Is $8,000 to replace a custom pool cover a fair price?

My existing custom pool cover is damaged beyond repair and too expensive to replace this year. I'm considering leaving the 28,000-gallon saltwater, heated pool uncovered for the winter and managing it with scooping and skimming. Today was likely the last day we'll use it. I have a Dolphin cleaner and a top-skimming solar-powered skimmer. I don't want to spend several thousand dollars more on pool maintenance this year.