HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-17-2020 Public comment - D. McCarthy - Bozeman Swim Center hours for SCUBAFrom:Dan McCarthy
To:Agenda
Subject:Bozeman Swim Center hours for SCUBA
Date:Wednesday, June 17, 2020 6:17:28 PM
Bozeman City Mayor and Commissioners,
I am writing to express my deep concern that the city is not helping small businesses in Bozeman that are impacted by the Covid-19
pandemic. Specifically, the recreation department is not working with Sports Cove SCUBA to provide rented hours to this business.
Sports Cove SCUBA has been in business, in Bozeman, for 30 years. Steve Lantz (owner) used to be a life guard for the swim center,
coached the Bozeman Barracuda swim team, and has taught thousands of Bozeman residents to SCUBA dive. Steve also volunteers his
time training the Gallatin County Search and Rescue Dive team. He lets the Search and Rescue dive team practice their skills when he
rents the pool, and does not charge the county or city anything for that.
Speaking from experience, I am a former Aquatics Director/Manager for the City of Bozeman. When I took over the pools, and while I
worked with Sue Harkin, Ron Dingman, and Mitch Overton, Steve had a working relationship with the city. He worked with the city staff
to ensure that his programs were always safe, and that any incidents were handled properly. Injuries that may occur while SCUBA
training (although none have happened in Bozeman pools) would be pressure-related injuries; therefore, the city lifeguards are not trained
for handing these types of injuries. Only the SCUBA Instructors can attend to those. In times past, because of Steve’s LONG history with
the facility and a written contract, Steve could rent the facility without Lifeguard staff being present. Just like you would rent Story
Mansion without Recreation staff being present the whole time. In recent times this policy has changed, and Steve flexed and changed
with it. BUT, now with the pandemic and the city being understaffed, the CITY does not seem to be willing to be flexible and let Steve
rent the pool with out there being guards present (even though this was a practice for 20 years). I am very concerned that the city, if not
flexible with its policies during this time, will ruin a Bozeman business. Be flexible with the policies at least until you can get staffed
properly and offer normal hours again. Please consider working WITH a 30 year business, be flexible and save a business. Steve has
clients that have completed everything they need to to get in the pool, and Steve being an upstanding Bozeman business person will not
charge them until he knows he can complete their training (i.e., have pool hours). Please save a business that has been in Bozeman for 30
years, it just takes flexibility on your part.
Dan McCarthy
Former City of Bozeman Aquatics Director