We have a 25 meter by 25 yard pool and we are asking the pool management to switch the normal yard direction to meters for a meter meet.
They want to charge us $1,400 to cover the costs of moving 4 starting blocks, (we only need four because we are doing a relay meet) all the lane lines and flags. Yikes!
We said we would move the lines and flags. We think $300 would be high but we would pay it. They said they don't want us to move the lines for insurance purposes.. (silly)
Does anyone have experience with this so we can come to a better number?
What would your pool charge for this service?
thanks
Charlie
We said we would move the lines and flags. We think $300 would be high but we would pay it.
Seems pretty reasonable.
They said they don't want us to move the lines for insurance purposes.
Sometimes I wasnt the world to stop so I can get off. Swimmers can't move lane lines and backstroke flags? Who then *does* have the right skills to do it?
Grrrr.
At the public pool I swim at, there are 2 adult swims a day that are 50 meter with lane markers. One at 11 am where the lane markers are usually already in from the morning swim team (and the evening swimmers) and the other at 8:15 pm.
the rest of the day, there are 4 lanes of 25 yards with lane markers. it takes 15 minutes (it should take only 5-10 but the teenage guards are in no great hurry to move the lanes for the 8:15 swim). There are no starting blocks moved as the starting blocks are already in the 50 meter length of the pool and I don't recall if the backstroke flags are available in the 25 yard lengths.
Cost to the swimmers--nothing.
They said they don't want us to move the lines for insurance purposes
Hah. Swimmers move lane lines every day at pools all over the country. At our summer pool the 9 to 12 year olds put in lane ropes every day and nobody has ever been injured. The pool I've been swimming at this summer, the masters swimmers move the lane ropes from 50 meters to 25 yards at the end of every practice. As long as you've got more than 2 people doing it, it goes pretty fast and I can't see any liability issue at all. Moving flags takes 2 people about 5 minutes so that's a moot point too. And here too, nothing dangerous about moving flags.
I can see where they might have a point about moving the blocks, it takes a very large wrench and a fairly strong person to loosen the collars that hold the blocks in place at our pool. And they are a bit heavy so I guess someone could drop a block on their foot or something when moving it (I know a stretch but I'm trying to see this from the pool's viewpoint). It probably takes 2 lifeguards 20 minutes to move 4 blocks so you could pay each lifeguard $25 and they'd be happy.
I agree with the other poster, someone's trying to rip you off. I can't fathom how they could possibly come up with a $1400 price tag for what you're asking for. I would ask again if you can do it yourself. Offer to bring a group of masters to the pool the night before the meet to set it up. And maybe offer to sign some liability waiver that you won't sue them if you get injured doing this very dangerous mission.
If they're worried about insurance, does anyone know if the USMS insurance covers moving lane lines/flags/blocks?
Are lane ropes designed for 25 yards even going to work for 25 meters? Maybe they need to add cable and buy some more of those plastic floaty wave-busting things. Are there lines painted on the bottom that go in both directions? Are there fittings already in the walls to hold the lines no matter which course is set up?
It's possible the $1400 would be the cost of retrofitting the equipment to fit and hook on to the 25 meter walls. But if this is not the case, it definitely sounds like a rip off. Can you post a picture of the pool?
Charlie,
For just lane lines, flags and a few blocks, it's almost insulting that you'd have to pay anything extra for that. Even with only two people, it should take 15-20 minutes to change everything - $1400 is insane; even $300 is unreasonable.
As an aquatic facility manager myself, I can tell you that most of these "fees" are typically built into the standard lane rental fee. Lane space, lifeguards, other facility staff, timing/scoreboard equipment - that should all be lumped into one round figure (and is standard practice). The only exception is in instances where a facility had to move a bulkhead; there, I could see them charging $300 (man and machine power to move those things).
If they're worried about insurance, does anyone know if the USMS insurance covers moving lane lines/flags/blocks?
I was thinking the same thing - it seems reasonable to think that swimmers and coaches would be covered during activities related to pool setup.
The 25yd lanes have a split connection in the middle. A short section is added to get correct length in middle. Simple. We tie a red bandana to set 15 meter marks on line.
That's insane
At one of the local city pools they switch from 8 50
Meter lanes to 25 yards twice a day and that includes moving one of those bulkheads
My other pool
Starting blocks are pulled in and out everyday. They are just trying to make some money off of you
Yeah sorry this is really fishy. If this is a public pool, I'd contact someone as this may be intending to pocket the money. There really are some operators out there.
If it's a private pool, well...idk you are at their mercy.
Charlie, I can't believe they are asking you all to pay for this. I'll come help you do it for free. Their blocks aren't that hard to move and, although the lane lines hurt when you hit them, they should be super simple to change over. In fact, my team, which also practice at your pool, change our pool from 50m to 25 yards after every practice in the summer. We take out 9 50 m lane lines and put in 10 25y lane lines while the lifeguards move the bulkheads. Can you talk to the mayor about this one? I know how supportive he is with the team.
And if you need me, call, I'll come help move things around.
When is this meet, by the way?
