October 2009 Table of Contents

We can always tell when an aquatics operator was not involved in the materials we get requesting our services. Read more

People of a certain age will get a jolt of nostalgia when they read these next three words: “School House Rock. Read more

As the end of summer approached, the prospect of filling the indoor pool weekday lifeguard shifts from 5 a.m until 4 p.m. loomed like a harbinger of doom. Read more

In an age of constant communication, when e-mail and texting have the nation all a-Twitter, communication with members and guests continues to be an area that needs the most improvement. For the most part, the age group that safeguards the guests at… Read more

After nearly a decade of work, the industry’s first-ever set of uniform standards now are in place for aquatic play features, covering water quality, placement and durability. Read more

The CPSC is seeking public comments on a Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act Compliance Verification form. Read more

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission has issued a finding of probable cause of racism on the part of suburban Philadelphia’s Valley Swim Club. Read more

The American Red Cross Preparedness and Health and Safety Services department now is accepting applications for its Lifeguarding (r.11) Program Sounding Board. Board members will provide advice and guidance to assist in the revision of the ARC Lifeguardin Read more

The California Spa & Pool Industry Education Council (SPEC), kicked off its 2009-2010 membership campaign last week at the Pool Industry Expo in Monterey, Calif. The SHARK Campaign, described so because of its hard-hitting message… Read more

The Consumer Products Safety Commission will be holding a public hearing Wednesday, Nov. 4 to receive input on its July 2009 report that specified requirements for drain covers that when attached to a drain made the area “unblockable. Read more

Required approvals are in place and officials from the International Association for the Leisure and Entertainment Industry (IALEI) and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) are moving forward to dissolve IALEI and merge.. Read more

The National Recreation and Parks Association National Aquatics Branch welcomes a new president this week. Clay Shuck has been elected the 2010 president and will serve a one-year term Read more

A waterpark resort has earned top honors among world-class facilities across the nation in a first for Aquatics International’s annual Best of Aquatics Awards Read more

The recession has not drowned pool maintenance expenses Read more

As of Oct. 1 no major large-scale crypto outbreaks were reported in the United States for 2009. Read more

Ever since the 1980s, the school district of Yuma Union High School wanted to add a swimming pool for its competitive team and physical education classes Read more

Generating more money from your old facility might feel like squeezing blood from the proverbial stone, but it can be done. Here are three expert suggestions Read more

In a community where child obesity, asthma and diabetes are on the rise, it’s no wonder citizens shunned the aging swimming pool and demanded a new one Read more

Before a city was even built, there existed a Recreation & Park District in the Conejo Valley north of Los Angeles. Read more

Mobilizing a grand project such as a new swimming pool in a small town like Pittsfield, Maine, requires a citizens’ grass-roots effort. Read more

What does a modern aquatics facility need to succeed? Sue Nelson, aquatic program specialist at USA Swimming in Colorado Springs, Colo,. suggests the following five factors Read more

The following facilities got creative to ensure that their communities' aquatic needs were met — while staying mindful of budgets and other vital concerns: Read more

When the county of Spartanburg, S.C., passed a local hospitality tax for the purpose of building more recreation for its residents, the city of Duncan jumped on board. It secured a note to finance an aquatics center and citizens embraced the idea immediately Read more

These days, when Clay Shuck thinks about next year’s operating budget, he almost feels as if he’s waiting for the results of a biopsy: Will he live or die? Read more

Early this month the International Olympic Committee (IOC) selected Rio de Janeiro as the host city for the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympiad. Rio received more votes than the other three final candidate cities of Madrid, Tokyo and my favorite host city choic Read more

On practically a daily basis during summer 2003, major newspapers in California carried articles citing closures of public swimming pools due to an inability to afford the utility costs, or justify keeping pools open. Read more

Deep-water exercise has been well-documented as a viable alternative to shallow-water and land-based fitness training. Read more