HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-14-17 Public Comment - J. Mittelstaedt - Swim Center BulkheadFirst Name Jane
Last Name Mittelsteadt
Email Address janemitt@gmail.com
Phone Number 406-600-6641
Comments
Hello
I am writing in support of the bulk head for the swim center. I understand there is a vocal minority who are
opposed to its being installed and that it will be discussed at tonight's meeting. I will try to attend but in the event I
am unable to attend I wanted to express my support of this piece of equipment
Lots of time and materials have gone into researching this piece of equipment thru work with the aquatics
director, the city as well as the Bozeman Barracudas. There were significant funds raised and the bulkhead has
been purchased specific to our pool in Bozeman.
This bulk head allows more flexible scheduling of pool time to better serve the interests of most of our population.
Currently the pool divides its prime time (4pm- 8pm) with 3 competitive swim teams, senior aerobics,
synchronized swim team and even scuba diving certification. Having the bulkhead allows more creative scheduling
to ensure the city can continue to offer pool time to all these activities
In addition, it will provide savings to the city as they can open only one- half the pool at a time during slow times of
the day, allowing less lifeguards to be utilized.
The third benefit of the bullkhead, is it will allow swim teams (Bozeman Multi sport, Hawks and Barracudas) to
host short course meets. Short course runs from September to March. Currently as we only have a 50meter pool
we cannot host short course meets (25yd distance). The money that can be brought into the city through tourism
dollars spent at restaurants, hotels, gas stations, etc would be hugely beneficial to the city. On average a swim
meet can bring between 200-500 swimmers or approximately 100-350 families each spending minimum of 200 but
upwards of 700 per weekend.
I understand this bulkhead does limit the distance our lap swimmers in the community can swim to only 25 yds
during 9months of the year, however, I do feel the impact on the majority of the community is positive.
By installing the bulk head we are not taking away lap swimming and a statement that the lanes will be more
crowded is false. If the city maintains the same number of life guards during the 12-1pm hour and 5: 30- 7: 30am
hours, the times when the pool is currently open for length lap swimming, there will be 2 times as many lanes to
swim in than currently present- they will just be shorter.
Thank you for your time regarding this concern
Jane Mittelsteadt , pool user (lap swimmer) , Barracuda parent, Vice President of Bozeman Barracudas