Out with the Old, In with the New!

2015 holidays will soon make way for a brand new year at PAC.

The PAC Staff is more excited than ever to bring you the best season yet at the Pinedale Aquatic Center!  With our new studio spaces fully operational and our new weight room providing more fitness opportunities than ever before, it is truly time at PAC to “Try Something New!” 

And while the gift giving season is upon us, take advantage of our 10% discount on PAC Gift Cards.  This offer runs from Dec. 15^th – Jan. 15^th.  For adults, it is the perfect time to lock in your fitness goals by purchasing an annual pass….maybe our new “couple’s pass” is exactly what you’re looking for?  Beginning in January, you might consider using your PAC gift card to try out one of our new offerings such as Personal Training or Couple’s Dance… 

Extra big news is our FREE YOUTH DAILY ADMISSION TO PAC beginning January 2^nd.  With a Youth Permission to Visit PAC Waiver signed by parents or guardians, youth, 0-18 (or enrolled in high school), can visit PAC at no charge.   Youth under 8 must be accompanied by an adult while participating at PAC.

Remember that any Family or Youth monthly/yearly pass that will not expire before Jan. 2^nd, may be applied to Household Credit.  See Guest Services to fill out your “Household Credit Request for Youth Pass Reimbursement” form Jan. 2^nd – Mar. 1^st, 2016.

Since Punch passes are not reimbursable, come on in with your family and friends and use them up!  The holidays are an ideal time to play with the family at PAC, or meet your friends for a workout and a sit in the hot tub.  PAC is open with regular hours during Christmas Break, with the exception of two Friday closures on Christmas Day, Dec. 25^th, and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1^st.

PAC is more prepared than ever to offer something for everyone, whether it be your immediate family, your friend group or your children.  Between leagues, special events, and plenty of individual and group workout opportunities, we challenge you to be healthier, fitter, happier and more engaged this year. 

Did I mention that fitness classes are FREE from January 4^th – 15^th?  And, so is Child Care for those attending fitness classes. 

Our 2016 Winter-Spring Activity Guide will be available to patrons Christmas week…  Be sure to get online and/or stop by Guest Services to pick up a copy.  You’ll be amazed at what you find.

So, as 2015 draws to a close, set some goals, challenge yourself and…

Come to PAC to “TRY SOMETHING NEW!”

New Recreation Staff at PAC...

PAC is proud to welcome two new staff members to its Recreation Department! 

Alan Gudka and Jason Burton  are PAC's new Recreation Managers, and will join Recreation Coordinator, Amber Anderson, to round out the full-time team that creates and facilitates year-round youth and family activities at PAC. 

Alan Gudka comes to Pinedale from a small town in Colorado.  He says that in his free time he’ll be hunting, fishing, or watching the Broncos play on Sunday.  The program he is most excited about at PAC is football, since he played college football at the University of Saint Mary. It is his desire to pass on his knowledge of the game to the youth in the community.  WELCOME, Alan! 

Jason Burton returns after a few years away from the PAC. He comes back armed with a master’s degree in Public Administration, new experience and knowledge, and an excitement to call PAC and this community home once again!  WELCOME back, Jason!

Stop in to meet Alan and Jason and find out how they will be helping you to enjoy PAC even more!

It's Fall at PAC!

Please join us WEDNESDAY, September 9^th, from 3:30 to 6:30 pm for our

FALL EXPO

And

GRAND WELCOMING

The FALL EXPO will showcase many community organizations and what they have to offer local youth and families this fall season, September – December.  PAC’s GRAND WELCOMING will officially introduce our new spaces to all our patrons.  From the basement storage, through the weight room, up into the studio spaces, come see how we can serve you better. There will be behind the scenes tours, raffle prizes, mini fitness classes, and free food!  Join your friends for a fun evening of getting together and celebrating all the amazing opportunities our community offers. 

Plan to participate in one or more of our FREE MINI FITNESS CLASS in the new studios.  Classes will be every 30 minutes, beginning at 4:00, through 6:00 pm!

Come see PAC's new WEIGHT ROOM and give it a try!

And finally.....

Ellen and Cheryl---and all our Friendly Staff, will be there to welcome you, show you around, and ensure you have a great time...

We'll be looking for you, to SHARE THE FUN at PAC!!

PAC Dedicates its Climbing Wall to the Memory of Todd Skinner

Hannah, Amy, Jake & Sarah Skinner

On Saturday, July 18^th, the climbing wall at PAC became the TODD SKINNER MEMORIAL CLIMBING WALL.

Over 80 people gathered for the dedication event, and speakers included world class climber Steve Bechtel and community members Albert Sommers, Greg Legerski , Gene Andrews and Ric Samulski.  Family members who shared memories of Todd were his brother Orion, and his two uncles Courtney and Monte Skinner.  People came from far and wide to honor Todd’s legacy by telling stories of his persuasive ways, his ability to teach and motivate others to do their best; and to always be reaching for great heights, in all aspects of life.

Honored guests of the day were Todd Skinner’s immediate family, Amy, his wife, and his three children Hannah, Sarah and Jake.  It was Todd’s family who unveiled the plaque and made the renaming of the PAC wall official. 

This event provided the bridge between the past and the present, by defining Todd’s impact on the sport of climbing and how PAC fits into it.  Through PAC’s mission of promoting lifetime skill development by educating and motivating patrons to try to new things, we are carrying on this positive legacy.

PAC looks forward to creating even more opportunities to inspire individuals to keep reaching for the next challenge.  And, the Todd Skinner Memorial Climbing Wall will remind us of all that is possible.

 The extended Skinner family present for the Climbing Wall Dedication July 18, 2015

Our PAC Poet In Residence, Cork Kelly, wrote this poem for the Dedication 

Todd Skinner 

It is fitting that our climbing wall be named for Todd

who elevated the free climb style to a true art form

and from mountains to mountains he devotedly trod

to climb to their peaks in both sunshine and storm.

Responding to each of the challenges’ calls

from Africa, Greenland, and Pakistan--

the first to do free climbs on countless sheer walls

including Yosemite’s Salathe of El Capitan.

His ghost walks all of our halls where he learned

in Pinedale how to study, to work,  and to play,

and on this climbing wall none will ever get burned

for his spirit will always provide a smooth, safe belay. 

—c.f. kelly

PAC's New Addition

Final details of construction completion are taking place in the new “south-side” addition to the Pinedale Aquatic Center.  We anticipate being able to utilize these new spaces and introduce them to you, our waiting public, by the end of July.

Our entire addition encompasses approximately 8000 sq. ft. and allows for all PAC storage to be housed in organized and efficient locations at the middle and lower levels, plus office spaces for our maintenance/custodial team, permanent file storage, and freight delivery at the lower level; and the awesome, amazing program spaces which are the new fitness studio at the upper level, and our new weight room, right off the gymnasium.

Below, see three views of our track level studio space(s)

This is the view of the “Wyoming Room,” studio, looking west…

This view encompasses the whole large studio space, looking east, from the west end... “Wyoming Room” through to the east end, “Wind River Room." Note the portable wall (on the left wall, to the right of the first door), that can separate the two studios, creating two distinct program areas.

Equipment to be stored at the studio level includes spin bikes, kettle bells ranging from 8-20 pounds, medicine balls ranging from 4-20 pounds, stability balls and Bosu balls.  A TRX system will also be mounted in this new area.

Note the kallwall on the right of this view, providing natural light from the south. 

Here is a quick glance of the new PAC weight room that is located south of the existing gymnasium

The PAC weight room will house a squat rack, free plate weights, a bench press, and dumbbells ranging from 5 to 100 pounds.  There will also be a back/core/ab machine, a preacher curl machine, foam rollers and kettle bells ranging from 20-45 pounds.  There will be plenty of medicine balls, along with weighted jump ropes and jump boxes (to be used in the gym).

PAC Staff will invite the public into these spaces as soon as final details are in place, projected by the end of July. Stay tuned for the news, via our website, www.pinedaleaquatic.com, our Facebook page, Pinedale Online, and by calling Guest Services at 367-2832, ext. 3.  Our Grand Opening, including fitness demonstrations in our new spaces, will take place at FALL EXPO, on Wed., September 9^th.

Then, as now, we look forward to serving you well.

PAC---making a difference in your community!

Todd Skinner legendary rock climber

PAC Celebrates SCSD#1 Students!

When graduation time rolls around each year, its a natural time to take stock of all the good things that happened during the past school year.  PAC celebrates student success!  Two examples stand out...

We are very proud of the PAC Teen Council that was comprised of six Pinedale High School teens from all four classes.  They represented their student body in creating events their peers would enjoy attending and that reflected initiatives they were working on at the time.  For example, the Council hosted the mid-December event, "Toy to the World," to encourage the community to donate a toy for a deserving child, as admission to the fun, refreshment-rich dive-in movie event held at PAC.  The students planned, facilitated, cleaned up and de-briefed all events held, evaluating their cost effectiveness and value to the community.  And, the council members, with the guidance of the PAC Staff, created a Teen Council charter that will be used for future councils for years to come.  A bank account was established for the PAC Teen Council's use so the officers will be tracking their revenue and expenses and working within a budget, all the while making a connection between PAC, PHS teens and the wider community.

Students this year included from left to right, Nathan Lee, (JJ Huntley), Kara Dyess, Skyler Davis, Brooke Hornberger, McKenna Legerski, Jarret Hamby, (Amber Anderson & Chase Judd).  All but seniors Sky and Kara will be part of the PAC Teen Council for school year 2015-2016.  The Council will increase to eight students, representing two from each class.

We are also very proud of the 5th Grade Fitness Champions from the Pinedale Elementary School. PAC has the privilege of working hand in hand with the district's teachers to provide additional fitness and recreational opportunities for students during their school year.  When Ms. Laura Conwell contacted us that the fifth grade was having a friendly competition for students to see how many miles they could log, we said we'd be proud to celebrate these students.  PAC provided free day passes to winners and would like to recognize the ones who finished as champions at PES.

5th Grade Champions, left to right are Anton Kudar, Alena Mika, Katie LaBuda, and Jackson Harber.

***PAC asked the following interview questions, and this is how our champions responded:

Does your body feel stronger now that you have successfully completed this challenge?  Tell us how....

Katie -- Yes, because I can run longer distances now and also I’m not as out of breath as I was before.

Alena – Yes!

Jackson -- I used to have to stop after running awhile, but now I can run for a longer amount of time.

Anton – Yes because after I run a lot my legs feel very strong.

Since you have this good habit established, do you intend to keep working out on a regular basis?  If so, how many days of the week, and what sorts of activities will you do?

Katie- Yes, I am planning to exercise every weekend. Some activities I might do are run, walk, bike, or rollerblade.

Alena –I do plan to keep working out with sports like soccer, dance, volleyball, and cheer!

Jackson – I work out by running. Every day I run around inside my house. Sometimes I do the workouts my mom does with her.

Anton- Well I do WYW (Wyoming Youth Workout) and it is 3 days a week.

Is it fun to work out with others?  Or do you prefer to exercise by yourself?

Katie- I think it is more fun to exercise with someone because you have someone to talk to or someone to race against.

Alena- I prefer to workout with others.

Jackson- I don’t really care. I don’t get bored to easy.

Anton – In my opinion it is fun to workout with others and so you can talk and have fun.

Is your family physically active?  Do you like to exercise, play games & sports and generally be active when you are with your family?

Katie- Yes, when it is nice outside on weekends we usually go on 3-6 mile runs or we bike 3-6 miles

Alena – My family is active and we like to play sports together.

Jackson- Yes, my parents both work out every day. My brothers and I play sports.

Anton- My family is very active. My mom and dad love to work out and play games. Everyone in my family does something active each day.

How do you see your interest in fitness and being healthy affecting your life as you grow to be an adult?

Katie- I see my fitness affecting my life because then I can stay active and healthy even when I’m older.

Alena- I would still like to be healthy and active when I am an adult.

Jackson- Well, I will get stronger and be able to do things without much stress on my body.        

Anton- It will help you be more athletic and active. 

Katie, Alena, Jackson and Anton are great examples of active kids beginning to realize the value of lifetime fitness.  Our school district and PAC, together, provide great opportunities for our youth to learn about and practice skills for lifetime fitness.  Celebrating these student achievements is a good way to finish the school year and kick off summer 2015. The PAC Staff looks forward to a great summer of working with youth in fun, challenging, and socially engaging ways!  Our mission is to encourage and facilitate fitness and recreational opportunities that will enhance wellness in our community, twelve months of the year.

We hope you, like our youth, will get moving this summer.  Play hard, share the fun, and benefit for a lifetime!

MAINTENANCE & TRAINING WEEK AT PAC

Coming right up....

JUNE 1st - 7th

PAC will be CLOSED 

to accomplish a myriad of facility tasks and staff training.

It is our hope to begin moving some shelving and other site-specific supplies and equipment into our new south side addition during this time as well.  "Moving in" will be dependent on successful completion of the construction punch list by the General Contractor HOGAN, and architect, VCBO, to occur in late May.  PAC Staff will keep you well informed when we have taken occupancy of the new spaces!

"Spaces" in our new 8000 sq. ft. addition include gym level storage, 2 unisex restrooms and a new weight room area.  At the track level, PAC will now have a large studio room, capable of being divided into two program areas.  At the basement level, where freight can be received, is a large room with storage for seasonal supplies and equipment, and custodial/maintenance supplies, Maintenance/custodial work station areas and permanent file storage will also be housed in the basement. 

During this "shutdown week," we will be stripping, cleaning, painting and re-setting our climbing wall. And, tile will be replaced and repaired in the locker rooms, family change rooms and where needed in the pools.  A new door is being installed in the spectator area (of the competition pool) to create a new function in a current janitorial space---providing PAC with an equipment repair area.

Staff training the first week of June includes, but is not limited to:  a Community First Aid and CPR course, a CPR for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid course, and an emergency scenario with local law enforcement.  Each department will be hosting their own department specific trainings as well.  If we are able to "move in," Staff will be in 'over-drive,' in preparation for re-opening Monday morning, June 8th at 5am!

General heavy cleaning jobs that we'll accomplish include high dusting in the fitness equipment area while equipment is moved, cleaned and repaired.  We will also be tossing the obsolete, and organinzing offices and files in preparation to either move them or just enjoy the necessary (systematic) purging of paperwork.

No matter what, we will be ready for you, our Patrons, to return to PAC Monday, June 8th!  We have a FULL SCHEDULE of summer activities, easily viewed online at www.pinedaleaquatic.com.

At that time, we'll let you know if we've moved in (or not), and how soon YOU will be able to check out the new spaces.  Either way...count on our BIG GRAND OPEN HOUSE to be held during FALL EXPO on Wednesday, September 9th, when we welcome everyone back after summer.  But, you will not have to wait that long to check out the new areas.  Stay tuned for the "news flashes" that will be posted regularly on this blog and on our Facebook page.

We appreciate you and are very excited to continue providing you with outstanding recreational and leisure opportunities that enhance your family's life!

Come to PAC and SHARE THE FUN!!

JJ

What's Happening at PAC?

So glad you asked!  This week alone wraps up the successful session of March evening swim lessons, and boasts the MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT, Wednesday, the 25^th.

On Thursday, March 26^th, we invite all kids (and their parents) to enjoy the FREE UNDERWATER EASTER EGG HUNT from 5:30-6:30pm.  Pre-school to kindergarten go first, so don’t be late!  This event is pure fun as the kids launch into the water in search of the “golden egg!”  There will be goodie bags for all and a chance to get a picture with the Easter Bunny. 

Friday, March 27^th, afternoon, is the beginning of SPRING BREAK in Pinedale.  Come float the competition pool and enjoy a dive-in movie at 2 & 6pm on Friday to celebrate break time!   PAC will be open with regular hours all during spring break week.  Youth are half price for all of break.  And on Friday, April 3^rd, PAC hosts FREE YOUTH FRIDAY!

Beginning April 1^st, we will host our second annual WYOMING & WIND RIVER RANGE CYCLING CHALLENGE .  Participants will chart their progress in the PAC lobby, following a mapped course that winds around the Wind River and Wyoming Ranges. 

We do hope you’re signed up (or still will) for the MILE HIGH CLIMBING CHALLENGE that is happening NOW. It will inspire you through many interesting routes up PAC’s indoor climbing wall.  The staff does a great job of “shaking it up” with route changes, rated for their difficulty, and always encouraging climbers to test their skills.  T-shirts and prizes create added incentive! Meanwhile, WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE has been another very fun way for women to ward off any winter blues or mud season downers.  They meet Tuesday nights to match their fast paced skills against one another in a spirit of friendly competition. 

Observing the diversity in age and background of our participants in these various recreational-fitness pursuits is really gratifying.  Truly, participants of all ages…men and women…come together at PAC to try something new and PLAY.  New friendships are forged and old friends re-connect.  That is community!

What About Construction?

Patrons wonder about the status of our new construction.  As was the plan, our south side addition to PAC will provide much needed storage space for the whole facility.  Most observable will be the absence of all the “stuff” that flanks the gym floor, around the perimeter of the gymnasium…  All the equipment that is used for PAC programs, classes and activities will be safely stored in our new spaces.  This will allow for clutter free spaces to play, and will result in a safer area for the many activities that occur in the gym.   This same “clean-up” will also happen in the competition and leisure pool deck areas, as supplies and equipment are moved into storage.  The new upstairs studio room(s), accessed off the south side of the running track, will be just that, studio space.  Fitness classes and other suitable organized group activities will occur there.  There will be a beautiful wood floor and mirrors, allowing for optimal conditions for all things fitness that are best suited for a studio, versus a gymnasium.  When fitness classes (and their gear) move out of the gym, there will be more open gym time and time for structured and unstructured gym activities.  This will naturally allow for simultaneous evening activities at PAC ….something our patrons have been clamoring for.

Many patrons are interested in PAC obtaining additional weight equipment.  Our new addition will allow us to add some new weight equipment. We are looking forward to creating a new space for enhanced weight training options at PAC.  Stay tuned for the exciting details to unfold...

You ask, “when will the addition be open?”  Our general contractor is working hard to wrap up our project and we expect that we will be moving in by late May, early June.  Staff will occupy and furnish these new areas, and we will begin to utilize most of these new spaces this summer.  Our official GRAND OPEN HOUSE will occur on Wed., September 9^th, one week after school starts, during our FALL EXPO.  This will be the time when all of our fall classes and activities will have resumed, and the community will see the benefit of this long anticipated, much needed space.

The PAC Staff will be unveiling SUMMER 2015 at our SPRING EXPO, hosted at PAC on Wed., April 29^th from 3:30-6:30pm.  Plan now to attend this fun filled event and learn of all we’re planning this summer.  You will also see what else is happening in Pinedale, from BOCES to 4H, to all the local organizations with their great ideas for youth and family fun!  We’ll see you there!

PAC—making a difference in YOUR community!

JJ Huntley

Safety at PAC---by Chase Judd, Aquatic Coordinator

Regarding safety, the goal of any recreation center is to make patrons feel safe enough that safety is not even a thought. We want to be so good at risk management that patrons do not think about it. Safety is PAC’s highest priority, and its actions reflect that. This post will discuss why safety is such a huge priority at PAC and what PAC does to keep its patrons safe.

Why safety?

In Wyoming, there is a law that, without pulling specific quotes, essentially states that people, when engaging in recreational activities, are responsible for their own safety. While this might help some facility managers sleep better at night, at PAC we choose to operate a facility that not just follows the industry standard, but sets them. We take safety so seriously for several reasons:

Litigation

Regardless of the current laws, we’re aware that laws change and are vulnerable to the interpretation of judges. Therefore, it behooves us, legally, to create a safe environment for our staff and patrons.

Insurance

What’s more, PAC must carry insurance. There are companies that insure and stand by recreational facilities and cover claims should something go wrong. As we’re all aware, those insurance companies have self-interest to protect their assets. It logically follows, then, that these companies would have criterion that we must adhere to in order to keep our insurance, and if we disregard mandates from the insurance company, then PAC as a sole entity is responsible for paying any settlement that comes from an incident that occurs here.

Patrons

Above the insurance and legality, PAC aims to keep our patrons safe for their own wellbeing.  We like to see you come into PAC every day and enjoy our facility. So we want to keep you around. We not only want you to feel safe enough here that you return day after day, but you also stay healthy enough to keep coming back.

What does PAC do to keep you safe?

Safety Checks

At PAC we are constantly on the lookout for safety concerns. We do this not only by being aware of our surroundings every day, but each department has an opening and closing check list, which involves ensuring the facility is safe.  For example, The Aquatic Department utilizes a separate check list to be completed each morning that is all about facility safety and risk management.

We also make sure that we are inventorying our First Aid kits and Trauma Bags monthly to ensure they are well-stocked. AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) and fire extinguishers are also checked monthly to make sure they will work when needed (let’s keep our fingers crossed that we never do).

 

Equipment

At PAC we have First Aid kits in almost every section of the building. Locations include: Front Desk, Lobby, Walking Track, Basement, Classroom, Party Room, and Child Care. Each lifeguard even carries their own mini first aid kit!

We have two large trauma bags designed for large emergencies. We have three AEDs scattered about the building, and we have fire extinguishers everywhere!

Staff Training

We can outfit our facility with all sorts of great safety equipment, but we need to make sure our staff knows how to use it properly. Every single staff member at PAC is trained in CPR, First Aid, and AED use. Most of our staff are trained at a professional level of CPR (Full-time staff, Lifeguards, etc.).  Several of our staff are trained EMTs!

We are all certified by the American Red Cross; it recommends regular reviews of CPR and First Aid. Every four months each staff member is required to participate in CPR and First Aid training and review. We also do monthly safety trainings (fire and egress, blood borne pathogens, active shooter, and nine other topics).

All PAC departments host regular training as well. Aquatic Staff, because of the nature of being life savers, receive 3.5 hours of training per month. Other department staff also receive training that is appropriate to their unique areas  to ensure patron safety.

Patron Input

PAC Staff prides themselves on how safe we keep our patrons, but we realize that we aren’t perfect. That’s why we have our ‘Suggestion Box’. Every patron comment  submitted is given thought and consideration by supervisory staff. Legitimate safety concerns are addressed immediately. If you see a safety concern, please alert PAC staff immediately or make a comment in our suggestion box.

I appreciate the time you have taken reading this blog, and I hope to see you soon at PAC.

K. Chase Judd

Aquatic Coordinator

cjudd@pinedaleaquatic.com

Coming to Town....

**BRAND NEW**Indoor SPRING SOCCER in Pinedale….

This program is a result of community partners working together and offering their unique expertise for the good of community youth.  By joining forces, the TOWN OF PINEDALE, SUBLETTE COUNTY and THE PINEDALE SOCCER ASSOCIATION, utilizing their combined human and facility resources, will be providing interested youth the chance for a brand new season of soccer play.

Currently, the Pinedale Soccer Association offers a very successful season in late summer/early fall. These practices and games are played on the soccer fields maintained by the Town of Pinedale at the Dudley Key fields. Additionally, the school district has a high school varsity girls’ and boys’ soccer team that is very popular, whose season runs in spring.  These high school teams play on the fields provided by the school district, on the high school campus, including in the Sonny Korfanta football stadium.

To augment these already existing programs, The Town of Pinedale and Mayor Jones requested we try to find a way to offer an additional season to showcase the sport of soccer and get kids playing with more frequency throughout the year.  The goal is for young kids to have the opportunity to develop soccer specific skills over time, and therefore be ready to play well when they reach high school and the varsity team.  Regardless of a youth’s interest in playing varsity soccer, youth will benefit from learning this fun team sport and being physically active.

When seeking a location to host an additional season of soccer for community youth of all ages, the location for such a season was a dilemma.  Due to spring weather conditions, including snow on fields and use by the high school varsity teams, it became clear that any “new” season would need to be indoors.  All district gyms are in use at that time, and the PAC gymnasium has limited availability.

When the possible use of Sublette County facilities was discussed, a viable solution to the question of location was within reach.  County Facility Scheduling Director, Brianne Brower, proposed use of the ice arena after the ice was off and the hockey season ended.  The County Commissioners were agreeable and the plan moved forward.

Meanwhile, the Pinedale Soccer Association offered this new “league” a home within the Association, thereby providing an online registration process, credibility and program insurance for participants.  The Town of Pinedale offered to organize the volunteer coaches and establish program guidelines.  PAC is pleased to promote the efforts of all the above partners.

With a place, a format, and a process, the new “SPRING SOCCER in Pinedale” season dates were established.  Play will begin April 20^th and run through May 28^th.  Go to www.pinedalesoccer.com and look for the link called “Spring Soccer Registration.”  And see PAC’S website to print off a flyer!

We project a very successful pilot season of spring soccer.  What’s most important, however, is the process that took place to initiate this recreational opportunity within our community.  Separate organizations, each with a resource needed, came together with a common cause and made something happen.  Only by collaboration could this have been possible.  By identifying the challenge and analyzing the situation, a plan was generated.  Without any one of these partners, this spring soccer program would not have been possible.  It took all of us.

Now, for the participants….JJ Huntley

Spring Has Sprung?

At PAC, Spring has Sprung!

If melting snow, beautiful sunny days and light jackets make you think of spring, then we’ve had a taste of it in Sublette County!

At PAC’s construction site, workers have asked, “is this mud season?!”  When we say, “no, actually, not quite yet…!” we are all left to wonder, WHAT’S NEXT and WHEN will it come?!

While we do anticipate the next snow storm, and maybe a lot more winter with it.…we are pleased with the good progress that has been made on our new south side addition. This break in the weather has given us an advantage in pressing forward with construction.

 To date, the penetrations through the wall of the existing building have taken place at all three levels; and the translucent kaulwall  panels have been installed on the south side, providing significant light to the studio room at the second level.  Framing and exterior sheathing is essentially complete and insulation is being installed, as is interior drywall. Mechanical and electrical rough in has progressed well, to allow drywall installation.  The roof deck is complete and the roofing crew is installing insulation.  The membrane and flashing will be completed during February, as will the fire sprinkler piping.

PAC Staff look forward to taking occupancy in late spring.  Is that late April or May?  We don’t know for sure. However, in preparation for that day, we are studying spaces and their square footages to wisely plan function.  Our goal is to have shelving and supplies ordered that will be necessary to accomplish the storage function of the basement and gym level storage areas by April 1^st.  Meanwhile, we will have gone through all PAC inventory, labeled and organized it, to be ready to be moved to these new, accessible storage areas.  This means items will be removed from a classroom at BOCES, which PAC has occupied for several years.  It also means rounding up items stored “here and there” throughout PAC, consolidating them and preparing them to move to their new locations. 

The visible result of efficiently utilizing these new spaces will be a clutter-free gymnasium perimeter, and clutter-free pool deck areas and spectator areas.  Programmatically, there will be increased capacity to run activities concurrently, such as evening fitness classes (that adults have been clamoring for), while organized youth or adult leagues are running in the gymnasium.  If an organized activity is not scheduled for the gym, it will be available for open (patron driven) recreation.  Again, this has been a patron request… to have more “open gym” opportunities at PAC.

Consistently, when surveyed, PAC patrons have requested more frequency of evening classes.  Between the gymnasium and the existing classroom, our present options have been limited and finite.  With our new addition, we anticipate a significant increase in after school and evening activity at PAC.  Adults of all ages, and their families, will find something that interests them, whether independently or as a group.

It is YOU, the patron, and the stakeholder, that makes this amazing recreational facility work.  Without your investment in leisure and recreational opportunities in our community, PAC would not be a reality.  We are fortunate enough to have the tax base to support this effort, but to sustain the mission of PAC for the long term, we need you to continue enjoying the enhancement PAC brings to all ages in our community.  As a Staff, we encourage you to keep ‘partnering’ with us to ensure that PAC remains the place the community cannot imagine living without.  We are here to serve you.

As our new addition emerges, stay tuned for news about our ribbon cutting celebration…  It will be a great time to get together with friends and neighbors, take a tour, see what’s happening, get excited about the possibilities, and to encourage all to “Share the Fun!” at PAC in 2015!

Never hesitate to email or call with any questions you may have:  jhuntley@pinedaleaquatic.com or 367-2832, ext. 6245.

JJ Huntley

PAC Celebrates our Partners

Written By: Amber Anderson, Recreation Coordinator

As the Pinedale Aquatic Center prepares to celebrate our 7^th birthday, we wish to acknowledge what we are truly celebrating.  The PAC is a world class recreation facility and February marks the anniversary month of our grand opening of the building itself.  But it is not the facility alone that we celebrate; rather it is what the facility represents in the community and the people that make it come alive that we truly need to celebrate.  These people who are the thriving energy and life of PAC are our PARTNERS – and that means YOU!

“To partner” can be defined as working or participating together with a business or persons on a cooperative objective.  From a business sense, PAC’s partners are many.  To highlight a few we should begin with our largest business partner, Sublette County School District #1, who provides us with not only the amazing facility but with additional space for program needs, collaboration in keeping the youth of our community active through support and encouragement of our programs, and education and training opportunities for our staff and program volunteers.  Together with the 4-H Afterschool Program, the Sublette County Library, and Sublette BOCES, we partner every Friday to offer an early release afterschool program, Friday Fun Zone.  New to our partner line-ups for this program is White Pine Ski Resort, who has extended the opportunity for program participants to try their hand at skiing or snowboarding.  We have event partners like Big Brothers Big Sisters who supports our annual Pinedale Indoor Triathlon to promote mentoring in the community, as well as sponsors who make special events like our Pinedale 3on3 Basketball Tournament possible.  A multitude of individuals and businesses extend their services, expertise, and energy to our Little Wrangler Day Camp in the form of onsite presenters or field trip opportunities for camp participants.  To try to list every business partner that influences PAC operations would not be possible, but it can be said that it is because of these business partners that our programs and events are available to the community.

2015 4th Grade Class Challenge Champions

Even more mass in numbers is the second element of partners: the people.  PAC has 1,657 active memberships and these are only a fraction of our partners we serve as patrons.  We have the pleasure to serve the mom utilizing PAC childcare while attending a fitness class, the die-hard lap swimmer who never misses a day, the competitive swim teams with their dedicated coaches, and the birthday party kids ready for fun in the pool or bounce house.  We have the opportunity to greet and converse with the senior who enjoys a cup of complimentary coffee in the lobby after a morning workout, the patient parent waiting to pick-up their child from one of our multitude of programs, and the visiting spectators here to cheer on a swim meet.  We have the privilege to teach the eager swimmers during swim lessons, or the anxious and determined Little Wrangler camper who is learning to ride a bike without training wheels.  We get the treat of experiencing the friendly competition between racquetball players, bantering in good-sport between adult league participants, and the whoop of victory after a first summit on the rock wall.  We have the fun of sharing the squeals of the swimmer coming down the water slide, the mischievous grin of the daredevil about to do a flip off the diving board, and the sigh of relaxation from the post-workout relaxer in the hot tub.  It is for you that PAC is here, to create a time of smiles, laughter, and memories as you find your active way through life.  We hope that you can take the moment to look back at your experiences at PAC and know that it is because of you that we, PAC, and its staff, are here. 

So, as the Pinedale Aquatic Center prepares to celebrate our 7^th birthday, it is to you, because of you, and for you that we celebrate.  THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR PARTNER! 

Please join us Friday, February 6 - Sunday, February 8 with FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL as we celebrate all our partners!