A message from our family to yours
American Pool is closely monitoring developments around the coronavirus (COVID-19) as they unfold. We want to keep you updated on what we are doing to support you and your community under these conditions.
Our service to clients continues within parameters set by local and federal governments as essential for safety, sanitation, and operation of swimming pools in communities and residences. This means we are providing ongoing maintenance and preparations for the summer pool season in compliance with social distancing measures. For the facilities where we provide seasonal staff, our lifeguard recruiting and training programs have been modified to allow for interviews and portions of their training to be completed online.
We have the utmost care and concern for the safety of you, your residents and guests, and our employees. That’s why we would like to take this opportunity to share with you the steps we’re taking for the foreseeable future.
- The CDC supports that good pool sanitation prevents disease spread and that there is no evidence COVID-19 can be spread through well-maintained pools or hot tubs.
- All of our employees have been counseled on the latest health and safety protocols for preventing the spread of coronavirus, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- We are working with our suppliers to secure the products and chemicals needed to ensure your pool remains safe and open for the upcoming 2020 season.
- For those clients where we provide seasonal staff, we’ve modified our training programs to deliver classroom portions through live online sessions. In-person practical training for lifeguards will resume as soon as such work is permissible. We will continue using standard precautions for safe and sanitized training procedures issued by the American Red Cross. While we are moving forward with lifeguard recruitment and training in new ways, these key components may be delayed by the outbreak.
We continue to have the utmost care and concern for the safety of you, your residents, and our employees. We value the trust you have placed in us to support your community this season. Please feel free to reach out with any questions that you may have.
With appreciation,
American Pool
American Pool Client Solutions for Swimming Pool Reservations
Now that most states have provided guidance for safer pool operations during COVID-19, facilities across the country are making plans to open their gates this summer. Most pools will be operating at reduced capacity to support social distance this season and one of the best ways to manage attendance is through reservations. Unless your facility is associated with a hotel or country club, reservation systems are most likely a new consideration.
We understand that American Pool clients look to us for solutions to their swimming pool challenges. Our aim is to provide a high-quality pool reservation solution that can scale quickly and solve the capacity issue for as many clients as possible. To that end, American Pool has created an amenity reservation app to bring our clients exceptional value and ease of use through our reservation system.
As an American Pool client, your community will experience the following advantages when you use our pool reservation solution!
- Preferred pricing with onboarding and setup assistance for your property at no additional charge
- Additional features like easy checkin, sign up for classes, and other amenity spaces
Our Client Plan for Operations During COVID-19
Over the weekend, American Pool launched its client plan for swimming pool operations during COVID-19 to customers. While local authorities will provide ultimate direction on additional precautions required and when opening for use will be permitted, our experts are using the information available today to prepare for that event.
On May 9, the CDC produced considerations for Public Pools, Hot Tubs, and Water Playgrounds During COVID-19. Information from this document as well as other industry papers have provided enough guidance for American Pool to prepare an initial plan for opening swimming pools for bathers this season. This foundational plan will allow us to respond more quickly to our clients once local health authorities provide more specific requirements for opening.
CDC Considerations for Public Pools
As public aquatic venues open in some areas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers considerations for the safety of those who operate, manage, and use public pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds during COVID-19. All decisions about implementing these considerations should be made locally, in collaboration with local health officials. Read the official CDC considerations for strategies on how to encourage healthy hygiene, maintain healthy environments and operations, and how to prepare for when someone gets sick.
Our Modified Approach to the Summer Pool Season
We know that you have been working hard to lead your community and staff through these challenging times. May is fast approaching and we thought it was important to update you on what American Pool has been doing so far this spring. We understand the importance of communication, especially during these unusual times.
Our lifeguard recruiters continue to connect with applicants and are performing face-to-face virtual interviews every day. We’ve developed a hybrid training program so that our applicants can begin training with in-house instructors via video conference without delay. The hands-on aspects of the course will be completed as soon as permissible. Further, we have a healthy percentage of returning guards who won’t require re-certification this year and we have secured American Red Cross certification extensions for many more.
In keeping with the required social distancing protocols, we are continuing repairs and preparations for the upcoming season. In terms of mechanical operations, we have developed our 5 phase approach to navigating the pool season. We continue to monitor developments and maintain close contact with area health departments and industry groups to share the latest information. Please take a moment to review the description of each phase below.
- Phase 1 – PREPARATION: Normal pool preparations, repairs, etc.
- Phase 2 – MAINTENANCE: Sanitation and filtration to keep water clear and surfaces free of gross debris. The pool can remain in this phase as long as necessary to protect the facility and public health.
- Phase 3 – APPROVAL FOR USE: Health authority provides guidance on the open for use date and additional provisions and American Pool completes health inspections, other required inspections, lifeguard orientations, etc.
- Phase 4 – OPEN FOR USE: Requirements satisfied and the pool is in use.
- Phase 5 – WINTERIZATION: Normal winterization of the pool.
While we are all in uncharted waters together, please know that American Pool is working hard and applying resources to find the best path for our clients and associates. We look forward to continuing our work with you and appreciate the confidence you have placed in us this season.
Maintenance Update
We may not know what the coming days and weeks will bring, but we do know that your swimming pool must be tended to regardless of usage this season for the following reasons:
- Maintaining water clarity is a critical layer in preventing accidental drowning.
- Untreated, stagnant water allows for the development of harmful pathogens, mosquitoes, and other insect activity that can cause other diseases.
- Swimming pools that are left dormant sustain damage simply through lack of operation.
- A well-maintained pool will allow the smoothest opening once the COVID-19 issue has subsided.
While the news is changing every day, we promise to update you as new information becomes available. As always, we’re dedicated to providing your facility and patrons with the quality and care that you expect us to deliver. Our commitment is to move forward, making sure your facilities are ready and operational as soon as possible. As such, we plan to proceed with the preseason activities preparing your facility for the 2020 swim season. This will allow us to open your pool with as little disruption as possible.
Maintenance of the pool needs to occur regardless and independent of pool usage. Failure to maintain the pool will result in damage to the facility
If you have questions, please contact us.