Ridgewood now offers the option of paying by credit card! Many of you told us you wanted to be able to pay by credit card. You will notice two rates listed for many categories. The first is the full fee. The second includes a DISCOUNT for paying with cash or a check. If you choose to pay with cash or check, your dues remain the same as they were in 2007 and 2008! Credit Card transactions must be made through this website.

In an effort to increase our membership base we have reduced the Summer Non-Stock Membership fee to $395/$380* for our first time families, this also includes team fees! In addition, if a 2009 Summer Non-Stock member buys stock and becomes a regular member in 2010, they receive a $200 credit towards their 2010 summer dues.

As an added incentive to get the word out to new families, we have increased the member referral amount from $25 to $100! If you refer a new family to Ridgewood Pool you will receive $100 back after you and they have paid their full dues. Refer two families, and get $200! The maximum is the cost of your membership. Refer enough new families and your membership is essentially free! (referral is $50/couple, $25 for individual membership)

This year, our Annual Membership Meeting will be held at the pool on Wednesday, May 27th at 6:30 pm. All members are encouraged to attend and learn about the upcoming season. This is an opportunity to meet Board Members, ask questions and discuss ideas to keep our pool vital.

We will again have WiFi available! We’re again planning a family movie night and possibly an extended season beyond Labor Day, weather/staffing permitting.

What’s the best kept secret at Ridgewood? Sunday morning brunches by the Upper Pool! Join us for quiet music, coffee & treats from 11am to 1pm (adults only please.)

This year pool staff will be instructed to not allow anyone into the facility who has not paid all fees in full. This policy will be strictly enforced. Please make sure you have fully paid your dues to avoid any embarrassing situations at the check-in desk.

We continue to offer the installment plan for the purchase of Ridgewood stock. Buyers are required to pay $210/$200* per year for three consecutive years for a total payment of $600*. All payments must be made within the 3-year period, regardless of summer membership, and are nonrefundable. Contact Patty Otterson at the Membership line (848-5289) for more details. (* - includes discount for cash or check payment)

We need volunteers. In order to keep membership costs at a minimum we need your help. Every time we have to contract out, or hire staff at the pool, our pool expenses increase. The more we can do ourselves, the easier it is to continue keeping membership rates stable. In the past there have been a small amount of individuals who have contributed a large amount of time and energy to help prepare the pool for opening, saving us a huge amount of money. We cannot continue to depend on this small group. Beginning this year, we will be asking every member to volunteer for a minimum of one 2 hour time slot to volunteer at the pool. The times available include opening preparation of pool and grounds, social activity volunteers, deliver flyers, grounds maintenance, and closing work at the end of the season. If you do not volunteer we are requiring you to pay a volunteer “buy-out” fee of $50, so we may defer the cost of hiring various jobs out. We don’t really want the $50. We want your help!!! It is also independent of any volunteer requirement for the Swim and Dive Teams. If you can’t commit to a specific time now, please indicate that you would like to volunteer for a 2 hour time slot later, on the Volunteer Form.

There are many members who have expressed interest in an adult MASTERS SWIM PROGRAM. This program will offer organized practices, 2–3 times each week in the evenings, for all adult swimmers to improve fitness and/or train for specific goals. There will be an on-deck “coach” to lead a variety of structured practices to meet the diverse needs of the swimmers. The “coach” will offer individual instruction to improve stroke technique, and starts or flip-turns if desired. This program is only open to adult pool members, non members are not eligible. If you are interested in learning more about this exciting new program, please indicate on the registration form on the appropriate line.

Want to help out Ridgewood while you purchase the things you’d be buying anyway? Ridgewood now offers SCRIP! For details please see the website.