From Facebook: Sally Welsh, Instructor at the LW Pool answers a question from AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

[Note: In a video to be uploaded later in the week, you'll hear from Lake Worth City Manager Michael Bornstein about the extreme budgetary constraints at the Casino/beach complex. Much of the maintenance and upkeep is being deferred to keep the daily operations funded and this situation is not sustainable or safe. Bornstein points out that the Director of Leisure Services, Juan Ruiz and his staff, are doing a commendable job with funding available.]

I have a question. Why and how did the activities stop at our Olympic swimming pool some 8 years ago. - AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Hello Annemarie, I can answer that question. As one of the guards last on deck, before remodeling of Casino, They have no intentions of the pool "making it". The current hours of operation, the set-up of constant 50 meter landlines taking all fun out of a family swim time, the empty baby pool area,lack of use of diving board during open hours, no city man programs, is just to name a few things that contribute to the failure of the re-opening of our dear Casino pool.

Two full time "pool" guards, with, two part time summer pool guards, 1 full time Cashier,1 part time cashier, kept the pool open for business, 365 days, for years!!!!.Hurricanes and damage from them is the only reason pool was ever closed! 9 to 5 were the hours of operation. Summer I had the option of opening early to offer a water exercise class at 8:15am. Friday nights pool was open with summer guards till 8pm.

In one week 4 guards (two full time, two summer part time,and cashier) managed, over 3,000 public swimmers walking thru the door. 180 public learn to swim students, 1, 800 camp children, swimming twice a week, 300 water exercise adults, various rentals, scuba diving, parties, PBC Fire training, Life guarding classes, CPR training classes, even pool deck sit and be fit classes.

It takes one dynamic, self driven employee that will not take "no we can't" as an answer. It takes communication,public awareness,free local advertising, public school education, and a department that wants the pool succeed!

That's why I wasn't called back, interviewed, and they hired a water park manager that had never taught swim lesson let alone,manage operated design anything to draw the public. She quit months later, position has not been refilled????? Where is that budgeted money??

Anne Marie, as the pool is a residents, home owner, tourist, SERVICE, the attitude has been IT WONT MAKE IT from the beginning.

Very sad.

No one is held accountable, the reminder that this is your job to "make it" successful with what the city budjets, doesn't seem to be the direction the pool has been lead towards.

I have kept quiet for two years since the pool has reopened. I have been working all along without a contract or any secured space in pool.

Life goes on..... I currently have over 100 water exercise students meeting three days a week. Myself "1 teacher learn to swim" program has reach 50 students and parents and its not even summer!
Can one person make a difference????? I'm still trying.

Than you for asking!

Sally Welsh-Chapela

Mermaid,welsh@gmail.com


[This is a video I put together of one of Sally's classes. She is a great asset and her classes are FUN! Come join us - 10 a.m., Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Just $5 and you pay Sally, who in turn pays for lane rental.]