Important/Read- December Practice Updates/Change
Good evening,
I hope all of you are doing well and looking forward to a great Thanksgiving week. The Aquatic Center is plugging along, and we are excited to show you the mini face-lift we are doing over the next 2 months to the lobby and locker rooms, a bit of new paint and signage. I am hard at work, and I am already getting ready for our impending PHASE 2 construction period. It will begin sometime between March 1 and April 1, 2026, and I will keep you posted as we move through the process.
As I look forward to 2026, I am becoming increasingly aware of the toll that it will take on coaching staff negotiating the new schedules, the travel and coordination needs. They were champs in the first phase of construction and will need to have the same determination and follow though to make it through 2026. After some reflection, I am making the decision to honor their physical, mental and emotional health by giving them a much-needed break now, before our PHASE 2 construction begins. As such, BAM coached practices will be on hiatus for the month of December.
If you have been on the team for a while, then you know that this is not common or something we ask for lightly. The BAM community has been absolutely wonderful and supportive of the coaches and the Aquatic Center, and we are hoping you understand our investment into our coaches’ personal lives so they can front load a large amount of time with their families before construction starts. We are aware that not swimming for an entire month is not acceptable for most of you. We have two options for BAM members to choose from for the month of December:
Option 1:
For those that wish to continue to swim, we have reserved and made available all your normal practice times, days and spaces for BAM members only from Dec. 1- Dec. 20. The weekly sign-up genius for practice will continue to go out so that we can monitor practice maximums, although there will be no lane assignments. You may continue to swim at your normal times/days with fellow Master’s friends as long as you sign up. In addition, Coach April will still be writing suggested daily workouts for the month of December that she will email at the beginning of every week, and the Head Lifeguard staff on duty will transcribe them to a dry erase board by the pool. December billing will continue as normal but will be reduced by 30% of the normal fee. This will entitle you to come to swim as much as you do now according to the payment bracket you are in (once a week / two times a week / or three-unlimited).
From Dec. 22-Dec. 31 there are no scheduled practices due to the holidays. Similarly, you may attend normal lap swim during that period as active BAM Members. No workouts will be provided. Please make sure to look at the facility google calendar as we have many schedule changes in the holiday period. Normal practices and sign-ups will resume Friday, Jan. 2.
Option 2:
Take the month off. If you would prefer to take a break yourself, that is perfectly fine. The deadline to let us know to stop billing for the month of December is Tuesday, Nov. 25th at midnight. No change of billing form is necessary. Simply reply to this email with your intentions to take a break and copy coach April ([email protected]). We will reply with confirmation of receipt. Normal billing and practice sign-ups will begin automatically again on Jan. 2. Please be aware that if you choose this option that any visits to the Aquatic Center in the month of December will be the normal daily pass fee.
Communication – From Dec. 1 to Dec. 22, Coach April will only be working a couple hours, one day per week from home. From Dec. 23- Jan. 4, she will not be available. You can continue to reach out to her by email but do not expect a quick response. Coach Tamara will continue to monitor the [email protected] email and will also continue to coordinate the weekly Wednesday emails. Any urgent need can be sent to me, which I will try to facilitate for you to the best of my ability.
BAM Holiday Party – OF COURSE WE ARE STILL HAVING THE HOLIDAY PARTY! Saturday, Dec. 13. All coaches will be in attendance, and you should follow up with any communication that the BAM Booster Board sends out regarding that event.
Thank you for your kind consideration of this information, I appreciate you all. I am available to chat if anyone has any questions or concerns. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Jenette Reneau- Aquatic Administrator
