Creative Aquatic Programming
Fun for Patrons and Staff
by Randy Ralston
The goal of any aquatic facility is to serve as many patrons
as possible. In an effort to increase attendance, many park and
recreation departments and park districts are thinking of new
programming ideas to provide fun times at the public pool for
patrons and staff.
The traditional rectangular pool with black stripes is slowly
being replaced with waterpark style attractions, complete with
water slides, wave pools, animal slides, fountains and other play
elements. These types of facilities will certainly increase attendance and be an asset to any community. The idea behind these
attractions is for family interaction. Dual career family responsibilities leave little quality time to spend with children. With this
in mind, activities where families can play together become much
more valuable.
It would be nice if all park districts and park or recreation
departments had the funds to build these wondrous community
aquatic centers. At the same time, public demand for quality and
innovation in recreation is escalating while tax revenue sources
are shrinking. The fact is many communities that would like to
have new facilities cannot afford them. This is where creative
programming is utilized to offer exciting and unique recreational
opportunities for the pool patrons.
Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department has always
offered a Teen Night and Family Night at their two swimming
pools. These nights consisted mainly of open swimming, water
basketball and an occasional special event. In an effort to increase
attendance and to generate a little enthusiasm and excitement at
the pools, Theme Nights were created. They were to be offered
two nights per week at each pool, focusing on different themes.
Bloomington hosted a national softball tournament in 1992
using Theme Nights as a way to attract more people to the games.
Theme Nights were a success at the tournament and provided an
example for expanding this format into the aquatic arena. Staff
involvement was crucial to make these events a success. Brain-
storming sessions, which included managers and assistant managers from both pools, were conducted. Input was solicited on
potential themes for different nights.
Ideas were discussed that would be popular for both the
patrons and the staff. It is a fact that if lifeguards enjoy their job,
they will make the experience more pleasurable for the patron. It
was made clear to the managers that each staff member would
work hard to make the Theme Nights a success. A competition
between pools was put into effect to judge which pool staff had
more creativity and enthusiasm in preparing and administering a
Theme Night, Thus, the traveling "Aquatic Achievement Award"
was created. The award was presented at the end of the season and
proudly displayed in the lobby of the victorious pool.
Each Theme Night became more and more a competition for
excellence and creativity. One Theme Night was called "Caribbean Summer Night." Each staff member dressed in their
parrothead costumes with Jimmy Buffett/Caribbean music playing and palm trees swaying. Each person was given a ticket as
they entered the pool for the drawing of Buffett tapes and a
Caribbean video. A coconut relay and limbo contest were some
of the activities planned for the evening. The next night, "Caribbean Summer Nights" was offered at the pool on the other side of
town. It was not uncommon for each staff to steal creative ideas
from the other. This made for a healthy competition that increased the quality of these events. Keep in mind, safety was and
always will be the most important aspect of these events. Safety,
combined with a pleasant staff and a fun atmosphere, makes for
an enjoyable evening.
Theme Nights included "Walt Disney Night," where classic
Disney Cartoons were shown on a screen situated by the pool with
Illinois Parks and Recreation 18 November/December 1993
staff dressed up like Mickey, Goofy and other Disney characters.
Another popular night was "Country Music Night," where a local
country music radio station broadcasted live at the pool. Here
again, staff members that were not lifeguarding would wear
cowboy hats and western wear. During "Nostalgia Night," each
pool was transformed into a '50s drive-in or sock hop. Yes, Elvis
was sighted at the pools on these particular nights!
Programming for teenagers has always been difficult. Theme
Nights for teenagers take into account the current trends and fads
that are bombarding a young adult life. We have found that music,
contemporary movies and sports play an important part in the life
of a teenager. This is why Theme Nights for teenagers included
a "Rapper Night," with an open mike. Rap music was provided
by an anti-drug, anti-gang rap music group. It was interesting to
see local rappers come out to the pool for an opportunity to
perform their music. "Top 40 Night" was another popular night,
where a local disc jockey had a live broadcast at the pool and gave
away CDs, t-shirts and other items. A special night was offered
for teens and families to see the popular movie "Wayne's World."
The highlight of the evening was a Wayne and Garth look-alike
contest. Key staff members dressed up like Wayne and Garth, and
prizes were awarded to the patrons that most resembled the stars
of the movie. Parents have responded favorably to our attempt to
offer these types of programs which help provide positive activities for this ever-changing age group.
The pools' most popular Theme Night was "Christmas in
July." You may think offering a Christmas event in July is silly.
It is silly and fun, and most everyone likes the feelings associated
with Christmas. Parents and children enjoyed the Christmas
music, decorations, trees, lights and snow. The kids especially
enjoyed the visit from the "big guy" himself, who graciously
distributed candy and visited with everyone out on the deck.
Each week the patrons wondered what the staff would create
next. Soon the word spread that something different was happen-
ing at the pools. This type of programming was so popular that
Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department plans to offer
Theme Days at the Miller Park Beach operation. In 1993, the
attendance for Teen/Family Nights increased 59% from the
previous year. The healthy competition between staff increased
morale and creative thinking, resulting in higher quality and
productivity.
Yes, every community would like to have a waterpark with
awesome attractions. However, until your community is able to
go forward with this type of development, you may want to offer
some creative programming to attract as many residents as
possible. Recreational swimming, swim lessons, aquatic special
interest classes and special events such as Theme Nights may be
enough evidence to justify a new facility in your community.
Eighteen Theme Nights were offered in 1993, and new Theme
Nights will be offered in 1994. If you would like information on
organizing these programs, feel free to contact Randy Ralston at
(309) 823-4260.
About the Author
Randy Ralston is Community Programs and Aquatics Specialist for the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.
He also serves as Director of the Recreation Programming
Section.