roofs and door jambs for vandalism or freeze damage. Itemize paint require-ments. Inspect floors for potential slippery surfaces and sharp edges or ob-jects. Verify that drain grating is securely in place. Inspect the freshwaterplumbing system, including the hot water heater, mixing valves, traps and fix-tures for any breaks or required maintenance. Inspect the electrical panel andverify that connections are secure and protective covers are in place.

Other areas that require inspection and verification include starting blocks,office and janitorial supplies, chemicals, test kits, administrative forms, keysand tool boxes.Once all inspections are completed, it’s time to prepare the pool for use. An

aquatic facility’s winter environment greatly affects the amount of preparationand the types of tasks required. Throughout the winter months, pools without cov-ers are a catch-all for leaves, dirt and animals. The pool surfaces have also beenattacked by winter elements and must now be restored to operating condition.Weather can play havoc with the best-laid plans. It’s best to start early, be

flexible (have a good and bad weather list) and be organized. Nothing is aswasteful as having five employees ready to acid wash, and no one knowswhere the gas is for the trash pump. For each scheduled job, make a list oftools and supplies needed and verify they are on-site before the job is sched-

Planning for a Successful Operation: Part 2Preseason ReadinessB Y K E V I N P O S T

pring is the time most pool operators really begin to stress. After thelaborious planning efforts conducted during the winter months, now isthe time the rubber meets the road. How will I get enough staff? Will

the equipment I need be backordered? Operators have a lot to do beforeopening, often with little to no outside support. But, thanks to proper plan-ning, these duties will be completed as efficiently as possible.March, the month to begin implementing the marketing plan, is also the

time to begin preseason preparation, which in general involves three areas:inspection, pool preparation and ordering supplies.The first step is to inspect facility components and identify what tasks need

to be accomplished before opening day. Special consideration should begiven to winter or vandalism damage. Items to inspect include:

• Pool shell: Is there evidence of frost heave or freeze damage? Areas tocheck closely include gutters, coping, walls, expansion joints, light niches,inlets and the main drain. Visible signs of damage include spalling, crackingor a change in elevation.

• Pool deck: Have the concrete slabs shifted, exposing edges that areeasy to trip on? Have cracks or areas that will hold water and dirt developed,resulting in a hazardous surface?

• Deck equipment: Is deck equipment clean and in working order? Iden-tify items that need to be repaired or discarded.

• Diving boards, slides and features: Inspect the platform/stands forstructural integrity. Any mounting bolts should be tightened and checked forintegrity and corrosion. If the stand is metal, it may be appropriate to paintit to protect it from the corrosive properties of pool water. The area just infront of the fulcrum is susceptible to hairline fractures and the mountingbrackets need to be inspected.

• Safety equipment: Is required safety equipment—safety ropes, ringbuoys, backboards, rescue tubes, first-aid kits and perimeter fencing—ingood working order?

• Recirculation system: Inspect the motor and pump for any damage.Does the impeller spin freely? Are the gaskets, valves and gauges in workingorder? Is there any evidence of a pipe break (water dripping or a visible frac-ture)? Are all the freeze plugs still in place, or have some been removed wherewater could get in the lines? Inspect the filter tanks for integrity. Are the sup-ports corroded? Are there any rust spots or pinholes in the system?

• Support areas: Check bathhouse walls, ceilings, windows, skylights,

Guest ColumnA Q U A T I C S

PHOTOS COURTESY OF COUNSILMAN-HUNSAKERS

10 MAY 2017 RECREATION MANAGEMENT WWW.RECMANAGEMENT.COM

BRINNG CCOMMMUUNITIIES TTOGETHEERWorld leader in aquatic play solutions with over 6,500 installations worldwide1.866.586.7839 (USA/CA) | info@vortex-intl.comVORTEX-INTL.COM

KROC CENTER CHICAGO | CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Table 1: Pool Preparation Punch List1. Remove pool cover – clean and store.2. Remove winterizing plugs from skimmers and inlets.3. Verify ground water table to prevent hydrostatic damage.4. Empty pool.5. Clean debris from bottom of pool.6. Clean pool surface with muriatic acid solution and/or detergent.7. Rinse down pool surface.8. Sandblast, acid wash, repaint, replaster and patch to prepare pool surface

as needed.9. Paint depth markings, lane lines and warning marks.10.Replace drain grates, skimmer baskets and inlets.11.Reassemble recirculation system, including pumps, pipes, meters and filters.12.Reassemble chlorinators, controllers, chemical feed pumps and underwater

lights.13. Fill pool, but if pool paint or coatings have been used, see manufacturer’s

recommendations for curing times.14. Start recirculation system five days before opening.15.Balance water and adjust sanitizers to appropriate levels.16. Install ladders, rails, slides and diving boards.

uled to begin. Table 1 provides apartial punch list of items to becompleted before opening a pool.The third component of presea-

son preparation is ordering sup-plies. A sample ordering scheduleof necessary supplies can be foundin Table 2.It’s difficult to step back from the

day-to-day demands of operating apool during the summer to thinkabout next year. There are many is-sues that are easily addressed dur-ing the summer season and almostimpossible during the off-season.For example, determine if youhave all the pictures you need fornext year’s marketing material; ex-amine what high-maintenanceareas could be improved upon;what landscaping would improvethe surroundings and what space isnot being utilized to its fullest; de-termine what new features guestsmight find exciting and enjoyable;and decide how duties could bestructured to hold down labor expenses.It’s also important to conduct a

post-season inspection of the phys-ical plant and operating results toidentify areas that need attention.Review and reinspect the presea-son checklist to prepare for thecoming year. In addition, inspectfilters, furniture, equipment and in-ventory supplies. Make a list of re-quired repairs and purchases.Compile administrative reports,such as those on chemical con-sumption, and look for trends thatmay require attention. Make a wishlist of needed maintenance repairs,new features and renovations. Pri-oritize and develop a plan to ac-complish this list before thecoming year.As a business, outdoor pool fa-

cilities are in the unusual positionof starting over every year.Through detailed planning, youcan pass information and experi-ence from one season to the nextwhile continually improving uponit. Winter is the time when we onlywork six days a week preparingand planning for the 100 days ofsummer.

RECREATION MANAGEMENT 11

Kevin Post is a project manager for Counsilman-Hunsaker, focusingon feasibility studies and operational assistance. Post's aquatic expe-rience includes pool management, feasibility study analysis, facilityaudit coordination, launch operations training and CPO training. Thisbroad base of experience has allowed Post to offer his knowledge tocommunities interested in planning new aquatic facilities across theUnited States.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS STORY, VISIT WWW.RECMANAGEMENT.COM

Table 2: Ordering SuppliesOrder Delivery ItemsDecember May Deck FurnitureMarch April Paint and paint suppliesApril May Utilities (electric, gas, water, phone, trash

pick-up)April May Janitorial supplies, Maintenance supplies

Pool chemicalsMay May Office suppliesTwo weeks One weekbefore opening before opening Snack Bar supplies

www.recreonics.com Phone: 800-428-3254

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