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