HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-21 Public Comment - J. Flikkema - Swim Center HoursFrom:Jacqueline Flikkema
To:Agenda; Cyndy Andrus; Terry Cunningham; lpomeroy@bozeman.net; Jennifer Madgic; Christopher Coburn
Subject:Swim Center Hours
Date:Tuesday, May 11, 2021 7:12:25 PM
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Good evening! My name is Jacqueline Flikkema and I live at 5173 Lindsay Road, Manhattan, MT
59741.
First off I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this and consider my plea to keep the
swim center open at full capacity throughout the summer and to return to full hours of operation
beginning next fall.
My daughters are 9 and 11 and our family has been part of the swim community in Bozeman for
three years. They have experienced a work ethic, friendships and team support throughout their
time swimming. I myself have used your facilities throughout the 22 years I have lived in Bozeman
and the Gallatin Valley. As you can see I am not a Bozeman resident, but I am a member of the
Gallatin Valley community. People come from all over the Valley to use your facilities.
We were told by your pool manager that you are having to shorten the summer hours on weekdays
and close Saturday because of staffing. I understand that this is a problem throughout our valley
because of cost of living. We run in to the same problems as a team hiring coaches as you guys do as
a city hiring staff. Most of our coaches have this as a second income and evening job in order to
afford living here.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Did you know: The Barracudas Coaching Staff contains: 2 Certified Pool Operators (CPO's) with many
years of experience. 4 Certified Red Cross Lifeguards (on top of USAS Coaches' Safety Certifications)
5 Senior group swimmers who are Certified Red Cross Lifeguards, and more willing to train. Every
year for decades, our teen swimmers have worked as Lifeguards, particularly during the summer.
Can we lifeguard when our team is swimming? We understand that if they are coaching they cannot
lifeguard.
Can we help you find lifeguards?
Social media posts, newspaper ads, word of mouth, radio ads or even hanging posters around town
including the swim center.
Can we help you train more lifeguards?
Can we rearrange the schedule to work for working parents and our coaching staff that has day
jobs?
Please bring us to the table to discuss options with you. Please be open to what we have to say as
community members and your Bozeman swim community! Please join our meeting to help
yourselves better understand how this affects the 140 children that are on our team. Thank you so
much for your time we appreciate all you do as elected officials for us in the City of Bozeman!
Jacqueline Flikkema