WCM really needs your help

WHAT??? Are they cutting the WCM swim program - AND the coaches positions? Or is the city discontinuing responsibility for coaches salaries?

Our coaches are paid mostly by the city. Their positions have been eliminated. They are just trying to figure out if they will be eliminated in 45 days or the end of the year. I'm not asking anybody for money. We are just trying to drive home the point what a successful program this is, not only locally, but nationally and internationally. No one knows us better than our competition! PLEASE write an e-mail in support of Kerry and all he's done for USMS. We are trying to keep him out of early retirement, and a way for him to keep his benefits- not to mention save our team!

So let me get this straight... Is the city going to have all those kick-ass Creekers swim lap swim from now on? Or are they telling you to build your own pool? Is the program not profitable enough to afford to pay it's coaches? Not to air the WCM laundry here, but this is good and interesting information for clubs to understand. Some of the largest masters swim clubs in the USA do not pay pool rental fees. Some don't pay coaches salaries. So where is the $$ in membership dues going? All that provided coaching and free lane space can be taken away in a flash. Is your club ready to support itself if necessary? If anyone can do it, Walnut Creek and it's incredible swimming community can -

I have mailed the attached letter to the Mayor and fellow Council Members. It is copied below if you would prefer to read here rather than download. May 5, 2010 Mayor Susan Rainey City Hall 1666 No. Main Street Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Dear Madame Mayor and Council Members, More than 30-years ago, the City of Walnut Creek pioneered a partnership with Walnut Creek Masters that today is being modeled across the country in states such as Indiana, Florida, Iowa, New York, Michigan and neighboring communities in California. Your partnership included employing Kerry O’Brien as a Masters swimming coach (Kerry as you’ve discovered has done so much more that just coach the past 30-years for the City of Walnut Creek). Your partnership signaled a commitment to the citizens of Walnut Creek to offer an adult swimming lifestyle program that would be accessible and make a difference in the quality of their lives. In return, Walnut Creek Masters has become a storied and legacy program in the U.S. and internationally. In addition to numerous national team accolades and worldwide notoriety, in 2008 we named our highest coaching award in honor of Kerry O’Brien. Reviewing purely the Cities financial pro forma for Walnut Creek Masters, it appears the program is at worst break even. By eliminating the Masters coaching position, you in essence are choosing to end the partnership with Walnut Creek Masters. The Walnut Creek Masters board will have no choice but to review all their options including what facilities to offer their programs. Please do recognize that Walnut Creek Masters is comprised of more than 400 members as well as hosts several adult swim meets. I would suggest that you risk a lot more than you think you might gain. Later this month, the White House and Mrs. Obama will unveil the National Physical Activity Plan. The Plan has a vision: One day, all Americans will be physically active and they will live, work, and play in environments that facilitate regular physical activity. The Plan is a comprehensive set of policies, programs, and initiatives that aim to increase physical activity in all segments of the American population. The Plan is the product of a private-public sector collaborative. Hundreds of organizations including U.S. Masters Swimming and Walnut Creek Masters by extension are working together to change our communities in ways that will enable every American to be sufficiently physically active. The Plan aims to create a national culture that supports physically active lifestyles. Its ultimate purpose is to improve health, prevent disease and disability, and enhance quality of life. I can think of no better testimony to the Plan than continuing the partnership between the City of Walnut Creek and Walnut Creek Masters. Respectfully submitted, Rob Butcher Executive Director U.S. Masters Swimming

Rob- I hate to be dramatic, but seeing that you wrote a letter brought tears to my eyes. Then after reading your letter, I am so very thankful, as I know my teammates will be. :angel: Your letter is extremely well written, and will carry a lot of weight. THANK YOU. If you are going to nationals I would be honored to buy you a beer! :chug: I got the scoop on the city council mtg last night: Apparently, the city council members were not aware of the exact implications of these cuts. Because there were general descriptions of the cuts (line item), they were not aware of the ramifications of the cuts. According to one person, the mayor had a stunned look on her face when she was informed that WCM does not lose money- the fiscal impact was a big fat zero on the page. This was the first in a series of meetings. Pressing on. BTW, since my students are doing state testing, and now watching a video, I've had time to do some research. Can someone tell me the cost of the Oly Trials pool in Long Beach? I looked at the builder's site, Myrtha, and it said $1.2m, however I don't know if that's for one pool or both?

Karen, you are doing what needs to be done. Echoing Kirk Nelson, Seattle is considering closing some or ALL it's public pools. PNA LMSC is organizing with others to save the pools. However, we'll need to look at alternative scenarios. Our King County let go/boarded up all its pools 5 years ago except Federal Way. 5 are now operated by non profits. The latest, Evergreen is being operated by a USA swimming team and the coach and board are reaching out to masters, water polo, vets and the community to fill the pool and bring in revenue...breaking even instead of losing money which the County was doing. You may want to suggest options: 1) WCM rents the pool at a fixed rate and the team hires coaches, collects dues/fees and guarantees the City the money from the use time. or 2) if the entire facility is at risk of closure, put together a non profit board, hire staff and run the pool yourselves...or through a USA swimming team. USA swimming is seeing the writing on the wall for operating city pools and is training their clubs to take over management. Sounds like you got their attention, though. Good job. I just recommend you keep options in your pocket. The municipal financial scene is not getting better any time soon. Sarah

Thanks Sarah. Good luck with your situation as well. The irony of the USA (Aquabear) model is that they rent the pool at a fixed cost per month. They don't make the city any money. We, as masters, getting bigger all the time, pay as we go. So we generate more money doing daily splash fees than the 'bears do for the whole year. And it's not just a few thousand dollars, it's tens of thousands more. If the city had half a brain, they'd either up the Aquabear "rent" or make them pay splash fees. They too are growing in numbers, but still pay the same yearly rent. :blah: Thanks again, Sarah.

Just sent my email in. Hope many of you do so as well. This is what I wrote. To the Mayor and City Council Members I just received information that the City of Walnut Creek has eliminated the coaching positions for the Walnut Creek Masters Swim Program. I'm sure by now you have heard from many on the team. *I am a voice outside the team and hope that my perspective adds to the overwhelming support for the team and their coaches. I am a competitive masters swimmer with US Masters Swimming for 19 years and a new head coach of a small masters swim team in Novato, the Marin Pirates Masters. I also have the honor of being the chairperson for the Coaches Committee with Pacific Masters Swimming, the regional body that governs masters swimming in Northern California. What Kerry O'Brien and his team of masters coaches has done for the world of masters swimming is nothing short of astounding. The Walnut Creek Masters (WCM) team is the epitome of what all of our teams strive to be. Not only do they have an incredible size team that manages to operate in the black year after year, they have the finest coaching staff in the nation. This team hosts meets every single year and they do so enthusiastically and efficiently. Their swimmers, who range from 19 to those in their 90s, are ambassadors for your city. They are talented beyond belief and make one heck of a presence at regional, national, and World Championships. Everyone loves the team, their swimmers, and their coaches. They radiate good health and fitness and have inspired many, many onlookers to start or return to swimming. ** When I decided to turn my passion for swimming to coaching, it was Kerry O'Brien I turned to. In fact, in the swimming world Kerry is known for his openness and has mentored countless numbers of coaches across the nation. At the National level, not only has Kerry been named the US Masters Coach of the Year, there is now an award given in his name. He has a presence that is unparalleled and carries influence on a regional and National level. So, not only do you have one of the top teams in the US, you have the cream of the crop in Kerry O'Brien and his coaching staff. I most definitely do not envy you the task of trimming your budget, however I implore you to reconsider the decision to eliminate the coaching positions for the Walnut Creek Masters. These coaches, and this team, absolutely enhance the image of the City of Walnut Creek far beyond its borders. Cokie Lepinski Coach - Marin Pirates Masters Chair, Coaches Committee, Pacific Masters SWimming swimnut@mac.com 415-827-5672

WHAT??? Are they cutting the WCM swim program - AND the coaches positions? Or is the city discontinuing responsibility for coaches salaries? They want to discontinue funding for the program by eliminating all of our coaches positions. Kerry is a 29 year city employee with full benefits. This move would greatly undermine our team and all that Kerry and our other wonderful coaches have built, not to mention the total disregard of all of his assests to the city. eg-creating new programs for the city, providing fitness opportunity and training for all citizens, improving the quality of life for many seniors and all ages, bringing commerce to Walnut Creek by the 400 or so people who may stop and get lunch or shop befor/after workout.

They want to discontinue funding for the program by eliminating all of our coaches positions. Kerry is a 29 year city employee with full benefits. This move would greatly undermine our team and all that Kerry and our other wonderful coaches have built, not to mention the total disregard of all of his assests to the city. eg-creating new programs for the city, providing fitness opportunity and training for all citizens, improving the quality of life for many seniors and all ages, bringing commerce to Walnut Creek by the 400 or so people who may stop and get lunch or shop befor/after workout. We run in the black, costing the city nothing. BJ Henry