[Black Beauty]

sport pools having Sunday rentals of 5 hours is too much

[Just jimmy]

Originally Posted by BubblesandPat

Yes I have...I asked them why we had to exit the pool at 8 15 when it says combo swim is till 8 50. Was told they need to prepare the pool for water aerobics. Btw those poor people wait an hour or more in the sun to get into those classes! I feel for them. The rec center told me it was a safety issue. I am not sure the designers of the sports pools were aware of these pools are needed especially for our age group. Ps. I have tried swimming laps in the adult pool ad the rec center suggested. That was quite an
interesting challenge !

Not sure where you are swimming but I go to water aerobics every day. The pools I go to we are not allowed in the lanes until 850. Rohan. Seabreeze. Colony. Eisenhower

[mntlblok]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

It's bang out of order when people actually expect to be allowed to swim in a swimming pool.
When will all this trouble making end?

I read the comment before noting who the commenter was. My surmise was accurate. :-)

Speaking of trouble making, I long ago gave up on trying to have diving boards added back at pools. However, I recently learnt of their presence at that fancy indoor pool up in Ocala - a bit west of I-75 - in the precise middle of nowhere we found when we went by to finally check it out recently. Amazing place, though seems rather under-utilized.

Actually *does* include several great springboards, both one and three meters. Interestingly, the fulcrums (fulcra?) are all bolted into their "least springy" positions. Matters not, as it appears to be essentially impossible to gain access to them - or to even get a response from the guy who manages them. :-(

[BubblesandPat]

thank you for the information. I personally always appreciate your honesty and knowledge as many of us are simply guessing on what is next up the road. The developers simply don't like to share this information!

I wish the rec department WOULD come around during "combo swim times" (they no longer seem to have just lap swimming times anymore) to the sports pools and watch the activity for a few days. They will find at least with my own experience a dozen or so people walking the pool (Half of the pool) while chatting away, some of them even just hanging around in a circle gossiping and running in place. (which can easily be done at an adult pool etc) and 5 or 6 people standing waiting for a lane to be available. I have checked out the pool different times of the days trying to find the best time to go without waiting and I have never found an empty pool. Even at 6.45 in the morning when it is 40 degrees outside! Especially in winter when all the snowbirds are in town.
It gets pretty crowded! Some will share the lap lane, some will not, depends on how comfortable they are with sharing a lane. Swimming laps is the only option for many of us who have medical issues that does not allow us to do high impact sports like pickleball. My doctor recommended swimming laps to me and it has been a huge help in my own issues. We feel we should get at least that consideration. I know it seems like complaining, but the balance ISNT there. We aren't asking for much, maybe give those couple of hours in the mornings to just lap swimmers instead of dividing up the pool for half walkers and half swimmers.
Not all of us can afford to put a pool in our backyard, or install fancy spas. We are just asking for a little equal time.

[sallyg]

Originally Posted by BubblesandPat

I understand there aren't many plans for regional rec centers to be built in the south (Which have sports pools) except Eastport. But that like everything will probably change. I wish they gave us lap swimmers more time. Most of the sports pools give limited lap and water walkers pool time. Between water volley ball.and water aerobics it's hard to get a lane. I personally go to ezell at 6:45 am to get a lane. It would be nice to have a couple dedicated pools for walkers and swimmers. I don't mind going further north for it if it's not going to happen south. Have found limited lanes at all the sports pools.
(Look at the schedule in the paper..
) At least give us a couple of days a week where we don't have to vacate the pool for water aerobics or water volleyball. I have limited mobility and swimming laps and pool walking is the only workout I can do.

Agree! It has been an on-going problem for years. Sadly we lap swimmers are outnumbered. The majority rules the pools.

[BubblesandPat]

Originally Posted by sallyg

Agree! It has been an on-going problem for years. Sadly we lap swimmers are outnumbered. The majority rules the pools.

I guess Ill have to see if I can join the water polo...



Sorry I could resist. The visual of that post about horses in the pool still has me laughing.

Seriously though I hear the same complaints from pickleball players who can't get courts and golf players who can get t times and Cardio Drummers who can't find a class that isn't full. I guess its just part of the fun....

[NotGolfer]

I used to water-walk daily...went to Colony for it. One time the lap-swimmers actually forced me out as ALL of the lanes were taken up. It was a combo-swim time. I will share with others but it's difficult to do with a swimmer. So I finally resorted to a family pool and it worked out well. We'd go 1st thing in the morning before it got busy with kids etc. Once in a great while someone would come and do laps but they soon found it difficult to do since we were in. Going the width wasn't what they needed and we were in the way despite trying to accomodate them. I agree with Don Wiley's accessment. People will complain no matter what. I NEED to get back to the water-walking after a long hiatus, due to my medical issues. It's a very good exercise!!

I remember the volley-ball players coming early and taking over. The attitudes reminded me of the hiarchy in high school. Which, by the way, is how it seems with many things here in T.V.

[MrLonzo]

Don't know the reason for the 'dusk' closing times of the pools. To help accomodate more lap swimmers, there could be at least one sports pool in each region (North, Central, South) open late nights for lap swimming only. Nothing like an invigorating swim sometime between dinner and bedtime...!

[BubblesandPat]

Originally Posted by Just jimmy

Not sure where you are swimming but I go to water aerobics every day. The pools I go to we are not allowed in the lanes until 850. Rohan. Seabreeze. Colony. Eisenhower

You know, if the rec people ARE aware of the activity balance at the sports pools, they REALLY need to revisit. I feel so much for the water aerobics. I see people standing in the sun for an hour waiting to get into a class (and some get turned away!) Those classes seem far more popular than water volleyball from what I see.

[Lisanp@aol.com]

It's called the "Olympia Regional Recreation Center". There have been numerous emails, videos, announcements about it. If you drive by it, I believe you will see the location of the sports pool (and the tennis, pickle ball, etc) as it's far along in construction.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

Don't know the reason for the 'dusk' closing times of the pools. To help accomodate more lap swimmers, there could be at least one sports pool in each region (North, Central, South) open late nights for lap swimming only. Nothing like an invigorating swim sometime between dinner and bedtime...!

I suggested exactly that to the recreation department, since there are no lifeguards and the pools already have lights it could be done at zero additional cost. The pools could stay open until the regional recreation center closes and an employee could just lock things up at closing time. Unfortunately, my suggestion went over like a fart in church?

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

Yes, there’s a sports pool coming to Eastport/Olympia Regional Rec Center according to the plans that have been submitted and permitted.


I agree that more time maybe could be allocated to lap swimmers, but how much? How many lap swimmers are there using the pool to swim laps each day, based on my own personal observations, it is a very small number. Is it fair to the rest of the residents to have to stand around and wait to use the Sports pool (not called a Lap pool) to play water polo, water volleyball, or water aerobics while it sits empty or 1 person is using it to swim laps or may want to swim laps. I think not. I know John Rohan and many of the staff at the parks and recreation department and they make their decision based on facts and data.

The rec department could simply combine all the house allocated to lap swimming and apply it to one facility and reserve it for 8 hours a day 7 days a week for lap swimming. But then that would disenfranchise many more residents that live around that RRC, and of course the complaints would start here on ToTV and on NextDoor about how unfair it is that they have to drive “all that way” to get to the only pool that allows lap swimming.

It’s a balance and no matter what, someone is always going to be unhappy and complain.

On any given day if one is not the first 8 then you have to find someone to share. Line starts to form at least 30 minutes before open. Those who don’t make initial 8 slots will share non rope lane, until lane opens. Usually there are 3-8 waiting. Bonus some only swim for 20-30 minutes, then some swim couple of miles, which at age 70-80;should be 38 minutes per mile (not my stats but noted in many swim mags)

Also we get to share lanes with HS and College kids who’s grands get permission for them to take lanes and needing practice, will use most of the open swim time.

The only time I see less than 8-15 lap swimmers is outside temp of below 50. Which sports pools don’t have to open but certain pools will. At 50degrees you will see the core 8 swimmers everyday, and no matter the temp if it’s open they swim. My cut off is high 40s.

It would be nice just to have certain pool for lap only and net games at others, as you suggested. I would drive and probably many, Lap or Net residents would go that extra 10-15 minutes for just lane or net. My core circle of sports pools was Seabreeze, Colony, Eisenhower, and Ezell. I have never understood why as big as TV is that some stay within their less than 10 minute circle.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by thelegges

On any given day if one is not the first 8 then you have to find someone to share. Line starts to form at least 30 minutes before open. Those who don’t make initial 8 slots will share non rope lane, until lane opens. Usually there are 3-8 waiting. Bonus some only swim for 20-30 minutes, then some swim couple of miles, which at age 70-80;should be 38 minutes per mile (not my stats but noted in many swim mags)

Also we get to share lanes with HS and College kids who’s grands get permission for them to take lanes and needing practice, will use most of the open swim time.

The only time I see less than 8-15 lap swimmers is outside temp of below 50. Which sports pools don’t have to open but certain pools will. At 50degrees you will see the core 8 swimmers everyday, and no matter the temp if it’s open they swim. My cut off is high 40s.

It would be nice just to have certain pool for lap only and net games at others, as you suggested. I would drive and probably many, Lap or Net residents would go that extra 10-15 minutes for just lane or net. My core circle of sports pools was Seabreeze, Colony, Eisenhower, and Ezell. I have never understood why as big as TV is that some stay within their less than 10 minute circle.

Good and accurate post regarding getting a lane. 38 minutes per mile is pretty fast for a senior, more like the pace members of the Villages aquatic swim team might go. It takes me about 1 hour and 25 minutes for my swim, which is 1 3/4 miles, so about 48 minutes per mile (which includes doing a quarter mile with a kickboard). I love swimming in January, the colder the better. Once the temperature gets below 45 degrees the pools are practically empty. I’m not sure why, the water is heated? Plus, most of the group activities get canceled, opening up bonus swim times. My core circle of sports pools radiates around Laurel Manor and includes La Hacienda, Mulberry, Lake Miona, Colony Cottage, and Sea Breeze. It all depends on the daily schedule and what pools are currently closed for maintenance. And if I play golf at Belle Glade I will swim afterwards at Rohan, or Eisenhower after playing Evans Praire, since I am already in the area.

[BubblesandPat]

Originally Posted by thelegges

On any given day if one is not the first 8 then you have to find someone to share. Line starts to form at least 30 minutes before open. Those who don’t make initial 8 slots will share non rope lane, until lane opens. Usually there are 3-8 waiting. Bonus some only swim for 20-30 minutes, then some swim couple of miles, which at age 70-80;should be 38 minutes per mile (not my stats but noted in many swim mags)

Also we get to share lanes with HS and College kids who’s grands get permission for them to take lanes and needing practice, will use most of the open swim time.

The only time I see less than 8-15 lap swimmers is outside temp of below 50. Which sports pools don’t have to open but certain pools will. At 50degrees you will see the core 8 swimmers everyday, and no matter the temp if it’s open they swim. My cut off is high 40s.

It would be nice just to have certain pool for lap only and net games at others, as you suggested. I would drive and probably many, Lap or Net residents would go that extra 10-15 minutes for just lane or net. My core circle of sports pools was Seabreeze, Colony, Eisenhower, and Ezell. I have never understood why as big as TV is that some stay within their less than 10 minute circle.

So agree!!!!

[mntlblok]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Good and accurate post regarding getting a lane. 38 minutes per mile is pretty fast for a senior, more like the pace members of the Villages aquatic swim team might go. It takes me about 1 hour and 25 minutes for my swim, which is 1 3/4 miles, so about 48 minutes per mile (which includes doing a quarter mile with a kickboard). I love swimming in January, the colder the better. Once the temperature gets below 45 degrees the pools are practically empty. I’m not sure why, the water is heated? Plus, most of the group activities get canceled, opening up bonus swim times. My core circle of sports pools radiates around Laurel Manor and includes La Hacienda, Mulberry, Lake Miona, Colony Cottage, and Sea Breeze. It all depends on the daily schedule and what pools are currently closed for maintenance. And if I play golf at Belle Glade I will swim afterwards at Rohan, or Eisenhower after playing Evans Praire, since I am already in the area.

Are you not getting *any* couch time?? :-)