OCTOBER 2024
GVREC.ORG
Aquatics Update A quick cruise through the Green Valley Recreation website reveals an enormous menu of fun and fitness for our members. At the heart of those options are 13 aquatics facilities. GVR pools are in daily use by lap swimmers, walkers, aerobicizers, and bobbers. In the last year, Aqua Zumba and Aqua Yoga have debuted to a great response. Only GVR’s fitness centers are more popular. Pool operators work seven days a week to maintain a little over 1.1 million gallons of water and the facilities that contain and condition that water. Over the summer, GVR’s new Facilities Director Steve Mendoza prioritized the aquatics department to improve GVR’s practices and get a clear understanding of our aquatics assets and liabilities.
The good news: twelve of the pools are in good shape. Equipment upgrades and improved maintenance practices were recommended, but generally, even our oldest pools (on page 6) got a clean bill of health.
The first thing Steve did was hire Aquatics Design International (ADI) to assess all our pools and spas. ADI was selected due to their impressive credentials and their fine work designing the Abrego North and East Center pools. ADI staff assessed each facility from stem (pump rooms) to stern (water quality). They then delivered detailed descriptions of their findings and a summary of recommendations.
The second thing Steve did was promote Craig Mohlman to Aquatics Supervisor. Under Craig’s leadership the aquatics team will complete thorough and ongoing training and the maintenance practices recommended by ADI will be implemented. Equipment maintenance and replacement schedules are being developed or refined. Members can expect to see top-notch water conditions and fewer unplanned closures that result from unexpected equipment failure.
The bad news: the Desert Hills pool may need extensive plumbing repairs. Staff are pursuing a second opinion and will bring recommendations to the Board this fall. More good news: Several years ago, GVR established a savings account for just this scenario. That account already has most if not all of the money we will need to address the problems at Desert Hills.
How was your swim? Email me: CraigM@GVRec.org
GVR’s Facilities Director Steve Mendoza and Aquatics Supervisor Craig Mohlman ensure optimal water quality at West Center pool.
Continued on page 6