Hey Everybody-
Guess what? Our coaches positions have been eliminated by the City of Walnut Creek. This is not a joke. Of the Aquatics programs in the city, ours is the only one that operates in the black, and yet they are going to cut it.
If you could, would you shoot a brief e-mail, to the city council and let them know what a successful program this is across the country and in the world. All few hundred of us are doing what we can, but I think it's time to bring in the big guns- you.
Kerry has spent 30 years of his life building this program into what it is today, and helping many of you in the process, please help him and the program that he lives for.
The address is: mayor@walnut-creek.org
and ask them to respond to your e-mail.
Thanks,
Karen Duggan
I understand your plight, but don't see the problem.
Let's assume, times being what they are, that the city does cut the coaching salaries completely. Why wouldn't the club simply raise monthly dues, rent space back from the city (eliminating the per swim fee), and pay the coaches through the club? With WCM over 400 swimmers it should be a slam dunk to operate in the black.
Of course, that's how the Aquabears do it. Yes, it's true that the cheapest annual dues for the WCAB program are $1195 per year as a entry level swimmer. National Level Swimmers pay up to $2700 per year. I'm not saying that WCM swimmers should pay that much, but why should the city subsidize an adult program if they are not doing the same for every other community aquatics program? Where are the city paid coaches for age group swimming, water polo, diving, synchronized swimming, etc.?
The city is on the verge of spending $20 million to update our pools to meet modern standards. The city hopes to move their aquatics programs into the future with amazing modern facilities, more "family" aquatic facilities, and hopefully a new entrepreneurial management spirit. ( www.walnut-creek.org/.../WCAquaticsDraftNeedsReport.pdf )
WCM should embrace what the city is trying to do and take this opportunity to take back control of the program. If it's a good business (and I believe it is), then there should be no problem turning a profit. If not, then why should the taxpayers make up the difference?
Mandrake- We are not getting new pools. That went out the window last month.
I understand your plight, but don't see the problem.
Let's assume, times being what they are, that the city does cut the coaching salaries completely. Why wouldn't the club simply raise monthly dues, rent space back from the city (eliminating the per swim fee), and pay the coaches through the club? With WCM over 400 swimmers it should be a slam dunk to operate in the black.
Of course, that's how the Aquabears do it. Yes, it's true that the cheapest annual dues for the WCAB program are $1195 per year as a entry level swimmer. National Level Swimmers pay up to $2700 per year. I'm not saying that WCM swimmers should pay that much, but why should the city subsidize an adult program if they are not doing the same for every other community aquatics program? Where are the city paid coaches for age group swimming, water polo, diving, synchronized swimming, etc.?
The city is on the verge of spending $20 million to update our pools to meet modern standards. The city hopes to move their aquatics programs into the future with amazing modern facilities, more "family" aquatic facilities, and hopefully a new entrepreneurial management spirit. ( www.walnut-creek.org/.../WCAquaticsDraftNeedsReport.pdf )
WCM should embrace what the city is trying to do and take this opportunity to take back control of the program. If it's a good business (and I believe it is), then there should be no problem turning a profit. If not, then why should the taxpayers make up the difference?
Mandrake- We are not getting new pools. That went out the window last month.
