Is anyone else fearing for their swim program due to the upcoming enforcement of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act?
I swim in Massachusetts, and there's a possibility our pool will have to close due to compliance issues.
Anyone else dealing with this? We've been calling our legislators and doing whatever we can, but I think it needs to be a national effort.
Thoughts?
I am more than empathetic to the tragic loss of a child. Last year, my three-year-old nephew died in a terrible, avoidable accident and our entire family is forever changed.
With this act, however, there are several issues that limit or even prevent compliance. A few local examples from my area: at a local YMCA, the pool drain is on a right angle. The appropriate drain cover does not even exist and despite the fact that this pool does not have a suction problem, it will be forced to close.
Our town has had to cancel its entire winter swim program, which includes swim instruction for children, thereby lessening water safety instead of enhancing it.
Our Masters team of 40 swimmers will have no location, despite the fact that we swim at a University and are coached by the men's and women's coaches at UMASS Amherst. The pool will be closed as of Friday and we are devastated, especially since almost every pool in our area will be closing. There are few remaining open at private colleges but there will be no access for our team.
If you want to save our swim programs, it's vital to call your state legislators and let them know pool operators need more time to comply, and that in some cases, because of pool design, there is no possibility of compliance with the law as written. This is way beyond "some capitalist" stepping up. It's about making our kids safer by keeping access to the pools and facilities that teach them water safety.
I am more than empathetic to the tragic loss of a child. Last year, my three-year-old nephew died in a terrible, avoidable accident and our entire family is forever changed.
With this act, however, there are several issues that limit or even prevent compliance. A few local examples from my area: at a local YMCA, the pool drain is on a right angle. The appropriate drain cover does not even exist and despite the fact that this pool does not have a suction problem, it will be forced to close.
Our town has had to cancel its entire winter swim program, which includes swim instruction for children, thereby lessening water safety instead of enhancing it.
Our Masters team of 40 swimmers will have no location, despite the fact that we swim at a University and are coached by the men's and women's coaches at UMASS Amherst. The pool will be closed as of Friday and we are devastated, especially since almost every pool in our area will be closing. There are few remaining open at private colleges but there will be no access for our team.
If you want to save our swim programs, it's vital to call your state legislators and let them know pool operators need more time to comply, and that in some cases, because of pool design, there is no possibility of compliance with the law as written. This is way beyond "some capitalist" stepping up. It's about making our kids safer by keeping access to the pools and facilities that teach them water safety.
