Some Highlights about the Pool

As most of you know, the public hearing on December 4^th went extremely well.  We were complimented by the councilmembers who said we had ‘one of the most organized and prepared presentations they had seen’.  I guess that means we did a good job.  Thanks everyone!   The net result is that the RFP (request for proposal) contains almost all of the language we thought prudent.  During the contracting phase, we will have another shot to include anything that is still desired in the contract.  Some language for preference in rentals to Sunnyvale groups is the one missing (major) item we currently know about.
 

The locker room upgrade and drain repair process has begun.  You will notice a number of times when the regular locker rooms are not available to us.  We will be allowed to use the high school locker rooms in some instances and in some instances, I am sure, the pool will be closed.  CSC will inform you about schedules, just as soon as they know, if you give them your email address.  Folks – this is a needed fix, so I ask your patience and support.  It is being done for our benefit so please be gracious to the high school, the city workers, CSC and the contractors.  We want it fixed!!

Finally, due to a fair and open civic engagement, the process allowed an issue to bubble to the top – the use of the pool in the long course directions.  Already some folks are enjoying swimming the full 50 meters, as CSC has responded by quickly scheduling some long course times.  Their alacrity is a benefit to the swimmers and deserves a bit of thanks.

So, as we close the year to take a bit of a break to celebrate the holidays, let’s approach the positive changes which are occurring with a sense of gratitude.  Thank someone who works at or on the pool as we enter the New Year!  It will make us better!

Merry Christmas!  

Holly

Public Participation in Request for Proposal Process

The public is invited to participate in the Request for Proposal Process.  The City of Sunnyvale will be requesting proposals to operate the Fremont Pool after the current contract with California Sports Center expires next summer.   

Two public hearings will be held and members of the public may provide input.  

Discussion and Possible Action on Request for Proposals for a License to Operate Public Swim Programs at Fremont High School Pool
Parks & Recreation Commission Review and Public Hearing on Draft Report for Commission Review	Wednesday, November 14, 2012 7 p.m., Sunnyvale Community Center Conference Room, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Sunnyvale City Council Review and Public Hearing on Final Report to Council	Tuesday, December 4, 2012 7 p.m. City Hall, Council Chambers 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, 94086

The Request for Proposal outlines the criteria required and desired for the next pool vendor, either California Sports Center again or another vendor.   Please plan to review the RFP document and bring your input to both meetings to have a voice in the process to decide HOW a pool vendor is chosen.

This is an opportunity for participation in our own government.

See you at the pool!

Holly

Commemoration in Review

Ten years of the Fremont Pool’s joint operation between the Fremont Union High School District and the City of Sunnyvale was commemorated at both City Hall and at the Fremont Union High School District office on September 18^th.  In case you missed it here are some highlights and photos:

·      *    The pool was fully opened in in July 2002 following a grand opening on June 26, 2002,

·        *  This past summer, a spirited adult alumni water polo match marked the anniversary,

·        *  The pool now has programs in lap swimming, masters swimming, water exercise classes, both youth and adult water polo programs, both youth and adult lessons, recreational and diving team, a triathlete workout, swim teams, open swim, summer camps, misc. rentals, events, as well as the high school programs which include high school swim teams, high school water polo teams, special needs classes, and PE classes,

·         Ricky Silva (CSC) began working in May 2002 and has worked a majority of the 10 years as the manager of the pool,

·      *    The participant hours for public programs has grown from 56,000 to over 171,000 hours from 2003 to 2011. This means that currently an average of 475 people visit the pool each day, not including rentals or high school use!  (CSC statistic),

·        *  Over the past 10 years, over 100 FUHSD students have been employed at the pool. (CSC statistic),

·        * The facility is used by all abilities, age groups and ethnic groups, from elite athletes to those learning to swim and from toddlers to youths to high school kids to adults and mature adults. Multiple languages are spoken at the pool.

·       *   Students who swam and trained at Fremont Pool and went on to swim for college teams.  Colleges includes:  Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, Fresno Pacific, Redlands, University of Arizona, Brown, ASU, & Foothill and De Anza Colleges.

A commemorative certificate was presented to both the President of the Board of the high school district and the Mayor of Sunnyvale.  They read: 

President of the Board of Trustees and Members of the Board of the Fremont Union High School District - In commemoration of 10 years of operations at the City of Sunnyvale Joint-use 50-meter Swimming Pool, (Fremont Pool), Sunnyvale swim patrons recognize aquatic facilities provided by the Fremont Union High School District and hold this partnership in high regard and look forward to its continuance

Honorable Mayor of Sunnyvale and Members of the Sunnyvale City Council - In commemoration of 10 years of operations at the City of Sunnyvale Joint-use 50-meter Swimming Pool, (Fremont Pool), Sunnyvale swim patrons recognize aquatic services provided through the City of Sunnyvale and hold this partnership in high regard and look forward to its continuance

Many thanks to the swimmers who came out and witnessed the occasion!

Survey Update

There is more news regarding Fremont Pool surveys.  The survey that CSC has put out is a normal, customer satisfaction survey.  It does not pertain to the city’s RFP process.  The City of Sunnyvale will not have a survey for the FRP process; they will have a public input meeting on Thursday at 6:30PM at the Community Center.  The flyer is linked.  The flyer provides a channel for making comments in writing - you may email Nancy Grove at ngrove@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us  -if you wish to make comments in lieu of attending the meeting this Thursday, (9/13).  Thanks!  Holly  Link to City of Sunnyvale flyer

Community Outreach Meeting

Dear Fellow Pool Users,

I have another new blog – Nancy Grove at the City of Sunnyvale asked me to announce the following:

“The City of Sunnyvale will be hosting a meeting to solicit feedback and comments from the community about pool operations and swim programs at Fremont High School Swim Pool.  The current license agreement for pool operations will be ending within the year, and the City will be gathering feedback on operations to assist with seeking a new license agreement.”

City staff are distributing surveys to collect feedback and are holding one community meeting to solicit input prior to issuing the RFP (request for proposals).  This is a community member’s best opportunity to influence the choices that are made at the pool.  In my experience, filling out surveys is helpful, but attending a community meeting is much more helpful to attaining a desirable outcome.

Community Outreach Meeting, Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 E Remington Dr Sunnyvale, CA  94087 Thursday, Sept 13^th from 6:30-7:30PM

Thanks for coming out!

Keep swimming!

Holly

10 Year Commemoration

Dear Fellow Pool Users,

I have a new blog – the community will be celebrating 10 years of the operation of the joint-use 50-meter pool known as the Fremont Pool!   Participate in recognition of this milestone by joining myself, CSC personnel, Fremont High personnel and the pool users on Tuesday, Sept 18^th.  A brief 10-minute recognition will take place at both the Fremont Union High School District board room at 6:15PM followed by a similar ceremony at City Hall at 7:00PM.  We hope you can spare this hour to let our leaders know that we appreciate this beautiful swimming pool and the 10 years of aquatic services we have received.

Fremont Union High School District office, Sept 18th, 6:15PM - 589 W. Fremont Ave.
City Hall, Sept 18th, 7:00PM - 456 W. Olive Ave.

Thanks for coming out!

Keep swimming!

Holly