Between 2005 and 2007 the Facilities Development Department at USA Swimming began noticing a trend in pool closings. In 2007 we started tracking the closings while keeping a short file on each one. The map of closings depicts a 2 year period between Spring 2011 and Spring 2013. There were almost 1,100 commercial or intuitional pools closed during this most recent 2 year period. The main reasons for the pool closings were:
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Older pools ignoring or delaying upgrades and repairs to the point that the pool cost more to fix than any budget can handle.
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Pools relying on simple "day pass" income and water rental rather than offering total aquatic programming options.
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Budget cutbacks by cities and schools and rather than revamp the aquatic program offerings for the community, the "people in charge" of the budget simply close the pool.
Solutions the USA Swimming FDD Offers:
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Educate the people responsible for the "fate of the pool" about programming offerings and pricing and maintenance escrows in budget.
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Offer advice and assistance in the best practices for pool operations and renovations.
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Supply an Aquatic Programming Manual (at no charge) to help increase the pools community value and revenue.
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Do our best to make sure all new facility designs have at least 2 pools. The main pool and a warmer water smaller pool for teaching aquatic programming. Programming precedes design.
