Seeking our Members Help and Advocacy for Bartlett Pool and Alaska Swimming
Dear Chinooks,
We need your help to advocate for the Bartlett Pool and Alaska Swimming!!
You may or may not be aware of the recent installation of new diving boards at the Bartlett Pool, but we are sorry to say that the final install has created a number of major problems. While we are fully behind the idea of new and improved boards for Alaska divers, the new installation has substantially altered the deck space of one of the most important pools in the state, and will have a negative impact on not only current and future swimmers, but for the Alaska Swimming community as a whole. We’ve just spoken with officials from USA Swimming and there is concern that the current installation of the high diving boards would impact the ability for Bartlett Pool to host swim meets at all.
Why are these new high boards such a problem? You can see our full writeup including pictures (HERE), You can also view short videos that highlight the concerns at our instagram feed located HERE.
The following is a summary of our top concerns:
- Safety: The new layout is not only an obvious issue for egress and emergency access (as you can see from the photos linked above), but is an issue for swimmers, coaches, timers, and officials simply trying to navigate around the diving board frames. We’ve walked around behind the blocks and noticed it isn’t difficult to hit your head, shoulder, or elbow while passing through—not to mention the potential issues at a crowded meet.
- Athletic Performance & Fairness: The current layout of the diving frames impedes the ability for swimmers to easily get on the blocks of lanes 4 and 5, as well as their ability to do a proper relay start as swimmers would hit their arms on the board frames.
- Process: It’s normal to expect that an installation like this would include a process that involved different stakeholders from the community (like our team). The swimming communicty was not offered an opportunity to consult until the planning was complete and the contractors were on site. This opportunity was offered only after we immediately raised concerns and objections.
At present, USA Swimming Officials and the Risk Management Department have concerns about the safety and equity of competitions held at Bartlett under the current circumstances. Without their approval, meets cannot be held at Bartlett Pool.
Chugiak Aquatics Club supports the diving community and its goal to grow the sport in Alaska. However, it is not reasonable to expect that diving be promoted at the expense of Alaska’s swimmers. The Bartlett pool is the only 50-meter pool in the state, and is one of the most important competitive facilities for Alaska Swimming. The Bartlett Pool hosts most of the major competitions including 15 meets a year with between 200 and 400 competitive swimmers lining up behind the blocks. Please urge the your assembly members, officials from Anchorage Parks and Recreation, and the Mayor’s office to uninstall the current high diving boards and find a solution that works for both divers and swimmers.
Feel free to write your own email, or borrow from the script below and make it your own. Please keep your message courteous while you convey your concern—we have no ill will towards any of the officials involved, and we want to see the diving community succeed!
If you would like to see the installation prior to weighing in please feel free to come by Bartlett during any of our practice hours and we will give you a tour.
SCRIPT:
For your consideration,
Or
Dear __OFFICIAL’S NAME___,
As a members of the Alaska Swimming community, I'm writing to urge you to uninstall and redesign the recently installed high diving boards at the Bartlett Pool. The new installation raises a number of concerns, including:
- The safety of swimmers, officials, and volunteers
- The impact to athletic performance and fairness
- The ability for Bartlett Pool to host sanctioned swim meets
Bartlett Pool is the only 50-meter pool in the state, and is one of the most important swimming facilities in Alaska. I am disappointed that the swimming community wasn’t consulted or involved in this very important process. Alaska Swimming is supportive of the diving community, and we’d like to see it grow as a sport. That’s why I'm urging you to uninstall the current high diving boards and find a solution that works for both divers and swimmers.
Thank you for your time,
___YOUR NAME___
Contacts:
James Reeves
Aquatics Superintendent
CRP Parks & Recreation Department
Shanna Gamble
Principle Admin Officer
CRP Parks & Recreation Department
Michael Braniff
Director Parks & Rec. Services
CRP Parks & Recreation Department
Contact Form for the Mayor’s Office
Mayor Suzanne LaFrance
https://www.muni.org/Departments/Mayor/Pages/ContactTheMayor.aspx
Anchorage Assembly
It is often helpful to directly contact the assembly member who represents you. You can find this information at the following link: https://www.muni.org/Departments/Assembly/Pages/About%20Us%20-%20Member%20Profiles.aspx
State Legislature
The diving board installation was a legislative grant given to the Municipality. Please feel free to reach out to your representative about this issue. You can learn who represents you and how to contact them at the following link: https://akleg.gov/index.php
We want to thank all of you for your involvement and support. CAC is made up of a wonderful group of parents, athletes, and volunteers, and it is great to see how much you care about our swimmers and about the larger Alaska Swimming community.
Thank you for your time,
Coach Anne, Coach Pat, and the Chugiak Aquatics Club board and staff
