How is the pool really doing?

Recently there has been news about an individual’s access to the pool for a summer camp; however, this Top of the Morning is not going to address that.  Instead, I would like to spend a little time on how the pool is really doing.

As of this writing, the pool has been open for 12 days. In that relatively short time the pool under the direction of the YMCA and director Alice Agner have made great strides.

First of all, the pool facility is top notch.  It is fully eligible for swim meets with eight competition lanes, diving blocks and all the necessary flagging and markers.  Within a few days we should have certification from USA Swimming as a competition pool.  If you haven’t had the chance to see the pool you should definitely come to see it.

Since the pool has opened, the Y has sold about 600 day passes at $5 per pass.  We’ve sold 20 family memberships at $65 per membership per month and eight individual memberships at $35 per membership per month.  Our average attendance is about 47 swimmers per day, and that will increase as swim teams develop, the word of the pool spreads and our lifeguard count improves and gains experience.

At this point the Y has held two lifeguard classes and trained about 14 lifeguards.  Some of those will stay with the community pool for the summer; some will go to the other local pools to provide safe swimming for people across Adams County.

We’ve had zero aquatic safety incidents.

There are a lot of things coming up. Soon the Y will have certified swim instructors to provide swim lessons for everyone in the community.  There is an upcoming adult night swim at 8 p.m. June 21 so adults can enjoy the pool without kids.  In August, Sunkist swimming will come down from Jackson to do an exhibition swim meet.  We have a lifeguard class July 10-12, and there are four future guards signed up for that one right now.  The Y is looking at extending evening hours to accommodate people getting off work.

The Y is also working on a movie night.  Christmas in July, where people can get a free pass if they bring a gift to be given to a child during the Holidays.  July 11 is national swim day, where the Y is coordinating with the Alcorn extension to offer health screenings onsite.

This really just scratches the surface of everything that is going on.

On behalf of myself and the Natchez Adams County Recreation Commission, I want to thank the YMCA and the Y’s staff for doing such a great job with the startup of this facility.  The YMCA is a first-class organization, and they are doing an A+ job.

If you’re coming to the pool remember a couple of things.  You must have an actual swim suit.  Swimming in athletic shorts is not allowed.  If you bring your children, you must stay with them in the pool.  You won’t be allowed to drop your children off and leave.

Tate Hobdy is the YMCA supervisor and Natchez-Adams County Recreation Commission chairman.