How are you responding to community pressure to close pools?

[Laurie Batter]

Just before Memorial Day, the Associated Press issued a story "Pools dry up after draining city budgets."  We (those of us at National Swimming Pool Foundation, USA Swimming and National Drowning Prevention) were pretty disappointed in the story; especially after I'd worked with the reporter. So we wrote a response, which is posted in my BLOG.

Take a look, comment please, but more importantly, tell us what is working in your community, and what is not! We are all listening!

[Laurie Batter]

Here's an article from Wausau, WI - these leaders are looking for ways to keep the pools open and operating!

Local leaders still back pools despite loses, budge constraints. Lachock Nat'l Swim Pool Fdnt need 4 pillars 4 profitabty http://ow.ly/5fN59

[Laurie Batter]

I'm disappointed in the AI members - as I was hoping to hear some feedback on this critical question. Please comment here, or on my blog! Maybe you are all too busy running your facility? If so, that's a good thing, and perhaps that means your pools are safe from the chopping block.

[Sue Nelson]

USA Swimming, National Drowning Prevention and the Pool Safely Campaign developed a series of workshops for decision makers of cities, counties,park districts and schools who could benefit by attending the SAVING POOLS SAVES LIVES WORKSHOP.  Details below

Our pools in the US are experiencing the results of a down economy. There has been an epidemic of pool closings because of budget cuts and lack of funding in general.  Do we keep trying to operate pools like we are in the 1960's of develop and implement a plan so they can stand on their own financially in today's market.

Dilemma: cities are over budget, pools are closing and this equals no one "learns to swim".  Drowning is the second leading cause of untentional injury-related death among chldren ages 1 to 14 and the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4.

 

Solution: persent the facts, learn from others, and develop a plan.  The workshops will be hosted and facilitated by USA Swimming staff (Sue and Mick Nelson) with the support of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and the Pool Safely Campaign/CPSC. Pools must become financially self-supporting with programming that benefits the entire community. The workshops will present practical solutions and examples that are working NOW.

 

Target Audiences: Decision makers of cities, counties, park district and schools.

The workshops are designed for the above audiences.  The registration for the workshops has been developed by USA Swimming through Regonline. Once the cities are identified they will receive a special invitation from USA Swimming and the host city.  Please if you know of cities in the areas of the workshop please send the name and contact information to Sue Nelson at [e-mail] or call 719-866-3594.

City Location and dates:

Cincinnati, Ohio on July 20th

Fort Meyers, Florida TBA

San Diego, California on September 9th

Seattle, Washington on October 12th

St. Louis, Missouri on November 4th

 

Some workshops will be a stand-alone while others will be held in conjunction with other aquatic conferences. Further information will be coming

 

 

[Laurie Batter]

Thanks for posting your info Sue, please share updates after each session.