Summer is here!
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Depending who you ask, this is the best time of the year and the worst time of the year. The school year is winding down, college students are returning home for their summer breaks, and the weather is getting progressively better; however, seasonal pool operators everywhere are scrambling to wrap up their to-do lists before opening weekend (there is never enough time, is there?).
With the opening date for outdoor pools less than a week away, many of you are well into preparations for the busy season. As you work through your pre-season tasks, take a few moments to review your “givens”:
Checklists (opening, closing, daily, etc.):
When is the last time you reviewed your checklists?
Are they still pertinent and accurate to your operations?
When is the last time you went over your checklists with your supervisors?
Have you solicited feedback on things that should be added, changed, or eliminated?
Lifeguard zones and rotations:
How often do your check your zones?
Are your lifeguard stations in the most efficient locations?
Are the lifeguards as effective as possible given different bather loads or weather conditions?
Records (scheduling, water quality logs, etc.):
Are you still doing your staff schedules in Excel?
Are you recording your water readings on paper?
Once we find things that work for us and our facility, it can be easy to put some things on cruise control while we focus on the less consistent items. However, revisiting these items on a somewhat regular basis and getting a feel for what other facilities and jurisdictions are using can be immensely beneficial.
As you continue working through your pre-season preparations, remember this: complacency is what you allow it to be.
Do you need help reviewing your givens? Contact us today to review your checklists, evaluate your lifeguard zones, and go over your recordkeeping.