Does this information from the 12/16/2021 Board Meeting Minutes attachments - Management Report make sense? Is it proper justification for no longer using pool covers? Is there a math wiz to verify these claims? I do not know how the pools are heated, the temps that are maintained, or the months of actual current pool cover usage. Even without the numbers it sure sounds like an awful waste of energy. This report notes there were past reportable injuries - but they seem to have addressed the issue so I am not sure how it enters into the argument of not using covers. https://suncityaz.org/wp-content/up...day-Board-Meeting-Agenda-with-Attachments.pdf Centers Operations Pool covers have been used in winter and spring months in the past to reduce pool temperature loss during the overnight times the pools are unused. The covers currently at five centers (covers have not been used at Sundial and Fairway Centers) have been in service for four years and are end of life. In reviewing the upfront cost of the covers that totaled over $40,000 in 2017 and the annual staffing cost related to the use of pool covers of $20,160, the projected four-year cost of pool covers is at least $120,000 and likely higher due to cover cost increases in the last four years. The savings in gas utility usage do not project to produce an amount that would offset the projected four-year cost. While the procedures in place by the Operations team have prevented employee injuries from the use of covers in recent years, there have been reportable injuries due to the size and weight of the covers in the past. Because of both factors the current covers will not be replaced.
Seems to me if it is a financial question then to insure pool temps are at desirable levels they should just keep the heaters on all night long. I know from our pool, no i don't heat it even though i could, it would be easier to maintain it rather than trying every day to get it back up to where people are comfortable. The point is you can do the math and know the cost of covers (factored out over 4 years) and the cost of labor (they do make automatic cover mechanism BTW) then the next equation/analysis would be to maintain (no idea what they are set at, but say 84 degrees) then how much will it cost them to leave heaters on all night? The problem is once the water temps drop, restoring them is a slow process and expensive as well. If the plan is to just let people using the pools freeze, well that's another issue altogether.
Speaking from absolute ignorance on the subject here except as a pool user and observer of rec center staffing, I find it very hard to believe gas prices will not be climbing nor do I buy into the figures on the cost for staff to roll them on and off. There are untold minutes in each day where that time can be made up by staff actually performing more duties rather than jawing with each other, eating meals at their posts, checking their phones, etc. Additionally, there are probably more energy efficient products available than there were 5 years ago, possible solar heating arrays that can be explored, etc. Sounds to me like more details are needed, so Cheri I'm with you.
Okay here's some information regarding pools after speaking to an employee at Lakeview. Pools are covered nightly heaters are on 24/7 he said from the end of October when the temperatures finally cool down through approximately May 1st pools are covered and what he told me in regards to fairway and sundial sundials indoors and fairway has an awning which helps keep the heat in this is somebody fairly knowledgeable at Lakeview that is worked for Sun City in multiple positions. All pools are used in the winter time for water aerobics so they have to be heated. You want more information go to the source which is Lakeview
Did you ask him about the article that Cheri quoted above from the Financials? (Because of both factors the current covers will not be replaced.) Does he know that they are not planning on replacing the covers when he gave you that information? I'd be curious what his reaction would have been. Or, am I not understanding our concerns?
My original post has to do with verify/trust. I just find it hard to believe we will save money (or rather come out about equal) if we don't use new covers. We all know energy costs keep rising.
From the what it's worth department: As i read the report, it appears they are saying it will be cost effective to leave the covers off and keep the heaters running 24/7. No idea how they figured that, but i am sure it is possible if they have the data to heat it during the day and then the factor of how much more energy it will take to maintain those temps when they drop into the 30's and 40's. My friend Ben Roloff and i had coffee the other day and were chatting about this. He reminded me when they built the Marinette pool initially everything was done on the cheap. with no heater at all. That brought a chorus of complaints and they quickly added a heater that was i think he said butane fueled which was exorbitant to run. They took that off which brought about unhappy pool users and they quickly replaced that with something more economical. Suffice to say, no matter what they do, the pool best be comfortable when users go to jump in or the complaints will be loud and long.
