Pool hours shortened for long-term gain

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

By ERIC BERNSEE, Editor

Can shortening city pool hours mean lengthening of pool revenues?

That’s what the Greencastle Park Board is banking on for the 2017 season at the Greencastle Aquatics Center.

By cutting off open swimming at 6 p.m. nightly instead of adhering to the former 8 p.m. closing pool time, the Parks and Recreation Department envisions a more effective use of the facility and its staff, especially lifeguards.

Pool officials have noted that the 6-8 p.m. timeframe has long been one of the least-attended periods of the day.

By changing use of that time from open swim to learn-to-swim programs, pool party rentals and special events such as Wet, Wacky Wednesdays, Aquatics Director Phil Cornelius and Park Director Rod Weinschenk believe the pool will see greater revenues from that period while lowering expenses at the same time.

“This will make more time available,” Weinschenk said, indicating he and Cornelius intend to “promote it heavily.”

The 2017 pool season is scheduled to begin Saturday, May 27 and run through Sunday, Aug. 6.

In addition to okaying that change in pool hours, the Park Board, at its March meeting, unanimously approved all pool fees for 2017 without change from the past season.

Daily admission to the pool will again be $5 for those age five and older, with youngsters through age four admitted free of charge.

Season passes will be available at $55 for an individual pass, $170 for a family pass (up to four people with an additional $30 for each added person).

Private two-hour pool rental charges are $170 for up to 75 persons, $230 for 76-150 persons, and $300 for 151 or more.

The Bob York Memorial Splash Park can also be rented out at $125 for evenings and $150 for Saturday mornings.

The splash park will open in early May. Admission is free. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., weather permitting.

In other pool-related matters, the board has approved the Putnam County Swim Meet to be staged for the second year as a fundraiser for the Putnam County Swim Team June 9-11.

Registration information is available on the Putnam County Swim Team website.

Meanwhile, an Aqua Fit program for persons 16 and older, led by instructor Tara Gardner, has been approved for 8:15-9 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 11-1:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning June 1.

The fee is $6 per person per class of $3 for pool season pass holders.

For more information about the Greencastle Aquatic Center and its programs, persons may contact Cornelius at 653-3395 or at pcornelius@cityofgreencastle.com prior to May 15. After that date, persons may call the management staff at the aquatics center at 848-1909.

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The York splash park was made for free admission, not to be rented. This was not meant to be a money maker for the park!!!! Poor decision making by the Board!!

-- Posted by Falcon9 on Wed, Mar 8, 2017, at 11:22 AM
Two poor decisions by the park board. Anyone working an 8-5 or first shift job can no longer enjoy the pool in the evening with their kids. If they head over to the splash park as an alternate they might or might not be able to enjoy it that evening because it could have been rented.

-- Posted by greencastleparent on Thu, Mar 9, 2017, at 10:58 AM
I'm wondering if the Civic League and the York family were consulted and are in agreement with the decision on the splash pad. My understanding from Civic League members who were a part of the original project is that it was always intended to be open to everyone. I would also suspect that the decrease in hours may decrease the number of family passes purchased. As a parent who works 8-5, there was value in the pass because we would go to the pool for a few hours most every day after work and even sometimes on the weekends (despite the crowds). I can tell you that we will not be buying a family pass as we have in other years due to the shortening of hours. I would imagine that other families with parents who work 8-5 or other similar hours will feel the same. I encourage everyone to contact their city council representative if this park board decision concerns you. With enough concern vocalized, perhaps these changes can be undone.

-- Posted by workingmomma on Thu, Mar 9, 2017, at 1:54 PM

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