How does an aquatics facility round up volunteers to give tours? Offer full membership in return for four hours of service to enthusiastic seniors, and, voila, you’ve got a Hospitality Team of Volunteers. That’s what Class 16 winner, University Fitness Center at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, did to fill its volunteer spaces.
And these are no ordinary volunteers. Some of the same seniors who were once being rehabilitated for joint replacements at the pool are now giving tours.
The facility opened in September, 2001. It hosts one traditional indoor pool with a variety of programming such as lessons, water aerobics (the most popular), water polo, kayaking, lifesaving, and adaptive aquatics.
The UFC covers a broad spectrum of workouts designed for different purposes. “Aquajocks” focuses on university athletes with sports-specific conditioning workouts and triathlon training. “Special Solutions” works with those suffering from arthritis, MS, fibromyalgia and orthopedic problems, as well as stroke patients and pre/post natal women.
Through both programs, the UAH coaches and athletes have developed a respect for water fitness. Thanks to their water training, they’ve enjoyed some of the most injury-free seasons in UAH history.
