Hello City Council,
I have belonged to the Masters Swim Team since 2006 when I moved from New York City to Menlo Park. Not only did the Masters group welcome me and improve my swimming, but they have formed an important part of my social network over the last 17 years. My experience at Menlo Swim has included Masters Swimming, Lap Swimming and swim camp for both of my children. The experiences have all been positive.
I reviewed the proposals from all 3 candidates. I have included my comments about all 3 proposals below. If there is a comparison in simply a cost comparison between the 3, I do not think it would reflect the role of community building that Team Sheeper has accomplished.
SOLO Aquatics
Solo Aquatics will operate the Burgess Memorial Pool “in a way that gives the people of Menlo Park access to the facilities.” This is a statement of intent, but I do not see any details in how they will accomplish this goal.
Hours of Operation: 5AM – 8PM It is difficult to imagine how they will staff the 5 – 6AM slot.
The proposal seems to be focused on competitive swimming. I do not see any evidence of community events.
A high level employment structure is listed, but lacks the robust details as seen the proposal from Team Sheeper.
Swimming Swan it an out of state management company.
Swimming Swan LLC does not have a Masters Swim Team program, but is “confident in our ability to begin this type of programming”.
Hours of Operation: 10AM – 8PM. This is not adequate for the swimmers in Menlo Park.
They will CLOSE the facilities on MLK, 4th of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day. These are holidays that members of our community use the pool due to their busy Silicon Valley schedules. These closures indicate that a company that exists outside of our community clearly does not understand the community.
The proposal contains generic stock photos. The Marketing and Design Manager is on the same level as the Operations and Training Manager. This indicates to me a leaning toward applying a generic formula to our swimming community.
Team Sheeper
Team Sheeper has deep roots in the community and as a result of those deep roots has established a network of coaches and lifeguards that also are a part of the community. We know the employees and interact with them in our community. While it is possible that an out of state management company could eventually cultivate this type of community, there is no reason to terminate a company that has spent the last 17 years developing it.
Hours of operation: 6AM – 8PM. They only close on major holidays, Christmas, New Year’s and Thanksgiving.
Team Sheeper has an established Masters Swim Team Program.
I do not find anything in the Swimming Swan LLC proposal about Community Days or Free Water Baby Swim Lessons, Canned Food Drives, Giving Tree Christmas Gift Giving or Warm Coat Donations.
There is a comprehensive employee handbook that has been well established, including a robust benefits package which includes paid sick leave and paid family leave. The employees of Team Sheeper are reliable and respectful. To my knowledge, the pool has never been closed because they did not have employees show up. They do not show up for the hourly wage. They show up because they care about their jobs and the swimming community.
Respectfully submitted,
trish hayes-danitz
c. 347-256-0626
trish hayes-danitz
c. 347-256-0626
