“Sorry honey, I missed our anniversary.” How many times have you heard or mumbled those infamous words? Hopefully neither, but as we waited patiently in the lobby staring out our front windows in neatly pressed clothes with freshly starched collars, you can imagine how we felt June 26 when our one-year anniversary quietly came and went like a thief in the night. Actually, I was trying to milk out a bit of guilt, but isn’t it amazing how fast our first year came and went since the grand opening on a similarly hot summer day?
It was only fitting that the first swim meet ended up on the same weekend as we opened a year previous. The Creston Wave Swim Club (www.crestonwave.ca) was host to five other clubs from the area with over 150 registered competitors, and the new pool was a very busy place. The obvious difference from the multitudes of meets held here over the years is the fact that this is the first of many to be held in an indoor facility in Creston.
Operationally, we were looking at how the meet functioned in relation to safety, access and cleanliness issues as we have a lot less deck space than the outdoor facility as well as a mechanical ventilation system that keeps the pool hall space at a negative air pressure. The system ensures that air is being drawn into the aquatic area rather than pushing moist air into the rest of the building and it is quite sensitive to temperature, humidity and pressure.
At the time of writing, we have not met with the swim club officials to exchange ideas and info on what worked and what didn’t, but the majority of reports feeding back are very positive and a lot of visitors left the valley duly impressed with what we have here. As with any event that ends up here, it is great to see the throngs of people cheering on the competitors or out on the field in the team tents — just a general mass of positive people utilizing your community complex.
One thing about a swim meet that differs from my experience of herding kids through various sports like baseball or soccer is that a swim meet requires in incredible amount of volunteers to act as officials, judges, runners, referees, timekeepers — you name it, it has someone watching it. I have to tip my hat to those people that do this circuit in the summer and dedicate the manpower to make the events happen.
Don’t forget to check your leisure guide for changes to the swimming schedule beginning July — you did keep it, didn’t you? We told you to stick it on your fridge, remember? Anyway, we might have some printed schedules up here also so feel free to grab one next time you are coming up for a dip or a workout — we have made a few adjustments because of summer and don’t want anyone getting cranky.
Hey, for those that need that hockey fix, we are starting underwater hockey this week — an exciting, addictive and national sport, so come and check it out. I have my skates covered in Vaseline as we speak for rust proofing (although staff are looking at me strangely) but, anyway, it promises to be a riot. Too soon? Equally exciting, even without horses, water polo also starts this week and will leave you fit and fulfilled over summer.
Neil Ostafichuk is the recreation supervisor at the Creston and District Community Complex.