for your reading pleasure ...

i've bitched and moaned many times on my blog about the pool at the Y. this morning was the icing on the cake for me. what a great way to start the new year, huh?  i'd like to share my email correspondences over the last year with you to see what you think because frankly, i think i'm just getting the same old run-a-round over and over again. enjoy!

Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 7:56 AM
Subject: Pool question

Good morning Mr. So and So,

I wasn't sure if you would be the person to send this to and if you aren't, would you please forward it to the right contact person?

As a full-time employee and a triathlete, scheduling all of the necessary training can be daunting. I understand that mother nature has her moments and this does affect opening the pool sometimes, especially with the colder temperatures as of late. Is there anyway that the New Tampa Y, having a facebook page and a twitter account, could update if the pool will not be opening on time in the mornings? This has happened the last 2 mornings to me. My schedule is such that I have it timed out in order to get my swim in and be able to get to work on time. If the pool doesn't open at 6am, as scheduled, I have to turn around and go back home. This past Tuesday, with the rain, I completely understood not opening on time because it was coming down too hard and would limit the lifeguards' sight of the swimmers. However, this morning, the covers on the pool were all still on at 6am as I drove into the parking lot. I was told, that due to the wind, the covers were tangled and that it would be at least another 30 minutes before they could get all of the covers off. This is the second time that has happened with the wind and the covers. I'm not upset about that but more so that I'm wasting time driving to the Y and not being able to swim. If I knew in advance (I check twitter and facebook every morning when I get up), that would be great and I could plan accordingly.

One more thought. I'm no expert on pool covers, but if the forecast calls for high wind (as it has for the last 2 days), isn't there a way to secure the covers so that they don't get blown all over the place and get tangled. Or, maybe start removing the covers a little ahead of schedule so that the pool can open at 6am for those of us on a tight schedule?

I appreciate your help.

Sincerely,
Kristie Concepcion

Subject: RE: Pool question
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 08:04:28 -0500

Kristie,

Thank you for this feedback and I completely understand.  Let me talk with MS. ABC (aquatics director) today and see what is the best way to communicate closings…facebook, email list or something.  We will also find the best solution to the covers and wind issue.

Thank you again for bringing this to my attention.

 Mr. So and So

Sent: Friday, June 04, 2010 8:51 AM
Subject: Pool hours

Good morning Mr. So and So,

I have been a member at the Y since late December 2009 and at that time, I made a commitment for a full year and paid in full. My only reason for joining was to use the pool. The hours advertised for the pool was exactly what I was looking for and I knew that the pool was one of the best kept in the area.  In retrospect, had I known the pool frequently doesn't open on time, I probably would have joined another facility.

I have only formally voiced my concerns to you via email once, though there have been many other occasions when I should have.  I've lost count how many times I have wasted a morning driving to and from the Y, to find the covers still on the pool or no lifeguards on site, much like this morning. Where is the accountability?

This morning there were about 8-10 members waiting around. Some of these folks appear to be retirees and may have the free time to wait around, but I don't, and as paying members, we shouldn't have to. I live by a very tight schedule and plan my day based around being able to get in the pool by no later than 6:15am. Not only is it frustrating, but it's a waste of time and gas. As a member, I should not be the one to have to rearrange my schedule, which is no easy task. But increasingly, I find myself having to do this and I don't think it's fair. As previously stated in my March, 2010 e-mail to you, I understand that no one has control over the weather and I'm not referring to such uncontrollable events.  However when "the lifeguards must have slept in" as I was told by the front desk attendant a few months ago, I do take exception.  If I am unable to use the facilities as you advertise them and which I paid for, I feel I should be compensated.  

I'm requesting an extension of my membership by at least 1 month to compensate for the many mornings I have waited for your staff to show.  Additionally, I would like to hear from you regarding my concerns and how you will remedy this problem.

Respectfully, 

Kristie Concepcion

Subject: RE: Pool hours
Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2010 09:03:28 -0400

Kristie,

I do extremely apologize for this morning and I do not want to make excuses because that does not solve the issue.  We have addressed this morning staffing issue and ensure it will not happen again.  Although this morning in not a good indication, I do think some of these issues are being corrected and staff held accountable with our new aquatics director who started in May. I have no problem extending your membership by a month and do appreciate your patience. Thank you for your feedback and sharing,

Sincerely,

So and So

Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2011 7:21 AM
Subject: RE: Pool hours

Good morning So and So,

I can't believe I'm emailing you already but guess what? I was there at 5:55am (no lifeguards around yet) to start my swim at 6 and all of the pool covers were still on. Assuming that the lifeguards would have started rolling the covers off by 6, chances are I wouldn't have been able to start swimming until about 6:30am. I don't even know what to say anymore. I work full-time and I have a tight schedule and once again, I am having to rearrange my entire day to fit the pool in since I didn't get to do it this morning.

Thank you for your time,

Kristie

Response back from this morning’s email:

Kristie,

I will immediately address discuss this with the lifeguards and supervisors and get this corrected.  I appreciate you bringing this to my attention and I appreciate your patience.  I truly understand the problems this is causing you.  Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

Mr. So and So

******************** 

Why do I feel like I keep getting the same response back but nothing ever changes or gets fixed? Doesn’t matter. That’s the beauty of competition. So here I come L.A. Fitness. No lifeguards needed, no pool covers needed, $20 less per month, open an hour earlier and close an hour later. I think I know the answer now ... 

much love and peace out!