Sports Pool Scheduling and Water Exercise Programs

Update on Sports Pool Scheduling and Water Exercise Programs

We understand that recent discussions on social media and in the community may have led to concerns about water exercise programs being limited or removed. We want to assure all residents that there are no plans to reduce or eliminate any current water exercise classes. Instead, what is taking place is a comprehensive review of how our sports pools are being used, with the goal of enhancing access and program variety for all residents.

Over the past several months, staff have been working closely with resident volunteer leaders to assess and review water exercise schedules for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. This process is part of our ongoing commitment to best practices as a Nationally Accredited Recreation and Parks agency. The goal is to ensure safe, consistent, and optimal use of our sports pools for all residents.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Staff are conducting a thorough, data-driven review of how our 12 sports pools are currently being used. This review includes:

• Statistical analysis of past participation numbers
• Input from resident volunteer leaders
• Consideration of how to allow more residents to enjoy the pools safely

Currently, 7 of the 12 sports pools already share space for different activities, including water aerobics, lap swimming, and water walking, with 20 shared sessions per week. This model has successfully managed both safety and noise levels, while increasing opportunities for different types of pool users.

Exploring Flexible and Inclusive Options

Several ideas are being considered to improve the pool schedule while maintaining the quality of existing water exercise programs:

• Using the entire pool for water aerobics when participation numbers support it
• Allocating two-thirds of the pool for water aerobics with lane ropes in place (but unused) and no other programming in the remaining area.
• Sharing lane-rope areas for other water-based programs, such as water walking or lap swimming, when space and safety allow

We are also looking at expanding our program offerings to include additional activities such as water volleyball, lap swimming, and future water-based fitness classes, depending on demand and pool availability.

Enhancing the Experience

As always, we are committed to improving the quality of your recreational experience. For example, to better support our water aerobics instructors, we’ve invested in wireless, waterproof microphones, improving sound clarity and instruction in active environments.

A Collaborative Approach

We want to reassure all residents that no final decisions will be made without thorough discussion and input from our volunteer leaders and community members. Staff is working hard to ensure fairness, consistency, and an enhanced experience across all facilities.

Our goal is to ensure that the sports pools serve all members of the community—today, tomorrow, and into the future. Through thoughtful planning and open communication, we are confident that this collaborative approach will lead to a better, more inclusive pool schedule — one that serves the needs of today’s residents and future generations.

For any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Recreation and Parks Department directly. Your feedback helps shape the future of our community programs.