office but it is more challenging to get in here due to the construction and reduced office staff so please take advantage of the free postage and mail it in.

May Pony Express

Read the May issue of the Pony Express HERE before it hits your mailbox.