RSS Feeds
Perkasie News Herald > News
Pennridge looks at options for running pool in-house
Tweet
After deciding not to renew its contract with the Upper Bucks YMCA, Pennridge School District is now mapping out ways to run its own pool efficiently in-house.
Ryan Griffiths, swimming and diving coach and mens’ water polo coach for Pennridge High School, gave a presentation to the Pennridge School Board Activities Committee April 14, outlining what he sees as the best options for the management of the pool next year.
Griffiths, formerly the aquatic director for the Upper Bucks YMCA, recommended a plan that kept offerings for student programming, but also left clear spots for community programming and community groups.
The key, Griffiths said, is keeping the program simple enough that the district can maintain it but still break even or turn a slight profit.
Griffiths recommended trying “to start bare bones,” rather than cramming in too much programming or too much time for any one group that might result in the same drop in usage or disappointment that has occurred for the community over the last couple of years.
“I think if we can do quality on the minimum of things you’re looking at, I think you’re going to see a return,” Griffiths said.
One of Griffiths’ main recommendations was to cut “open swimming” time where community residents can just use the pool at certain hours, and instead offer a more structured form of that by having them sign up for classes instead.
Griffiths did a survey of other school districts in the area that open their pool to the community in some form, including Central Bucks, Souderton, Hatboro-Horsham, North Penn, Methacton, Perk Valley, Upper Dublin and Council Rock school districts.
Of the ten districts he spoke with, five had some sort of aquatic programming director – either full or part-time, some of whom had duties combined with coaching or teaching.
In general, Griffiths said, those he spoke to saw a better return when using more structured programming. Griffiths compared it to people who buy an open gym membership and then don’t go to the gym, while those who sign up for classes at the gym are more likely to attend. Continued...
Ryan Griffiths, swimming and diving coach and mens’ water polo coach for Pennridge High School, gave a presentation to the Pennridge School Board Activities Committee April 14, outlining what he sees as the best options for the management of the pool next year.
Griffiths, formerly the aquatic director for the Upper Bucks YMCA, recommended a plan that kept offerings for student programming, but also left clear spots for community programming and community groups.
The key, Griffiths said, is keeping the program simple enough that the district can maintain it but still break even or turn a slight profit.
Griffiths recommended trying “to start bare bones,” rather than cramming in too much programming or too much time for any one group that might result in the same drop in usage or disappointment that has occurred for the community over the last couple of years.
“I think if we can do quality on the minimum of things you’re looking at, I think you’re going to see a return,” Griffiths said.
One of Griffiths’ main recommendations was to cut “open swimming” time where community residents can just use the pool at certain hours, and instead offer a more structured form of that by having them sign up for classes instead.
Griffiths did a survey of other school districts in the area that open their pool to the community in some form, including Central Bucks, Souderton, Hatboro-Horsham, North Penn, Methacton, Perk Valley, Upper Dublin and Council Rock school districts.
Of the ten districts he spoke with, five had some sort of aquatic programming director – either full or part-time, some of whom had duties combined with coaching or teaching.
In general, Griffiths said, those he spoke to saw a better return when using more structured programming. Griffiths compared it to people who buy an open gym membership and then don’t go to the gym, while those who sign up for classes at the gym are more likely to attend. Continued...
Reader Comments »
View reader comments (0) » Comment on this story »
“A lot of the schools I talked to, they took that open programming away because it wasn’t covering the numbers,” Griffiths said.
He suggested classes could still allow for some open swimming time by having simple purposes like lap swimming, but would encourage more people to attend and use the facilities in a more structured way that met with the district’s other demands on the pool.
Currently the pool is booked for most of the day during large parts of the year between swimming and diving team practice, water polo practice, high school swim gym classes, second grade swimming and also official meets and matches for the high school teams.
Additionally, the pool has some dedicated community groups that use it regularly including the Pennridge Aquatic Club, which has its own meets through the Suburban Aquatic League, Griffiths said.
There are also other groups – like the Perkasie Pirates water polo club and FF Divers in Sellersville – that have expressed interest in using the pool more regularly for classes or events throughout the year.
Those groups would also be charged to use the pool, which resulted in school board members questioning whether rates Griffiths was proposing might be comparable with other area pools, including the Upper Bucks YMCA in Quakertown.
Griffiths said the rate for groups – which would likely be about $500 per week – were competitive, noting the groups were charged about $400 per week by the YMCA. Additionally, he said, there are divides on school district lines that make it more convenient for the users to come to Pennridge rather than traveling as many of the Pennridge Aquatic Club members are local students.
Griffiths did note the Pennridge pool might lose in some instances in that it was built for curriculum and competition, whereas the YMCA can offer a “family fun” area in addition to the pool.
Griffiths recommended the school district use a tiered structure for charging for items, similar to that of the YMCA, including different rates for Pennridge residents and non-residents for classes, and charging for events based on whether it was a district school throwing a party, a non-profit group, a for-profit group or private resident.
The rate Griffiths recommended for 9-week class blocks were $55 per registrant, which would be about $6 per week. Minimal class offerings would likely include aqua-aerobics, lap swimming and other basics. There would also be classes for younger students learning to swim, depending on season. Continued...
He suggested classes could still allow for some open swimming time by having simple purposes like lap swimming, but would encourage more people to attend and use the facilities in a more structured way that met with the district’s other demands on the pool.
Currently the pool is booked for most of the day during large parts of the year between swimming and diving team practice, water polo practice, high school swim gym classes, second grade swimming and also official meets and matches for the high school teams.
Additionally, the pool has some dedicated community groups that use it regularly including the Pennridge Aquatic Club, which has its own meets through the Suburban Aquatic League, Griffiths said.
There are also other groups – like the Perkasie Pirates water polo club and FF Divers in Sellersville – that have expressed interest in using the pool more regularly for classes or events throughout the year.
Those groups would also be charged to use the pool, which resulted in school board members questioning whether rates Griffiths was proposing might be comparable with other area pools, including the Upper Bucks YMCA in Quakertown.
Griffiths said the rate for groups – which would likely be about $500 per week – were competitive, noting the groups were charged about $400 per week by the YMCA. Additionally, he said, there are divides on school district lines that make it more convenient for the users to come to Pennridge rather than traveling as many of the Pennridge Aquatic Club members are local students.
Griffiths did note the Pennridge pool might lose in some instances in that it was built for curriculum and competition, whereas the YMCA can offer a “family fun” area in addition to the pool.
Griffiths recommended the school district use a tiered structure for charging for items, similar to that of the YMCA, including different rates for Pennridge residents and non-residents for classes, and charging for events based on whether it was a district school throwing a party, a non-profit group, a for-profit group or private resident.
The rate Griffiths recommended for 9-week class blocks were $55 per registrant, which would be about $6 per week. Minimal class offerings would likely include aqua-aerobics, lap swimming and other basics. There would also be classes for younger students learning to swim, depending on season. Continued...
Pennridge High School Principal Tom Creeden suggested the district use the adult school registration, already in place, to help save on setting up registration for the classes. Logistics would have to be worked out, and the district had not yet approached the adult school coordinators to ask if it would work, Creeden said.
For parties, Griffiths recommended a tiered system that would charge Pennridge schools just $150 plus the cost of staff. But Susan Schmidt, a Bedminster Elementary parent, said that cost might be prohibitive for an elementary school party. Board members recommended Griffiths and others look at the policy the district has for charging schools to use other auditoriums and facilities and try to match up.
For non-school parties, the pool would be rented for a similar cost for non-profits, and for private parties or for-profit companies that might want to use the pool for a party – it would be $350 plus staffing, or close to $525.
Board members also questioned the pricing on that.
“I don’t think the Y charges $525 for a birthday party, and if not, why would you ever come here?” Yardley said.
Dr. Bruce Bovard, assistant superintendent for instruction, said the parties, which would basically only be offered on Saturday evenings or some other time the pool was closed, are basically just “money makers” and may not be used often but should be options. Bovard said because the facilities are owned by a school district, they have to be charged at a more premium price, particularly to include the maintenance staff that would likely be on overtime.
School board members asked Griffiths to re-examine some of the pricing and some other issues such as how lifeguards would be paid and what the proper insurance might cost. Previously, the Upper Bucks YMCA was paying the employees and covering insurance through their facility.
Many lifeguards could come from the training courses the district offers to high school students, which about 60 students per year complete, he said.
Lifeguards would likely be paid about $8 per hour and instructors $9.75 per hour.
If the district chooses to hire some kind of coordinator or supervisor to run all the programming, Griffiths recommended that person make $25 per hour, which was an amount based on private figures for that job and his knowledge of other similar positions in school districts. Continued...
For parties, Griffiths recommended a tiered system that would charge Pennridge schools just $150 plus the cost of staff. But Susan Schmidt, a Bedminster Elementary parent, said that cost might be prohibitive for an elementary school party. Board members recommended Griffiths and others look at the policy the district has for charging schools to use other auditoriums and facilities and try to match up.
For non-school parties, the pool would be rented for a similar cost for non-profits, and for private parties or for-profit companies that might want to use the pool for a party – it would be $350 plus staffing, or close to $525.
Board members also questioned the pricing on that.
“I don’t think the Y charges $525 for a birthday party, and if not, why would you ever come here?” Yardley said.
Dr. Bruce Bovard, assistant superintendent for instruction, said the parties, which would basically only be offered on Saturday evenings or some other time the pool was closed, are basically just “money makers” and may not be used often but should be options. Bovard said because the facilities are owned by a school district, they have to be charged at a more premium price, particularly to include the maintenance staff that would likely be on overtime.
School board members asked Griffiths to re-examine some of the pricing and some other issues such as how lifeguards would be paid and what the proper insurance might cost. Previously, the Upper Bucks YMCA was paying the employees and covering insurance through their facility.
Many lifeguards could come from the training courses the district offers to high school students, which about 60 students per year complete, he said.
Lifeguards would likely be paid about $8 per hour and instructors $9.75 per hour.
If the district chooses to hire some kind of coordinator or supervisor to run all the programming, Griffiths recommended that person make $25 per hour, which was an amount based on private figures for that job and his knowledge of other similar positions in school districts. Continued...
The activities committee members asked Griffiths to research their outstanding questions and report back at the May 3 activities committee meeting. If board members were comfortable with options presented then, the in-house pool management proposal could be voted on by the board as soon as the May 24 meeting of the full school board.
Board members said they were basically in support of what Griffiths had suggested as long as numbers were fairly accurate.
“I think what you guys presented here has been well thought out,” board member Robert Palmer said. “I’m comfortable enough with this as trying it.”
“I’m confident they could break even at a minimum,” board member Barry Casper, a regular pool user, said, noting he knew Griffiths and respected his work.
The district had opened up to other organizations to seek other options for running the pool and did not receive any interest, Bovard said, noting the in-house management was likely the best option given the circumstances.
“We’ve had it advertised, we’ve talked to some folks, no one’s biting,” Creeden said.
“I agree,” Palmer said. “I don’t think we have any other choice.”
Board members said they were basically in support of what Griffiths had suggested as long as numbers were fairly accurate.
“I think what you guys presented here has been well thought out,” board member Robert Palmer said. “I’m comfortable enough with this as trying it.”
“I’m confident they could break even at a minimum,” board member Barry Casper, a regular pool user, said, noting he knew Griffiths and respected his work.
The district had opened up to other organizations to seek other options for running the pool and did not receive any interest, Bovard said, noting the in-house management was likely the best option given the circumstances.
“We’ve had it advertised, we’ve talked to some folks, no one’s biting,” Creeden said.
“I agree,” Palmer said. “I don’t think we have any other choice.”
After deciding not to renew its contract with the Upper Bucks YMCA, Pennridge School District is now mapping out ways to run its own pool efficiently in-house.
Ryan Griffiths, swimming and diving coach and mens’ water polo coach for Pennridge High School, gave a presentation to the Pennridge School Board Activities Committee April 14, outlining what he sees as the best options for the management of the pool next year.
Griffiths, formerly the aquatic director for the Upper Bucks YMCA, recommended a plan that kept offerings for student programming, but also left clear spots for community programming and community groups.
The key, Griffiths said, is keeping the program simple enough that the district can maintain it but still break even or turn a slight profit.
Griffiths recommended trying “to start bare bones,” rather than cramming in too much programming or too much time for any one group that might result in the same drop in usage or disappointment that has occurred for the community over the last couple of years.
“I think if we can do quality on the minimum of things you’re looking at, I think you’re going to see a return,” Griffiths said.
One of Griffiths’ main recommendations was to cut “open swimming” time where community residents can just use the pool at certain hours, and instead offer a more structured form of that by having them sign up for classes instead.
Griffiths did a survey of other school districts in the area that open their pool to the community in some form, including Central Bucks, Souderton, Hatboro-Horsham, North Penn, Methacton, Perk Valley, Upper Dublin and Council Rock school districts.
Of the ten districts he spoke with, five had some sort of aquatic programming director – either full or part-time, some of whom had duties combined with coaching or teaching.
In general, Griffiths said, those he spoke to saw a better return when using more structured programming. Griffiths compared it to people who buy an open gym membership and then don’t go to the gym, while those who sign up for classes at the gym are more likely to attend.
“A lot of the schools I talked to, they took that open programming away because it wasn’t covering the numbers,” Griffiths said.
He suggested classes could still allow for some open swimming time by having simple purposes like lap swimming, but would encourage more people to attend and use the facilities in a more structured way that met with the district’s other demands on the pool.
Currently the pool is booked for most of the day during large parts of the year between swimming and diving team practice, water polo practice, high school swim gym classes, second grade swimming and also official meets and matches for the high school teams.
Additionally, the pool has some dedicated community groups that use it regularly including the Pennridge Aquatic Club, which has its own meets through the Suburban Aquatic League, Griffiths said.
There are also other groups – like the Perkasie Pirates water polo club and FF Divers in Sellersville – that have expressed interest in using the pool more regularly for classes or events throughout the year.
Those groups would also be charged to use the pool, which resulted in school board members questioning whether rates Griffiths was proposing might be comparable with other area pools, including the Upper Bucks YMCA in Quakertown.
Griffiths said the rate for groups – which would likely be about $500 per week – were competitive, noting the groups were charged about $400 per week by the YMCA. Additionally, he said, there are divides on school district lines that make it more convenient for the users to come to Pennridge rather than traveling as many of the Pennridge Aquatic Club members are local students.
Griffiths did note the Pennridge pool might lose in some instances in that it was built for curriculum and competition, whereas the YMCA can offer a “family fun” area in addition to the pool.
Griffiths recommended the school district use a tiered structure for charging for items, similar to that of the YMCA, including different rates for Pennridge residents and non-residents for classes, and charging for events based on whether it was a district school throwing a party, a non-profit group, a for-profit group or private resident.
The rate Griffiths recommended for 9-week class blocks were $55 per registrant, which would be about $6 per week. Minimal class offerings would likely include aqua-aerobics, lap swimming and other basics. There would also be classes for younger students learning to swim, depending on season.
Pennridge High School Principal Tom Creeden suggested the district use the adult school registration, already in place, to help save on setting up registration for the classes. Logistics would have to be worked out, and the district had not yet approached the adult school coordinators to ask if it would work, Creeden said.
For parties, Griffiths recommended a tiered system that would charge Pennridge schools just $150 plus the cost of staff. But Susan Schmidt, a Bedminster Elementary parent, said that cost might be prohibitive for an elementary school party. Board members recommended Griffiths and others look at the policy the district has for charging schools to use other auditoriums and facilities and try to match up.
For non-school parties, the pool would be rented for a similar cost for non-profits, and for private parties or for-profit companies that might want to use the pool for a party – it would be $350 plus staffing, or close to $525.
Board members also questioned the pricing on that.
“I don’t think the Y charges $525 for a birthday party, and if not, why would you ever come here?” Yardley said.
Dr. Bruce Bovard, assistant superintendent for instruction, said the parties, which would basically only be offered on Saturday evenings or some other time the pool was closed, are basically just “money makers” and may not be used often but should be options. Bovard said because the facilities are owned by a school district, they have to be charged at a more premium price, particularly to include the maintenance staff that would likely be on overtime.
School board members asked Griffiths to re-examine some of the pricing and some other issues such as how lifeguards would be paid and what the proper insurance might cost. Previously, the Upper Bucks YMCA was paying the employees and covering insurance through their facility.
Many lifeguards could come from the training courses the district offers to high school students, which about 60 students per year complete, he said.
Lifeguards would likely be paid about $8 per hour and instructors $9.75 per hour.
If the district chooses to hire some kind of coordinator or supervisor to run all the programming, Griffiths recommended that person make $25 per hour, which was an amount based on private figures for that job and his knowledge of other similar positions in school districts.
The activities committee members asked Griffiths to research their outstanding questions and report back at the May 3 activities committee meeting. If board members were comfortable with options presented then, the in-house pool management proposal could be voted on by the board as soon as the May 24 meeting of the full school board.
Board members said they were basically in support of what Griffiths had suggested as long as numbers were fairly accurate.
“I think what you guys presented here has been well thought out,” board member Robert Palmer said. “I’m comfortable enough with this as trying it.”
“I’m confident they could break even at a minimum,” board member Barry Casper, a regular pool user, said, noting he knew Griffiths and respected his work.
The district had opened up to other organizations to seek other options for running the pool and did not receive any interest, Bovard said, noting the in-house management was likely the best option given the circumstances.
“We’ve had it advertised, we’ve talked to some folks, no one’s biting,” Creeden said.
“I agree,” Palmer said. “I don’t think we have any other choice.”
Ryan Griffiths, swimming and diving coach and mens’ water polo coach for Pennridge High School, gave a presentation to the Pennridge School Board Activities Committee April 14, outlining what he sees as the best options for the management of the pool next year.
Griffiths, formerly the aquatic director for the Upper Bucks YMCA, recommended a plan that kept offerings for student programming, but also left clear spots for community programming and community groups.
The key, Griffiths said, is keeping the program simple enough that the district can maintain it but still break even or turn a slight profit.
Griffiths recommended trying “to start bare bones,” rather than cramming in too much programming or too much time for any one group that might result in the same drop in usage or disappointment that has occurred for the community over the last couple of years.
“I think if we can do quality on the minimum of things you’re looking at, I think you’re going to see a return,” Griffiths said.
One of Griffiths’ main recommendations was to cut “open swimming” time where community residents can just use the pool at certain hours, and instead offer a more structured form of that by having them sign up for classes instead.
Griffiths did a survey of other school districts in the area that open their pool to the community in some form, including Central Bucks, Souderton, Hatboro-Horsham, North Penn, Methacton, Perk Valley, Upper Dublin and Council Rock school districts.
Of the ten districts he spoke with, five had some sort of aquatic programming director – either full or part-time, some of whom had duties combined with coaching or teaching.
In general, Griffiths said, those he spoke to saw a better return when using more structured programming. Griffiths compared it to people who buy an open gym membership and then don’t go to the gym, while those who sign up for classes at the gym are more likely to attend.
“A lot of the schools I talked to, they took that open programming away because it wasn’t covering the numbers,” Griffiths said.
He suggested classes could still allow for some open swimming time by having simple purposes like lap swimming, but would encourage more people to attend and use the facilities in a more structured way that met with the district’s other demands on the pool.
Currently the pool is booked for most of the day during large parts of the year between swimming and diving team practice, water polo practice, high school swim gym classes, second grade swimming and also official meets and matches for the high school teams.
Additionally, the pool has some dedicated community groups that use it regularly including the Pennridge Aquatic Club, which has its own meets through the Suburban Aquatic League, Griffiths said.
There are also other groups – like the Perkasie Pirates water polo club and FF Divers in Sellersville – that have expressed interest in using the pool more regularly for classes or events throughout the year.
Those groups would also be charged to use the pool, which resulted in school board members questioning whether rates Griffiths was proposing might be comparable with other area pools, including the Upper Bucks YMCA in Quakertown.
Griffiths said the rate for groups – which would likely be about $500 per week – were competitive, noting the groups were charged about $400 per week by the YMCA. Additionally, he said, there are divides on school district lines that make it more convenient for the users to come to Pennridge rather than traveling as many of the Pennridge Aquatic Club members are local students.
Griffiths did note the Pennridge pool might lose in some instances in that it was built for curriculum and competition, whereas the YMCA can offer a “family fun” area in addition to the pool.
Griffiths recommended the school district use a tiered structure for charging for items, similar to that of the YMCA, including different rates for Pennridge residents and non-residents for classes, and charging for events based on whether it was a district school throwing a party, a non-profit group, a for-profit group or private resident.
The rate Griffiths recommended for 9-week class blocks were $55 per registrant, which would be about $6 per week. Minimal class offerings would likely include aqua-aerobics, lap swimming and other basics. There would also be classes for younger students learning to swim, depending on season.
Pennridge High School Principal Tom Creeden suggested the district use the adult school registration, already in place, to help save on setting up registration for the classes. Logistics would have to be worked out, and the district had not yet approached the adult school coordinators to ask if it would work, Creeden said.
For parties, Griffiths recommended a tiered system that would charge Pennridge schools just $150 plus the cost of staff. But Susan Schmidt, a Bedminster Elementary parent, said that cost might be prohibitive for an elementary school party. Board members recommended Griffiths and others look at the policy the district has for charging schools to use other auditoriums and facilities and try to match up.
For non-school parties, the pool would be rented for a similar cost for non-profits, and for private parties or for-profit companies that might want to use the pool for a party – it would be $350 plus staffing, or close to $525.
Board members also questioned the pricing on that.
“I don’t think the Y charges $525 for a birthday party, and if not, why would you ever come here?” Yardley said.
Dr. Bruce Bovard, assistant superintendent for instruction, said the parties, which would basically only be offered on Saturday evenings or some other time the pool was closed, are basically just “money makers” and may not be used often but should be options. Bovard said because the facilities are owned by a school district, they have to be charged at a more premium price, particularly to include the maintenance staff that would likely be on overtime.
School board members asked Griffiths to re-examine some of the pricing and some other issues such as how lifeguards would be paid and what the proper insurance might cost. Previously, the Upper Bucks YMCA was paying the employees and covering insurance through their facility.
Many lifeguards could come from the training courses the district offers to high school students, which about 60 students per year complete, he said.
Lifeguards would likely be paid about $8 per hour and instructors $9.75 per hour.
If the district chooses to hire some kind of coordinator or supervisor to run all the programming, Griffiths recommended that person make $25 per hour, which was an amount based on private figures for that job and his knowledge of other similar positions in school districts.
The activities committee members asked Griffiths to research their outstanding questions and report back at the May 3 activities committee meeting. If board members were comfortable with options presented then, the in-house pool management proposal could be voted on by the board as soon as the May 24 meeting of the full school board.
Board members said they were basically in support of what Griffiths had suggested as long as numbers were fairly accurate.
“I think what you guys presented here has been well thought out,” board member Robert Palmer said. “I’m comfortable enough with this as trying it.”
“I’m confident they could break even at a minimum,” board member Barry Casper, a regular pool user, said, noting he knew Griffiths and respected his work.
The district had opened up to other organizations to seek other options for running the pool and did not receive any interest, Bovard said, noting the in-house management was likely the best option given the circumstances.
“We’ve had it advertised, we’ve talked to some folks, no one’s biting,” Creeden said.
“I agree,” Palmer said. “I don’t think we have any other choice.”
Comments
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog. All comments are moderated by the editors. We ask you to follow a few simple guidelines when commenting on stories on Montgomery News.
1) Please post responsibly.
2) Be polite.
3) Don't hate.
4) If you object to someone's post, use the "Report Abuse" button and we'll review it.
5) Users who don't play by the rules will be blocked and won't be allowed to participate.
6) Self-promotion of businesses or advertisements of anything for sale are not permitted.
ADVERTISEMENT
