There are many working components in a pool, and when any one of these factors is off, it can affect the overall safety of the pool. This might force the pool to close down, which will result in headaches for staff members and community members who wanted to spend a day at the pool.
Though you most likely have pool maintenance staff on-site, you never know what issues may arise. Some issues may come up that maintenance technicians can’t identify or resolve. In these cases, having as many aquatics facility operations resources as possible can heighten your chances of pinpointing the problem early on and solving it.
Recognize the benefits of networking
Regardless of whether you have maintenance specialists on-site who tend to the many needs of pool operations or if you work with outside services, networking is best practice. Pools can be tricky, and every facility runs into different problems.
A pool operator featured in Aquatics International magazine had one such problem when the pool water became cloudy and both of the local pool supply stores couldn’t pinpoint the problem. He phoned a pool operator that he’d met at a training session. After detailing the issue, he discovered that the other operator had experienced the same problem recently and knew the solution. Finding a quick resolution allowed him to adjust the water chemical levels and open for the day.
Here are two more reasons to consider increasing your networking.
1. Shared knowledge: Pools can be tricky, and sometimes even the experts can be baffled. Forming relationships with other pool operators increases the likelihood of speaking with someone who has experience with any issues that your pool may be facing. Additionally, if there’s time, operators can visit one another’s facilities and provide advice on how to optimize safety and efficiency.
2. Discuss best practices and products: There are many aspects of managing a pool, and there are always opportunities to optimize operations. Whether it’s figuring out whether a vacuum is a good investment or discussing how far ahead schedules should be made, being able to speak to other operators is a useful resource.
Additionally, if an operator decides to host a community-wide lifeguard competition to increase aquatic interest, planning the event will be much easier if managers already know each other.