GVR considers extending pool hours for kids

Green Valley Recreation is considering extending summer pool hours for children at the West Center and designating it a “family pool,” but the plan already has drawn fire.

Children can swim at all 13 of GVR’s rec center pools in the summer from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with a special three-hour block — 1 to 4 p.m. — at the West Center.

But a proposal discussed at the June GVR meeting could extend children’s hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.

The board of directors will vote on extending the hours July 28.

The change was raised by members who say their children and grandchildren would enjoy the longer hours, but some members say a family pool could be a liability and an intrusion.

Joan Lewis, a longtime GVR pool monitor and monitor trainer, said GVR has more young people than ever, and she’s worried about the safety of children using the pools, which don’t have lifeguards.

“I think GVR’s been extremely lucky not to have any drownings,” Lewis said.

Other members echoed the sentiment and suggested that GVR look into hiring a permanent lifeguard for the pool if hours are extended.

Jim Cassidy, GVR’s finance director, said Rancho Sahuarita pays $9.50 to $15 per hour for its lifeguard, and said hiring one full-time lifeguard would cost an estimated $55,000 a year.

Board member Linda Sparks said if GVR hires a lifeguard for one pool, lifeguards should be hired for the other 12 because older people are also at risk of drowning.

Volunteer monitors at GVR pools ensure that rules are followed and contact emergency services if someone is injured. They are not required to know CPR or have any kind of medical certification.

If no one volunteers for a time slot, or if a monitor goes home early, pools stay open with no supervision.

According to GVR rules, an adult must be in the pool area when children under 18 are swimming. For children under 6, an adult has to be in the pool.

Sparks said she’s in favor of a family pool, even without a lifeguard, because she “believes in personal responsibility.” But she worries that with the longer hours, parents may be tempted to leave kids unattended for long periods of time.

She said she has never had a bad experience with kids causing problems in GVR pools, but would “like to have some defined rules in place” before board members vote.

Sparks also pointed out that GVR is not an age-restricted organization — though most of its homeowners’ associations are — and says an estimated 15 to 20 neighborhoods in GVR are not age-restricted.

Tommy Wilson, a routine lap swimmer at the West Center, pointed out that water at the West Center pool is colder than other GVR pools, which is preferred by serious swimmers. He said extending children’s hours would “show no consideration for lap swimmers.”

Pool monitor Gary Kissinger agreed, saying, “we are a retirement community” and should give priority to older swimmers.

Board member Marge Garneau, who enjoys taking her grandchildren swimming at GVR pools, said last week at a Board Affairs and Bylaws Committee meeting that she objects to any “kid-bashing,” and added that the current children’s hours are not suitable for some working parents.

Extending the hours would be “a service to our membership,” Garneau said.

jrichardson@gvnews.com | 547-9726