Pool School Provides Residents with Invaluable Information

The Parks and Recreation Department now offers a new class designed to help educate residents on techniques and skills for their pool and spa operations.

An important feature of the program addresses safety concerns by educating owners on a variety of ways they can provide a safe and secure environment for patrons of all ages.

The half-day sessions are scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and are held at the Senter East Building, 228 Chamberlain St. Classes will be available April 8, Sept. 18, Oct. 23 and Dec. 16. Based on demand, the October class will be presented in Spanish.

Pool owners will learn about safety barriers, entrapment concerns and pool alarms that can protect patrons at any pool or spa regardless of age. Students will learn to identify and minimize safety, physical, chemical and biological hazards.

The class also teaches basic concepts of water quality management, system maintenance, pool and spa design, and special needs of hot water spa environments. Local regulations and industry standards also will be discussed.

Participants will be taught the importance of testing, and how to perform pool calculations based on pool and equipment measurements and chemical usage. The class will provide participants with an opportunity to develop a network of resource materials and personal contacts.

Registrants are asked to provide the following information about their pool on the registration form:

• When was the pool built?
• When was the last known renovation of the pool?
• What type of filtration system does the pool have?
• What type of sanitizer is used?
• What are the estimated pool dimensions?

Enrollment in Pool School is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. To enroll, each attendee must complete a registration form and pay a $30 enrollment fee at the Parks and Recreation Department, located on the first floor of City Hall, 825 W. Irving Blvd. Payments can be made using cash, check, or Visa, MasterCard and Discover. For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at (972) 721-2501.