Recent Update

WV State of Emergency COVID-19

Important Announcement Concerning July 4h weekend:
6-26-20
We have been working closely with the Preston County Health Department and are following the West Virginia Governor’s reopening guidelines to plan activities for the Fourth of July celebration at Big Bear. We are excited that at least some of our normal activities can go on safely by using the reopening guidelines.

Fireworks: We have received approval and the fireworks permit from the West Virginia Fire Marshall. On Saturday July 4th, Hamburg Fireworks from Lancaster, Ohio will shoot a spectacular display from the Big Bear Lake Dam. The weather will dictate the exact time of the display, but just after dusk (9:30ish) is the anticipated start time. You may watch from any of the common areas around the lake, but it is highly recommended that all persons practice social distancing. Also be aware, it’s just not acceptable to have your own firework display in these areas. The Preston County Sheriff’s Department will be on site to help control any illegal fireworks.

Flea Market: The Big Bear Camper’s Flea Market will be open Saturday and Sunday. Current restrictions require every other site to be vacant to assure proper social distancing. Only ½ of the sites will be available for rent. Vendors may contact the office to reserve a site. Flea market attendees and vendors are urged to wear face coverings per CDC guidelines and maintain social distancing. Directional arrows will indicate entrance and exit walkways and should be followed.

Mini Golf and Bearfoot Springs: These facilities will operate on their normal schedule. Please be aware, reduced occupancy restrictions are still in effect.
Church Service: Church service will be held on Sundays at 9:00am at the Memorial. In case of bad weather, the service will be held in the Community Building near the entrance of the Camplands. Chairs have been set up to ensure social distancing and should not be moved unless you are residing in the same household.

Playgrounds: Playgrounds are open for children as long as social distancing can be maintained. Children should be under adult supervision and you should bring your own hand sanitizer for your protection.

Basketball, Baseball, Tennis and Volleyball Courts: These areas are open for induvial or family groups to use. No organized games with persons that do not reside together are permitted.

Championship Wrestling: Sorry this one has been ruled a contact sport and is prohibited by the Governor’s Order. We hope that this will be permitted by Labor Day.

Dance/Concert: canceled
All Territory Activities: canceled

Owner’s Pass: The 2019/20 owner’s pass expired on June 1st. This year we will accept the 2019/20 owner’s pass until June 30th. After this date these passes will not be accepted. If you do not have the current 2020/21 pass you must show ID to verify you are the owner to access your property. Property owners that have not paid their assessment will not be issued any passes of any type until they are in good standing with the Property Owners Association.

Annual Guest Pass: The 2019/20 annual guest pass expired on June 1st. Expired 2019/20 annual guest passes will be pulled from the guest when they arrive at the guard house. The guest will still be permitted to enter the Camplands until June 30th. As of July 1st, a current 2020/21 annual guest will be required to enter. Property owners must be in good standing to get these passes. You are entitled to two annual passes at no charge and may purchase three more for $15.90 each (includes tax). Passes may be picked up at the business office.

Visitor’s Pass: At this time no visitor passes will be accepted for entry. We are still under a State of Emergency as Ordered by the Governor of West Virginia. Owners and annual pass holders may bring in guests with-in their own vehicle, but it is the Health Department recommendation that only persons residing in the same household should gather together.

No Person Shall Enter: No person shall enter Big Bear Lake Camplands that has a confirmed active case of COVID-19; has been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19; has a temperature of 100 degrees or more; has had a fever in the last 48 hours; has loss of taste or smell; has had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours; or is experiencing a cough, shortness of breath or sore throat. The current Order issued by the Governor of West Virginia restricts persons entering campgrounds that have any of these conditions.

We cannot express how important social distancing and face coverings are to protect the health and safety of the property owners, staff and guests. The Preston County Health Department has reported a substantial outbreak of COVID-19 in the local area. The outbreak was originally tied to persons traveling on an out of state vacation trip, but now has confirmed that community transmission has occurred. It has also been confirmed that a person that has tested positive for COVID-19 has visited the Camplands. We are monitoring this situation closely and will take appropriate actions if needed.
We are at a critical time in the reopening of the Camplands. All activities and access to the Camplands can change in a moment’s notice. The WV Governor is warning that if this outbreak accelerates more restrictions will be implemented. We all must be diligent to keep us safe and the Camplands open.

Mark Schooley, Alyeska Inc.
Lindy Straight, POA President

Important Announcement:

Important Announcement:
6-17-2020

The Big Bear Lake Board of Directors met this past weekend and made several decisions on policies and activities for the next phase of our re-opening. Much uncertainty remains with complying with Orders of the West Virginia Governor and ensuring the safety of our property owners, guests and employees. We have been regularly communicating with the Preston County Health Department and are using the Governor’s re-opening guidelines as the basis for these plans.
We are hopeful that with proper social distancing and the use of personal protective equipment we can continue with the re-opening until all is back to normal.

Territory Meeting: The territory meeting scheduled for this Saturday June 20, 2020 has been rescheduled until August 15, 2020. We feel this open forum question meeting is very important and we want to make sure property owners can meet with the Board of Directors (BOD) in a safe environment.
Annual Meeting: The Annual Meeting has been classified as an essential meeting and will be held on the normally scheduled date of July 11, 2020. All property owners in good standing with the Big Bear Lake Property Owners Association may attend this meeting. With the current restrictions ordered by the Governor of West Virginia, property owners are encouraged to take advantage of any means of remotely participating in this type of meeting. A Notice of Annual Meeting will be mail out in the near future, with the option for proxy voting. A proxy is enclosed that you can sign and return with your direction for voting in the Board of Directors election. All owners attending the meeting in person will be required to wear a face covering and maintain the social distancing requirements. Chairs will be set up to maintain this requirement and must not be moved. Owners not attending the meeting can get copies of the financial information and operations report after the meeting at the business office. Property owners will not be able to address the general membership at this year’s meeting.

Assessment Grace Period: The assessment grace period will end on July 15, 2020. The BOD had granted a grace period, in that no late fees or interest would be charged on the current year’s accounts, while the camplands was shut down due to the State of Emergency. Owners have until July 15th to have their current year’s assessment paid to take advantage of this grace period. Interest charges and late fees will be accrued on all over due accounts after this date. Owners unable to pay in-full may contact the business office and make payment arrangements.
Golf-cart Registration and Inspection: We will be registering/inspecting golf-carts on Saturdays 11:00 to 3:00 at Baby Bear Lake (old water slide area). Please have proof of insurance and lot numbers on cart. The $10 registration fee can be paid with cash or check, no credit cards. We plan to set up each Saturday 11:00 to 3:00 for the next several weeks.
You may also register at the guard house on Sundays and Mondays 8:00 to 4:00. This is the only time or days that carts may be registered at the guard house. Do not come inside the guard house. The guard will come outside to take care of your paper work.
We plan on adding some other locations in the next few weeks and will post times as they become available.
All carts must be registered by July 31st. No grace period after this date.

Winter Enclosure Opening: Property owners should have winter enclosures removed by now if they have been using their camp. If you plan on using your lot this year you should have all enclosures removed as soon as possible. Notice of non-compliance letters will be sent out by June 30th. Property owners that do not plan on opening this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, may apply for an exemption to remain closed. You may not have electric service and will not be issued any passes if you are requesting this exemption. Call the office for details.
Owner’s Pass: The 2019/20 owner’s pass expired on June 1st. This year we will accept the 2019/20 owner’s pass until June 30th. After this date these passes will not be accepted. If you do not have the current 2020/21 pass you must show ID to verify you are the owner to access your property. Property owners that have not paid their assessment will not be issued any passes of any type until they are in good standing with the Property Owners Association.

Annual Guest Pass: The 2019/20 annual guest pass expired on June 1st. This year we will accept the expired 2019/20 annual guest pass until this Friday, June 19th. After this date these passes will be pulled from the guest when they arrive at the guard house. The guest will still be permitted to enter the camplands at that time, but will need a current 2020/21 annual guest pass to enter on future visits. Property owners must be in good standing to get these passes. You are entitled to two annual passes at no charge and may purchase three more for $15.90 each (includes tax). Passes may be picked up at the business office

.
Visitor’s Pass: At this time no visitor passes will be accepted for entry. We are still under a State of Emergency as Ordered by the Governor of West Virginia. The Governor’s re-opening plan restricts visitors to reduce the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus. Owners and annual pass holders may bring in guests with-in their own vehicle, but it is the Health Department recommendation that only persons residing in the same household should gather together.

Please be aware, our local area is experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19. Several young persons contracted this disease while visiting an out of state vacation area. At this time no one has been linked to Big Bear Lake Camplands, but we must take precautions to prevent the spread. No person shall enter Big Bear Lake Camplands that has been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19; has a temperature of 100 degrees or more; has had a fever in the last 48 hours; has loss of taste or smell; has had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours; or is experiencing a cough, shortness of breath or sore throat. It is of the utmost importance that we protect our property owners, guests and employees. Don’t let Big Bear be the next hot spot.
We will be making another announcement on activities that will be permitted for the 4th of July holiday weekend in the next few days. Be safe and stay healthy.

Mark Schooley, Alyeska Inc
Lindy Straight, POA President

Big Bear Lake Camplands

6-5-20

Due to the substantial amount of people coming from a large geographical area with unknown potential for the spread of COVID-19, the Preston County Health Department considers the risk of spreading this disease to be high at Big Bear Lake Camplands. These conditions must be taken into account when setting attendance and activity policies. We have consulted with the Preston County Health Department and are using Governor Jim Justice’s reopening plan, West Virginia Strong-The Comeback. Big Bear Lake Camplands can enter the next phase of reopening on Friday June 5, 2020, with the limited services and usages outlined below.

Bearfoot Springs: We will open Bearfoot Springs Friday, June 5 at 11:00 using Governor Jim Justice’s reopening plan. We have had to make several new rules and are required to limited the number of quests that can occupy the water park at any one time.

· Maximum occupancy 250 persons.

· Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Mondays 11:00 to 6:00 weather permitting.

· Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

· All persons must have a wrist band to enter the water park and pavilion area.

· No person shall enter that has been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, has a temperature of 100 degrees or more, has had a fever in the last 48 hours, has loss of taste or smell, has had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours, or experiencing a cough, shortness of breath or sore throat.

· All persons should maintain the social distance of 6 feet, unless residing in the same household.

· All persons are encouraged to wear facial coverings when not in the water.

· All persons are required to use a tube while in the lazy river.

· Chairs have been placed so that social distancing can be maintained. Please do not move chairs.

· Guests are encouraged to bring their own chair as long as the 6 foot distance is maintained between guests.

· Guests may bring their own tube as long as it is similar in size as the park provided tube.

· Persons leaving the park for any reason may not be guaranteed re-entry if max occupancy has been reached.

· Season pass holders are not guaranteed entry if maximum occupancy has been reached.

· Any person that does not comply with the social distance requirement may be asked to leave with no refund.

Season passes and general admission info: With the restrictive requirements ordered by the West Virginia Governor, the POA Board of Directors have approved a special season pass price for this year. We understand that the season has been shortened and there is no guarantee you will be permitted to enter. This special priced season pass is not refundable even if we are forced to close, at a later date, from an Order by the West Virginia Governor or the Preston County Health Department. All other general admission pricing remains the same as last year.

· Regular season pass $49.99 plus tax (normally $79.99)

· Junior season pass $29.99 plus tax (normally $49.99)

· 1 day pass Regular $12.99 + tax

· 1 day pass Junior under 48” $7.99 + tax

· 8 pack pass Regular $79.99 + tax

· 8 pack pass Junior under 48” $49.99 + tax

· After 4 pm special $5.50 Regular $3.50 Junior under 48” No rain checks!

· 7 consecutive day pass Regular $29.99 + tax (not available)

· 7 consecutive day pass Junior under 48” $19.99 + tax (not available)

· Grandparent day Mondays and Fridays! Grandparent gets free admission with one paying grandchild or grandchild season pass holder.

· Buddy Day Thursdays, buy 1 day pass get 1 at 50% off.

Property owners may acquire their complementary season pass at the water park or business office. Please bring your ID with you to verify you are the owner. Owners must have paid current year’s assessment (20/21) and be in good standing to receive this pass. The inside of the office is closed for face to face transactions, but all passes can be acquired at the walk up windows.

Playgrounds: Playgrounds are now open for children. No more than 10 children at a time and social distancing is required. Playgrounds are not disinfected and are, “use at your own risk”.

Beaches: Beaches and common areas around the lakes are now open with restrictions.

· All persons must social distance unless residing in the same household.

· No groups larger than 10 persons may gather and are still required to social distance.

· Beaches and common areas may be closed if social distancing is not maintained.

As we enter this next phase of our reopening, please remember this virus has not left us. High risk and vulnerable persons should avoid crowds. This reopening plan can be changed or canceled at any time by Order of the West Virginia Governor or the Preston County Health Department. Everyone is safer at home and when practicing social distancing. Be safe and have a great weekend.

Mark Schooley, Alyeska Inc. Lindy Straight, POA President