Pool Temperature-It sucks!

The pool I swim at has increased the temperature to 84F and it just sucks.  It used to be a degree or two cooler which was tolerable; it's amazing what a difference a degree or two can make in the water.  I've been told the temperature increase is because the parents were complaining their little darlings were cold during lessons.  I would have more sympathy for this argument if there weren't FIVE other pools within a few miles that are in the same parks and rec district. Plus two outdoor pools in the summer.  One of these pools is kept extra hot, like 89 or 90, as a therapy pool.  

The pool I use is a 50M x 25Y and is used by all the clubs. There is very little club use of the other pools.  I keep thinking this extra degree or so of heat must be costing the district a fortune.  If I could find out the number of gallons in the pool I (or my math smart kid) could calculate the cost

So has anybody fought this fight and won?  Does any ammo I could use?  Health effects, cost etc.  I suspect it wouldn't take a lot of work to bring the other teams and regular lap swimming on board. 

Signed, 

Cooking in Beaverton, Oregon.

  • If you succeeded, let me know how you did it. It seems like all of the pools in the area are going in the direction of trying to please a certain recreation group or groups at the expense of the serious swimmers.

  • I've had a similar issue at my pool. 

    I've cited the health effects of working out in a pool that is too warm. 

    "dehydration, overheating, muscle cramps, heat exhaustion, and other health concerns."

    What's a Safe Pool Temperature? | U.S. Masters Swimming (usms.org)

  • Swim lesson parents complaining vs. Fitness swimmers complaining. I agree with you that 84°F is a bit high. But I guess “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.” And that might not mean the most users, but those who are spending more to be users…i.e. swim lessons vs. fitness swimming membership. Who spends more? So I guess you’d have to amass a contingent of fitness swimmers larger than the number of swim lesson swimmers/parents…and approach the pool management with water temp data for swimmers.
    FWIW, I lifeguard at pool (indoor) and the water temp is maintained at 82°F. But the air temp in the natatorium is maintained pretty high too. (Obviously you can’t control that at an outdoor pool.) When the water temp goes down by the ONE degree, swimmers (other than the serious lap swimmers) complain that it’s freezing. When the temp goes up by ONE degree, the complaints are that it’s too hot. Additionally, when the indoor air temp fluctuates, there are complaints about the water, which will still be at 82°, but are attributed to the change in air temp.
    Dan
  • Have you gotten any traction with your complaints?