HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-25-2020 Public Comment - J. Wilkins - Sports Cove SolutionFrom:Jay Wilkins
To:Agenda
Subject:Sports Cove Solution
Date:Thursday, June 25, 2020 9:48:40 AM
Importance:High
Bozeman City Mayor and Commissioners.
I am a retired SCUBA instructor that taught here in Bozeman from 1994 through 2004. I worked
solely for the local dive shop The Sports Cove teaching local classed and taking large groups on dive
vacations throughout the world. It has been brought to my attention that this longstanding local
business is now in serious jeopardy. The Sports Cove is a unique business we are very fortunate to
have in Bozeman. It provides SCUBA certification and travel opportunities for thousands of people
not only from Bozeman but, also the outlying areas. When I was teaching I had students from
Gardiner, Ennis, Helena and from the multiple communities within the Gallatin Valley. Additionally,
the travel and educational services are exceptional and we are lucky to have this facility here in
Bozeman. Thanks to the Sports Cove both my children have had experiences and opportunities that
have expanded their education and understanding of the world we live in.
Speaking from experience, as a dive Instructor and Divemaster my training went far beyond the
rigors and knowledge of standard lifeguard training. To be a certified instructor you have the
standard aquatic rescue training with the added components of dealing with the pressure and
equipment related safety issues unique to SCUBA. 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. The entire time I was teaching, the Sports Cove could rent the facility without
lifeguard staff being present. Unbeknownst to me, and a complete surprise, this policy changed
sometime after I retired from teaching. Current policy is that at lifeguard must be at the facility
during SCUBA class. When I was told this I found that rather strange due to the high level of training
the dive Instructors and Divemasters (assistants) go through prior to certification. Since my first
dive in the pool 1988 there never was a lifeguard on staff during class.
I would ask that the commission please review the history, safety record, rigorous requirements and
training of Steve and his staff and, combine this with the very unique situation we are all in the midst
of, and allow this unique business to use the Swim Center facility in the manner they had for the
majority of the businesses existence. Losing this 30+ year old business would be a sad and wholly
unnecessary blow to this community. The local dive community here is a vibrant, varied community
that contributes to the education, safety and wellbeing through the local Search and Rescue, local
businesses, social awareness and travel industry. Please take this under serious consideration and
allow the Sports Cove to temporarily have training classes with no lifeguard requirement, in
comparison to the many challenges you are facing this is an easy, history fact based, decision that
will help the local business community survive.
Your time and expedience in this matter is greatly appreciated. Please contact me with any
questions you may have.
Kind Regards,
Jay Wilkins| Directory of Operations and Engineering|Elemental Scientific Lasers|Office: +1 406
586 3159 ext 2806|Mobile: +1 303 618 7460|jwilkins@icpms.com |