Aquatics Center Will Open
Saturday, March 18th at 5:30 AM
Dear Y Family,
Over the last couple of months, we have faced a few unexpected issues in our Aquatics Center that have left you without the ability to engage in your regular exercise routine. These issues have been incredibly frustrating for you, as well as YCAM Staff.
Like many other industries, we have been faced with supply chain issues for parts, waiting upwards of 8 weeks for delivery and installation. We realize the impact that this has on all of you and are incredibly thankful for your grace and patience. You deserve quality programs, great amenities, and genuine member service. Please know that you are our focus, and our team is doing everything we can to resolve issues that may impact your health and well-being.
In the meantime, your Y Membership allows you access to YMCA Nationwide Membership in which you can attend any participating YMCA, including our neighboring YMCAs, the Butler YMCA, Bairel YMCA, Beaver County YMCA, Sewickley YMCA, and Lawrence County YMCA. We are also offering some water fitness classes at our Butler Y facility. If you have any questions about exercise recommendations to do on dryland, please contact Kathy Hensler, Healthy Living Director, at khensler@bcfymca.org.
We expect our Lap Pool, Warm Water Pool, Family Fun Pool, and Steam Room to reopen this Saturday. The Sauna will reopen by Tuesday, March 21, and we continue to wait for parts to arrive for the Family Fun Pool sprays, slide, and Whirl Pool. We will provide any additional updates as they become available. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience these issues have caused and we will welcome all of you back on Saturday with open arms!
Sincerely,
Carrie Ohorodnyk
Executive Director
Bill Tracy
Chairman of the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA Board of Managers
March 13th & 14th: Due to chemicals and air quality issues, the Aquatics Center will be closed on Monday, March 13th, and Tuesday, March 14th.
All classes, swim lessons, and other aquatics activities are canceled.
Over the weekend, we continued to treat and monitor the phosphate and chemical levels in the pools. Unfortunately, they have not yet reached a safe range to enable us to reopen the Aquatics Center. We will do another treatment tomorrow and continue to monitor the situation. Our staff are well-trained and knowledgeable in pool mechanics, and are working hard to fix this frustrating issue.
All classes, swim lesson, and swim team are canceled.
UPDATES
We wanted to provide you with a full update of what is going on to be as transparent as possible. Please read below:
- HVAC System - We have replaced a faulty air sensor and our HVAC system is functioning as expected, however due to the chemical issues in the water, the air quality is still not at ideal levels. This is a huge win and step in the right direction for the Aquatics Center to reopen soon.
- Chemical Levels - We are currently treating the level of phosphates in the water. Once the phosphates are removed, we can do a
de-chlorination shock to the pools and begin adding chlorine slowly back into the water. Once levels are back to the required range, we will open the Aquatics Center. We sincerely apologize for not being able to give a definitive time on the closures; however, chemicals have to be added slowly and are required to sit for 24 hours before taking a proper reading. Our maintenance team will be here throughout the weekend to treat the water and test levels.
- Hot Tub - We received a boiler this week that was damaged in transit. A plumber determined that the damaged boiler cannot be repaired and we'll need a new boiler. We are told the boiler will take no more than 6 weeks to arrive. If anything changes, we will keep you updated. There is a huge shortage nationwide for parts of this nature which is why delivery times are weeks out.
- Family Fun Pool Sprays/Slide - Two parts are needed to fix this feature: a motor and an impeller. We have received the motor, but are waiting on the impeller to complete the installation. We expect to receive this part in the next two weeks. Once we receive and install, we will let you know.
- Sauna - We have a NEW sauna renovation coming this week! All the wood is being replaced and the entire sauna refreshed. This will be happening on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this coming week. We are very excited about this refreshment and the value it will add to our Aquatics Center!
Our desire is to be transparent with you about what is happening in our Aquatics Center. As our building ages, we have experienced several equipment failures that are impossible to predict. Our maintenance team has been working extra hours over the last week to fix this issue.
Please continue to be kind to all staff as these issues are not anyone's fault and we are doing the absolute best we can.
Thank you for your grace and patience. We are just as frustrated as you are and desire to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.
March 9th & 10th: Due to chemicals not being at ideal levels, the Aquatics Center will be closed on Thursday March 9th and Friday March 10th.
All classes swim lessons, and swim team are canceled.
We have been working tirelessly to fix the current chemical levels in the Aquatics Center. Our maintenance team and HVAC service provider are monitoring the situation after the install of a new indoor air sensor. In addition, we are continuing to work to level out the chemical levels due to the HVAC issues we experienced this week.
You will receive further communication from us on Friday in regard to the progress we've made over the next several days.
We know that this situation is frustrating and puts a pause on you and your families use of the Aquatics Center and related activities. We are equally as frustrated and have had staff working hard to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. We can't thank you enough for your patience.The Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA is a non-profit, charitable organization open to all people, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, ability or income. Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
