October 18, 2024: if you're adding, what are you removing?
Happy Friday everyone.
There was no POOLaide newsletter last week because I couldn't get my life together while simultaneously attending the World Waterpark Association (WWA) conference and tradeshow in Las Vegas. It was a phenomenal show, truly. It exceeded all of my expectations, and I already have plans to attend again in 2025.
I recorded a 75-minute vlog about the experience, including all of my expenses, for those who need help justifying the PD cost to their organization. Even with the flights and WWA membership, the total cost was comparable - and far better value - than most Canadian aquatic/recreation conferences I've attended. That video will be out next week, so maybe you can still squeeze it into your 2025 budget?🤞Please subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified when the video is released.
Also this week: the drumbeat of pool closures continues with Calgary city council confirming the permanent closure of Inglewood; the University of Victoria pool closed until further notice; Summerland, BC searching for funding to do critical repairs; the Regional District of Nanaimo looking to expand on their only pool, Ravensong, built in 1993; etc. I don't want these articles to take over the entire newsletter, but I would be remiss if I didn't point out that these stories just keep coming, and there's no end in sight.
Therme (Ontario Place)
The big story for me this week? Friends in Toronto within view of Ontario Place saw clearcutting reportedly done under the cover of darkness as part of Therme's sweetheart deal with Rob Ford that opposition parties are calling to be investigated. The Ontario government released the 95-year lease agreement and reports of the 2,500 new parking spaces the province is required to provide for the project is leaving rate payers wondering who really IS paying for this project?
I don't know much about this project beyond the news reports, however I will be attending a breakfast keynote at IAAPA, so look for details when I have a full grasp of the project from all sides later in November. Interestingly enough, Therme must have very deep pockets: this other large project in the UK crossed my transom this week as well.
In other news, I realize this is only slightly pool (water) adjacent, but the MVP of products recently?
Navy SEAL drowning deaths were preventable, military probe finds
Details are coming out via heavily-redacted reports suggesting that one PFD may have been incorrectly worn and/or the flotation provided by the PFD was not enough to compensate for the weight of personal body armor plus mission-critical equipment.
From BUDS training to amphibious vehicle training, in my opinion, there continues to be far too many preventable drowning fatalities in the US military. And I say this from the perspective of someone married to a US Army retiree whose entire job was to keep people alive during dangerous training exercises.
Not necessarily pool, but water-related: ICYMI, there are incredible videos of the AquaFence around the Tampa General Hospital during the recent hurricanes. This is a classic example where an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. These videos just justified millions in future flood proof spending for other, less prepared hospitals.
With the issues Canadians continue to face seeing content on Meta, I'm relocating a number of Instagram Live chats to YouTube. This was a great listen about a woman who faced bullying regarding her competency as a hijabi (covered) swim instructor.
In this video I chat with Ngina about an easy, free tool (Namedrop.io) you can add to your email signature to teach people how to say your name as well as quick ideas for your next aquatic staff inservice.
Lastly, the title of this week's newsletter (if you're adding, what are you removing?) comes from a recent Sahil Bloom newsletter where he talks about editing, not adding to your life. For me, it's still a work in progress, but I'm trying!
Thanks so much for being here.
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.