Town, school agree on pool

By Scott Merzbach
Staff Writer

Published on December 14, 2007

Swimming lessons, open swims and senior swims are resuming now that the town and schools have come to an agreement for use of the middle school swimming pool.

The "Agreement for the Cooperative Use of the Middle School Pool and Facilities" pact, signed Nov. 30 by Town Manager Larry Shaffer and Superintendent Jere Hochman, calls for the town to pay the schools $22,000 for use of the pool between Dec. 1 and May 10.

"I appreciate the superintendent working hard with us on this issue and it is gratifying to have his support," Shaffer said.

The agreement concludes ongoing negotiations between the school and town that have delayed opening the pool for public use this fall. Traditionally, the pool is ready by the end of September. Last year, for instance, it opened Sept. 23.

The opening has been delayed because the school asked the town to pay for the full costs of operating it for town use. Hochman provided estimates that showed the town's Leisure Services and Supplemental Education department's use of the pool was $54,655 a year, even though LSSE only paid $30,000 for this use.

Shaffer said the agreement finally came about after a closer examination of the actual costs that should be assessed to the town.

If operating costs exceed or fall short of the $22,000 by 10 percent or more, the town will either be reimbursed for these costs or have to pay an additional sum.

The agreement outlines the responsibilities to the town and schools and the schedule for events for the public, and contains a number of provisions.

For instance, the school will do clean up of the pool during school days and maintain its mechanical and electrical systems, while the town will provide a state-certified pool operator and Leisure Services will do general clean up on weekends and school holidays.

A town aquatics coordinator will coordinate all nonschool uses of the pool, and at least two lifeguards will be on duty at all times.

The schools, which use the pool for both physical education coursework and the high school swim and dive teams, will be responsible for purchase of chemicals, and making sure the water temperature in the pool is set at 82 degrees and in the showers at 110 degrees.

As part of the deal, both sides have agreed to negotiate prior to March 31 to establish a long-term contract.

"All parties have an interest in entering into a successor agreement," Shaffer said. "We feel the March 31 date gives us time to achieve that."

With the pool having reopened Monday, LSSE has produced a schedule of events over the next two months that is available at its Web site, www.lsse.org.

Through Jan. 6, adult lap swims and senior swims will take place Mondays through Fridays from 7 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., while open swims will be held Mondays through Fridays from 6 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m.

Family memberships for the school year cost $230, individual adult memberships are $140 and senior memberships are $105. Daily admission is $4 for Amherst residents and $3 for seniors and youth.

In January, youth swimming lessons will resume Mondays through Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Cost for the twice weekly seasons is $65 if signed up by Jan. 2 .Private lessons, by appointment, cost $30 per session and $75 for three session.

Birthday parties can be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays at a cost of $130, for up to 20 children, ages 6 and older.