| Pool was Summer Time Hub for Everyone | | | | YMCA to keep open. |
| All we have is our pool said the manager of a | | | | Unexpected Income |
| Tennessee YMCA. During the hot Volunteer days and | | | | The surprise benefit was having income arrive from a |
| nights the pool was alive with activity. There were lots | | | | new source, the covered concrete deck area became |
| of mothers with children, teenagers gathering even | | | | instant source of income for the YMCA. There were |
| seniors wanting to sooth some aching muscles with | | | | not a lot of places that could take care of a big |
| pool therapy. Some families even met at the pool after | | | | gathering of people in the area. Immediately there was |
| work to swim and play together as a family. | | | | a waiting list to have parties, receptions in the |
| All our Eggs in One Basket | | | | enclosure. A big source of income that helped offset |
| Everyone loved the pool during the summer, but when | | | | enclosure costs. Private swim clubs as well were |
| the chilly autumn winds would blow and the days | | | | willing to lease the pool for their practices during the |
| shorter, the YMCA became almost deserted. That | | | | winter. |
| was the problem said the manager, When the pool | | | | Everyone Benefits |
| shuts down, everything stops. All the other programs | | | | Now the pool and all the secondary programs are |
| suffered, from daycare to exercise/therapy programs. | | | | flourishing. Senior programs, daycare, have strong |
| The pool had been the foundation in which all other | | | | membership numbers. The school and private club |
| programs came. They had to do something, or close | | | | teams have a place to practice. The Y has gained |
| everything. | | | | income from not only stronger programs but leasing |
| Help from the Swim Teams | | | | the facility. |
| Two local high schools desperately needed a place to | | | | Now the YMCA is not just a swimming pool but a |
| practice during the winter. A couple other private swim | | | | place to gather for the whole community. Consider this |
| clubs needed practice areas as well. The high school | | | | innovative way to keep your budgets in these tough |
| swim teams helped the YMCA fund using an air | | | | economic times. It is time to see whether your |
| supported enclosure to keep pool open all year round. | | | | seasonal swimming pool can help your community by |
| Now they had a place to practice as well as allow the | | | | being open year round. |