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Despite aquatics staff turnover and a mechanical issue, the Southern Prairie YMCA pool is bouncing back.
The pool suffered a pump malfunction Feb. 22, but the problem was fixed quickly.
“We did have a pump go down,” said YMCA Director Keith Worland. “We have a pump in. We are in the process of ordering a backup pump as well.”
The repair cost about $500, and the backup pump will cost about $1,500. The repair came after the pump, which runs continuously despite pool use, went out because of deterioration from the chlorine in the pool.
Because of the fix, there was no large gap in pool use.
“We had a day that we had to close the pool, but other than that, we didn’t see any large swings,” Worland said.
However, one problem still plaguing the Y is staff turnover.
Aquatics
While more than 1,500 people used the Y pool in January, an increase of more than 25 from January 2016, the Y staff hopes there are no bumps between losing the majority of the current aquatics staff and hiring new staff.
According to a letter sent out Monday to Y members, “there has been recent turnover within the Y’s aquatic department.”
“We had several of our aquatics staff members resign for a variety of reasons,” Worland said. “We have done our best to try to meet their needs. Unfortunately, they’re not going to stick around. So, we’re working on hiring more staff and moving forward.”
The last day for the aquatics department coordinator, an instructor and three lifeguards will be March 17.
“We have talked to a couple of them and got their concerns. We understand that they are leaving and there’s no discussion about coming back,” said Chris Eaton, YMCA board president. “I don’t know why all of them wanted to leave. I know the two are good friends, and the daughter of the coordinator is leaving.”
Eaton said six people have been interviewed and three are potentially going to be hired.
According to the letter, “several discussions have taken place within the board to ensure lifeguards are receiving a competitive hourly rate, in hopes of retaining current guards and attracting additional certified individuals to work at the Southern Prairie YMCA.”
Both Eaton and Worland said the turnover will not cause problems with the current aquatics classes throughout the week as all classes have been covered by current fitness staff.
“A big portion of our pool participants are people that have joint problems or that may not be able to do the traditional land classes,” Worland said. “Doctors are recommending the pool more and more for therapy, and our morning classes, in particular, are going up.”
“Our intentions are to keep that pool open as much, or more than, it has been currently,” Eaton said. “We don’t see any interruption.”
Other changes
Meanwhile, Y members will also see changes within the cardio and weight rooms. Greater Regional Medical Center sponsors the cardio room in the southeast corner of the top floor and donated money for new machines. New equipment will include treadmills with TVs and an elliptical with a phone plug-in, available lateral movements and space to do cross-training moves.
Also, First National Bank in Creston donated two weight-lifting machines for the weight room just north of the cardio room on the first floor.
“(Participants), they’re going to look at it and see they’re trying to make a change. It gives us a better resource to get healthy,” Eaton said. “It’ll save space in the weight room. We’ll be able to make it more efficient and machines won’t be down.”
Worland said staff is also looking into adding another high-intensity workout class and focus on making the experiences people have at the Y positive.
“We’re just trying to make ourselves better every day,” Worland said, “and give Creston the best experience possible here at the Y.”