One of the first promises new Recreation Manager Aaron Himelson
made when he took over the job of running the Morgan Hill Aquatics
Center was to appeal to the entire community. If the aquatics
center
’s programs are any indication, Himelson will make good on that
promise.
One of the first promises new Recreation Manager Aaron Himelson made when he took over the job of running the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center was to appeal to the entire community.
If the aquatics center’s programs are any indication, Himelson will make good on that promise.
When the center participates in its first summer recreation program Registration Fair on Saturday, there will be something for nearly everyone.
The Registration Fair is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center.
And, area residents will have the chance to sign up for everything from swim lessons for nearly every age group and water aerobics to special training and fun events.
“I think we’ve tried to meet the overall needs of the community and appeal to the many different groups,” Himelson said. “We tried to put together a well-rounded program and this is a good sampling of what programs we hope to offer. And, we hope to expand in the future.”
Though construction is lagging behind a hoped-for Memorial Day “soft” opening, the center should be ready for the planned June 12 grand opening, Project Manager Glenn Ritter said.
It is then when the center can begin offering its variety of summer programs.
One of the highlights of the slate of swim programs is several special events, including the “Teen Howl,“ the “Dive-In Movie,” the “Food, Fun and Family” barbecue and the “Eggstra Morning Swim.”
The “Teen Howl” event, for teens 13-17, is a teens-only event to be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on two Thursdays this summer.
The “Dive-In Movie” will include aquatic-themed films being shown on an outdoor screen that can be viewed while in the pools on two Saturdays in July.
“Food, Fun and Family” features a barbecue on three summer Friday nights.
And, the “Eggstra Morning Swim” offers breakfast before a day of swimming at the center on two Saturdays this summer.
“What we’re trying to do is offer people a chance to participate in programs and get acquainted with the center,” Himelson said. “That’s what special programs are especially good for.”
In addition, the aquatics center will offer swim lessons for a range of ages from parent-toddler programs to preschoolers to progressive level programs for pre-teens — all themed with names like “Cuttle Fish,” “Clown Fish,” “Jelly Fish,” “Sea Turtle,” “Sting Ray,” “Playtpus,” “Crocodile” and “Great White,” among others.
A swim conditioning class for those who have passed the highest level of swim lessons are also available, along with private lessons and adaptive swim lessons for children with disabilities.
Swimming instruction for teens and adults of various skill levels will also be offered.
Several water aerobics and aquatics conditioning classes will feature age and skill-specific instruction.
Finally, the center will offer American Red Cross lifeguard and water safety instructor classes.
All the classes are offered in addition to the usual recreational swim availability.
And, for the first time this summer, the Morgan Hill Rec Department will offer regular visits to the aquatics center as part of its Day Camp program.
According to Himelson, the Rec Department will employ about 140 lifeguards, instructors, Day Camp counselors, concession workers and cashiers for the aquatics center.
Nearly all of them were hired from the Job Fair held earlier this year.
The $12.9 million center is located on Condit Road between Tennant and Dunne avenues in Morgan Hill.
The center features a 50-meter competitive pool, a 25-yard instructional pool, a recreational pool with spray ground and water slides, locker rooms, first aid and instructional/special event rooms, and concessions.
The plan is for the aquatics center to remain open full-time during the so-called core “summer” months of operation, from May through September.
A tentative plan calls for the center to be open from about 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., with rec swimming from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and lessons in the morning and evening hours.
As attendance drops off, so will the center’s services and hours of operation until it closes down completely in the off-season.
The Morgan Hill Aquatics Foundation is planning to take over operation of the competitive 50-meter pool during the much of the off-season period and continue offering access to competitive swimming.
