URGENT AND ACTION REQUIRED: LOSC Update on Re-Opening of Walnut Grove Pool and Schedule
January 7, 2021
Dear LOSC Families,
As mentioned in our email Monday December 28th, we have been allocated pool time and space at the Walnut Grove Pool starting Monday, January 11th, 2021. We are pleased to announce our CONFIRMED training schedule - find attached (subject to public health order and the situation allows) as we move our programs back to the Walnut Grove Pool. This would mean that we will be ceasing our operations out of the Aldergrove Pool (for most groups) once we have returned back to Walnut Grove.
In this email, we would like to address some topics which are important as we move back to the Walnut Grove Pool. Please read these carefully as they are going to impact the way that your child/ren swim and participate.
1. COVID Restrictions and Registration is First Come First Serve
As some of you may be aware, the Provincial Health Order on Gatherings and Events limit the maximum number of attendees to 50 people. As a result, this will be the maximum number that our club can operate at one time, coaches, swimmers, and two lifeguards, all inclusive. As a result, the group that you register your child in MAY be limited.
Swimmers who are currently registered in Mini O, OW, and SIC -- We will determine who will be allowed in each group by means of first come first serve by your email response to the office ([email protected]) of your preferred schedule.
Swimmers who are currently NOT registered -- Please register using our online registration system. Please indicate your desired schedule. Again, we will be determining our group number limit based on the time stamp that you have registered in. In addition, please email the office ([email protected]) your preferred schedule as well.
For both cases, please get back to us via email ([email protected]) ASAP to secure your spot.
2. Return to Sport Plan and COVID Safety Protocols
As a club, we value the importance of returning to our sport safely which we have done so since June 2020. We have a Return to Sport Plan that is consistent with the requirements of the Provincial Health Orders, Via Sport (Provincial Sporting Body), and Swim BC (Provincial Swimming Office). In the updated Return to Sport plan (as posted on the website), we specifically state the need for swimmers to adhere to COVID protocols like symptom screening, illness policy, 3 metres social distancing, mask wearing, and showering. The Township of Langley (TOL) has placed a blanket requirement for all users, regardless of age, of TOL facilities to wear a mask. Swimmers must have a mask to enter the facility. We appreciate your advance cooperation in this matter.
3. Entrance in the Pool and Dryland
The Walnut Grove Pool will be utilizing the emergency exit side doors (closest to the shallow end of the pool, by the north side parking lot) as entrance for our participants. The club will be allowed in the facility 5 mins prior to the start of the activity. We will be using the patio by the pool to do dryland and activation prior to swim practice. Please drop your child/ren off by this area and a coach will meet you there.
4. Lifeguarding Fees
Similar to the set-up of additional lifeguarding fees as done in the Aldergrove Pool, there will be an additional supplemental fee to cover lifeguard. This fee was added by the Township of Langley as part of the re-opening of aquatic facilities due to limited bather loads. This cost would be shared amongst the different groups that use the facility at a given time. The exact guard fees would be determined once we have finalized registration. As an example, when we operated out of Aldergrove Pool from September to December 2020, 2x per Week Olympic Way was charged an additional $15 per month and 2x per Week Stroke Improvement and Conditioning an additional $20 per month. We estimate and assume that these charges will remain similar.
If you would like to help alleviate these costs, we urge families to find a sponsor that who can help alleviate these costs or petition the TOL to have these costs eliminated.
5. WC Blair Pool
As of this moment, we are not resuming operations out of the WC Blair Pool. This is due to the limited numbers interested based on our survey back in early December. This season, it makes it even more difficult for our families due to the added guard costs. Should there be a substantial number interested swimming out in WC Blair, we will consider restarting operations there. Please email the office should you be interested in swimming out of WC Blair. We will keep a list of those who are interested in WC Blair Pool. We will keep a list of those who are interested in WC Blair Pool. Please indicate your contact information, the group that your child would like to swim in, ages, ability level, and preferred time slot.
6. Time Trials
In order to address the competitive aspect of the sport, we are looking at continuing to offer opportunities for swimmers to participate in time trials. We have done some of these on Saturdays from September to December 2020 at Aldergrove. This is a good way for swimmers to try new skills and improve their times from the previous time trials. We will attempt to do this in a practice setting. More information will follow for these.
To conclude, we hope that this information will help us successfully and safely transition back to the Walnut Grove Pool. We also hope that we have addressed some of the pressing questions that you may have. Should you have more questions, please feel free to email us and let us know.
As a reminder, once the Walnut Grove Programs resume in January 11th, 2021, we will be ceasing programs (except National Group Monday PM Practice) out of the Aldergrove Pool. Please ensure that your family has contacted the office with regards to the schedule that you are interested in. Should there be a delay in the re-opening of the Walnut Grove Pool, we will inform all families via email communication.
Disclaimer -- please understand that all of these plans are subject to the Provincial Health Order at the time of occurrence. These will change should the PHO relax or tighten. We will inform families of the ramifications should this be the case. Each group’s capacity and ability to run will be dependent on the number of participants that sign up. For Mini Olympians, Olympic Way, and Stroke Improvement and Conditioning groups, we will have a minimum number registered in order to run the group. Should there be any issues with the class that your child registers in, we will contact you.
Thank you and we look forward to having you back with us!
LOSC Staff
