December 3, 2025: Profit > Accessibility

Greetings,

This week's newsletter title is intended to be click bait because I would never suggest to an aquatic facility that profit is more important than accessibility; being accessible IS profitable. However, some of you might remember this post from a few weeks ago while I was in Florida: SeaWorld Orlando no longer allowing seated walkers in its theme park: 'Disappointing'

This past week, surprising absolutely no one who cares about disability rights:
DOJ opens investigation into SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay over rollator walker ban

Next, coming full circle: SeaWorld Orlando statement on DOJ investigation: Safety incidents in park led to rollator walker policy change

I question the organization's true intentions or desire to change (rather than just respond to the public backlash) because this was apparently not worthy of a full statement under Press Releases on their website (while recognition for being autism-certified is).

And lastly, competitors seize the moment to highlight what they ARE doing in light of what SeaWorld is not doing: Universal Orlando rolls out updated accessibility program

I have a lot of thoughts. I am white, Canadian-born and able bodied; I have a ton of privilege. However, as I've shared repeatedly, my husband has significant mobility issues. As they've gotten significantly worse, I notice hostile infrastructure and design decisions that create two-tier systems to experience spaces (like an amusement park or restaurant) based on unconscious bias towards the physical ability to walk, stand, crouch, wait, etc.

I'm an imperfect disability advocate, but I can absolutely think critically and recognize a bad thesis to a good argument.

Have I been out in the world and seen people abuse mobility devices? Certainly, SeaWorld isn't alone with this: Air India may have a wheelchair abuse problem. Did I see a pet disguised as a service animal on my last cruise? Absolutely. But addressing the bad behavior of some people doesn't call for disproportionately disadvantaging the lives of all people... because you also shouldn't be required to disclose your disability to gain equitable accessible.

I've never been to SeaWorld, and I knew barely anything about this facility before this saga, but all businesses only have one single chance to make a first impression that will leave a lasting and irreversible* memory. Who wants to go to SeaWorld after this? Will they take your child's peanut allergy seriously? Your desire to nurse a baby privately? *without significant effort or financial resources

I often join aquatic projects very late in the process. As one annoyed engineer recently put it, "It would have been great to have your information when we first starting talking about this design 18 months ago, but now it's settled."

I wouldn't be doing my job as an operations/management consultant if I didn't raise the question: my job is to anticipate operational needs, and when you just don't think "disabled people will come here" and can forgo basic design accommodations or allow mobility devices, you end up with Google Reviews like this.

In terms of how you can action all of this information: please notice who is and is not using your aquatic facility. If your revenue is down, there's a reason why. If usage is down, there's a reason why. If program attendance is down, there's a reason why. You, personally, may not "see it" but there is always a WHY.

A quick reminder (because I'm really bad at hard sells!) we do offer documentation writing and management consulting services, which can include auditing and assessing different aspects of facility operations. If you've got a pain point, a blind spot, or even just need a pulse check, we're currently booking new projects for Q1 & Q2 of 2026. Please don't hesitate to reach out to get a feel for how we might be able to help you if you are someone who actually wants to operate pools well.

The first conversation or site visit is always free.

Ongoing Construction Delays First Royal Caribbean Beach Club
The gossip around the aquatic industry for a few weeks now is that the concrete work alone (and associated cure time) was going to delay this project.

Mississippi Museum of Art to preserve Frank Lloyd Wright house in Jackson
I have so many questions about how a swimming pool can legally run into a stream?

Rothschild, Schofield consider aquatic center merger to offset revenue loss
Respectfully, I find it so interesting when a US-based community or organization will just close an aquatic facility when they have an operating deficit (a lot of Canadian organizations will simply require other cost centers cover the gap).

IAAPA Expo 2025 Sets New Benchmark With Record Breaking Attendance
As someone who went to IAAPA this year, and wondered if she'd even get there due to flight cancelations resulting from the protracted US Government shutdown, I can tell you the show floor felt empty. I think this gap of more than 10% between registration and in-person attendance can be ascribed to colleagues who - when faced with uncertainty - just abandoned their trips to the US altogether in the current political climate. Last year's show had over 43,000 attendees.

Association of Aquatic Professionals to Carry Forward Drennen’s Dreams Legacy

Courtenay, B.C., councillors vote to replace outdoor pool with estimated $32.5M price tag

‘Numerous fecal incidents’ force closure of Vancouver Island pool
Serial poopers at play.

Babysitter charged after two-year-old drowns in Lancaster County pond, state police say

Sign incorrectly said Verdun beach was being monitored when man drowned: coroner
I would not be surprised if the family chooses to pursue legal action.

'Can't get 'er done fast enough': Behind the push to open a new Annapolis Valley pool
Part of a greater aquatic facility deficit in the Maritimes now that the Acadia University pool has permanently closed.

Water was very cold: Srihari Nataraj flags pool temperature issue at 2025 Khelo India University Games
World Aquatic (formerly FINA) requires temperatures of 25º TO 28º C. This pool had no heater and fell to 17°C.

The Prime Minister attends final round of Prime Minister’s Cup School Swimming Tournament
I kind of love to see high-level government officials valuing youth sport.

Florida lawmaker proposes vacation rental pool safety bill after Scripps News investigation

Plans to open swimming pool at Birchwood Shopping Centre
We're starting to see a lot more of these types of facilities. While I support the repurposing of these spaces which can be natural community hubs with ample parking and other services, the HVAC systems need to be massively upgraded to support the humidity and airborne disinfection byproducts!

Qualifying exams for NYC lifeguards are underway for next summer

Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program
This crossed my desk via a trade newsletter because apparently pool chemicals can be used in bomb making.

I will be back in your inbox next week (December 10) and the following week (December 17), but we'll be skipping the newsletter on Christmas Eve (December 24) before with our year-end review on December 31.

Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.

PS. Someone asked what's happening with the data collected from the sexual harassment in aquatics survey. It will be released in our January 7, 2026 newsletter.