October 4, 2024: deferred costs
Welcome back everyone.
I've got a real potpourri of topics in this week's newsletter, so sorry-not-sorry if you don't immediately see the throughline that's obvious for me!
One of the Aquatic Industry Insider topics that keeps getting punted (ha!) is deferred maintenance and the financial cost of operating older aquatic facilities. On the heels of mentioning in last week's newsletter that the community of Inglewood (Calgary) won't let their local pool close without a fight, Vecova - a charity in Calgary - announced this week the facility will close permanently in June 2025 due to insurmountable costs. Please click here' to read my thoughts on Instagram.
In this vein, simply the best explanation of the financial costs associated with deferred construction from a few years ago to now are shown in recent updates to a project in Nanaimo, BC.
'Surprise' leaves Bozeman Swim Center without bulkhead to split pool, likely for a decade
"Contractors informed the city during a recent installation phase that the metal anchors for the bulkhead would need to be bonded to the pool’s rebar for it to be safe." I really, really hope there's a better explanation for this miscommunication than what is shared in the article! This is a huge decision (to leave the pool long course) with long-term consequences for facility usage and the community.
A big fire at a lab near Atlanta spewed chemicals into the air. Here’s what we know.
Days after Hurricane Helene made landfall, a BioLab (a manufacturer of swimming pool chemicals) factory near Atlanta, GA experienced a major fire causing a potential toxic gas release. Investigative journalism now shows this is one of at least three fires at BioLab factories in two states in the last 20 years (original article includes a paywall - please click here for a partial version without a paywall) including Louisiana during the Pandemic, resulting in a supply chain disruption to stabilized chlorine pucks for residential pools. The factory has since reopened.
Couple arrested for having sex in Grovetown hotel pool, continues while looking at deputy
If you've worked as a lifeguard, you know this (nearly) happens more often than most people realize....
Lawsuit filed after 'thousands' infected at Tough Mudder race in Bay Area
5,000 adventure race participants, allegedly including children, were exposed to Aeromonas (a bacteria that causes potentially-fatal septicemia) allegedly due to non-potable water to create the mud. ICYMI, I did a video discussing the drowning hazard at some of these events. If you, like me, have never understood the appeal of this is a good article explaining how we got here.
Yes, You Can Swim in Louboutins
The famous red-soled shoe designer had the French artistic (formerly synchronized) swim team debut his latest collection at Paris Fashion Week directly in the pool.
100-year-old Canadian swimmer Betty Brussel continues to defy odds and break records
What an inspiration.
I spent time this week reorganizing videos on our YouTube channel. Here are some playlists you may not be aware of -
Ruth Lee lifeguard manikin techniques
Presentations
2020 POOLaide Webinars
2021 POOLaide Webinars
American lifeguards have asked me what a spineboard "beavertail" is. This video describes the equipment, available from Canadian suppliers, as well as a DIY towel hack.
I will catch you next week from sunny Las Vegas!
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.