Wednesday, July 14, 2010

A Message from the President

To All Bond Holders,
I can remember when I was a kid at Wenonah Swim Club during the summers of the 1970's.  The pool was clear, the pool was cloudy, we got ear infections, we would put silly putty in our ears to keep the water out, eventually it ended up at the bottom of the pool,  we got better.
Parents, the broad of health has been out to inspect our pool and aside from a few minor issues, the main pool passed.  The baby pool was briefly closed, but is now reopened.  The quality of the water is tested on a daily basis.  The appearance of debris (grass, dirt, leaves, pine needles) in the pool is no reflection of the level of bacteria in the pool.  It is more a product of a dry summer, bathers not showering prior to entering the pool, sunscreen, wearing shoes on the deck, etc.  The cloudiness of the pool is also not a reflection of the bacteria level in the pool.  It can be the product of a long list of causes and tends to be the result of multiple factors and we are looking into the situation.
One of the great challenges of Wenonah swim club is running such a large operation (300,000 gallons ) for only three months.  It takes a lot of work to get the pool open and filled, as well as the grounds and buildings in good order.  We turn around and it is July and the summer is half over.  The swim season will be over in a few weeks and the pool will be empty for the first few weeks of August.  Next thing you know, it is labor day and we are getting ready to put the cover back on the pool.  Sorry to rush the summer but these have been the mile posts of my summers since I was 5 years and just learning how to swim.  The pool got cloudy and pool got clear.
As owners of one 350th of the pool and volunteers, each board member takes pride in its appearance.  We are all reminded by our spouses that we need to enjoy our time up at the pool and not spend our time there working on the pool.  On the other hand I would remind the members that this their pool as well and they should treat it like they treat their home.  We as a group need to clean up after ourselves and have that expectation of our children and guests.  Some day our children will be the owners/members and may even be asked to sit on the board.  We employ lifeguards not bus boys.  We need take care of the equipment and treat it as if we will have to pay to replace it, because we do.
Wenonah Swim Club is such a unique place in South Jersey.  I have been to most, if not all, of the pools in Tri-County and none of them offers a better setting, more land, more shade, and more seclusion from the outside world.  I always feel like I am away when I am there.  I can't see any signs of civilization beyond the fences and with a little imagination and no driving, I could be up in the Poconos or the Catskills.  We all need to treat it with the respect we treat our own homes, so we can pass it on to the next generation to enjoy.

Sincerely,
Chris Campbell
President