Throughout America there are many businesses that fall under what is called “Grandfather Clause”. The “Grandfather Clause” exempts existing businesses from expending funds it doesn’t have, to comply with recent legal changes in building and zoning laws. This legal loop hole expires when the business is sold to new owners. Over the last few years, there has been a massive turn over in the ownership of small and medium sized hotels/motels across America. Each of these businesses fell under the “Grandfather Clause”. Well the old days are finally over and so are the ole Grandfather Clauses. If you want to buy an existing hotel/motel you have to comply with making the necessary upgrades and changes within a short period of time after taking ownership. This isn’t so good for the new owner because before even making a dollar they have to pay out a lot of money. Who is going to suffer the most in this economy, the consumer!
While the Grandfather Clause was in effect, previous owners were not required to make expensive changes to their property in order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). New owners, however, are facing financial difficulty and possible ruin before they get a chance to be successful, because they must become compliant under the ADA requirements. These new owners are now being forced to rethink many amenities once enjoyed by previous guests, especially that luscious pool on their property.
In order to comply with the ADA law, each hotel must make the necessary modifications to the on-site pool to allow those who are handicap to enjoy it too. While everyone should be able to enjoy the luxury of a dip in the pool, the cost factor for many old hotels is going to be expensive. For example a 3 foot deep 25 ft oblong pool will cost a hotel owner roughly $37,000 - $50,000 to install a handicap lift or ramp to allow accessibility and use. This cost will eventually be passed onto the consumer in higher rates. In this economy, this will hurt the hotel industry, along with the local travel and tourism industry in your town. While some hotel owners and managers are making arrangements to comply with the ADA requirements, many others are making arrangements to cement over their existing pools forever. This in itself will cost them hotel guests who once enjoyed soaking up the sun poolside.
Meanwhile, while the owners decide what to do with their existing pool, the one outside sits idle. Guests who do not require handicap accessibility must suffer the blistering heat and humidity, while that perfectly empty pool sits empty only a few yards away. Didn’t they pay for a hotel room that advertised having a pool? Owners and managers are embarrassed they can’t accommodate their guests who used to enjoy that special treat while on vacation – enjoying a dip in the sparkling blue water to wash away the heat of travel.
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