COMMUNITY SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

TO:

Mayor and Members of Council

 

 

 

 

FROM:

Barbara M. Roth, Director, Recreation and Culture Services

 

 

 

 

PREPARED BY:

Lori Wells, Manager, Programs

 

 

 

 

DATE OF MEETING:

07-Jun-2004

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:

Lifesaving Society New Swim Program

 

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “Lifesaving Society New Swim Program” be received as information.

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to inform Council that the Aquatics division of Recreation Services will be changing the swim lesson program delivery from Red Cross Aquaquest to Lifesaving Society Swim Program effective January 2005.

 

BACKGROUND:

The Lifesaving Society is known as the Canadian Lifeguarding Experts.  Over the years they have heard from their affiliates that they should research and develop a learn-to-swim program. Affiliates were surveyed and the feedback was overwhelming with a strong message: “We want a low cost, easily convertible program that focuses on swimming.”  The Society researched other learn-to-swim programs and developed the new ‘Swim for Life’ program that focuses on sound swimming strokes and skill development. 

 

The ‘Swim for Life’ program will be officially launched in July 2004. The program was developed by affiliate members for the affiliates, with extensive consultation and review by parents, instructors, trainers, programmers, medical professionals and educators.  Town of Markham Aquatic Coordinators Janice Carroll and Sheri Krauss were involved in reviewing and developing the new program.  The program was piloted at designated pools in the City of Mississauga, Town of Richmond Hill and the Town of Stouffville.  The pilot of transitioning from the Red Cross Aquaquest to the Lifesaving Society swim program has been extremely successful and has been well received by the customers of the aforementioned municipalities.

 

 

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

There is a variety of reasons to change from the Red Cross Aquaquest program to the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Program.

 

Swim for Life Program (new)

Aquaquest Program (current)

·        Program developed by affiliates, trainers and instructors

·        Town staff have been involved in program development

·     Town of Markham staff was involved in focus groups but not at the program development level

·        Seamless program as it continues from Parent and Tot through to Leadership level (such as Bronze Medallion and NLS)

·     Program ends at Aquaquest 12 level – doesn’t have a lifeguard course – participants need to transfer to Life Saving Society program to continue to Leadership level.  We are currently not retaining our participants throughout the 12 levels.

·        Program content focuses on stroke and skill development

·     Program main focus is water safety

·        Program provides flexibility – affiliates can choose program modules based on need

·     The current preschool and adult programs do not meet the needs of the Town of Markham – so we have developed our own Preschool and Adult levels

·        One-stop shopping – eliminate the need to deal with both agencies for their programs

·     Have to work with both Red Cross and Lifesaving Society in order to offer courses through to Leadership level

·        Better customer service - direct manager for a program

·     Poor customer service from administration as no one is linked to an account – just whomever answers the telephone

·        Strong leadership training – streamlined process for training with improved consistency in standards.  Time and cost to candidate is reasonable and will increase number of qualified staff.

·     Candidates need to take two leadership programs (Red Cross and Lifesaving) to be qualified to work for the Town of Markham.  Time and cost is a barrier for participants to take the program, which results in a smaller pool of candidates to pull staff from.

·        Water Smart message – “Basic swimming ability is a fundamental requirement in any meaningful attempt to eliminate drowning in Canada” is embedded in the skills of the swim program. 

·        Active delivery of water smart message

·     Messages are taught separately from practice – skill is not imbedded in the program.  For example, they teach on the pool deck to “swim with a buddy” but then send participants into the water alone.

·     Water Safety done on deck results in parent complaints

 

The change will have minimal impact on the existing customer.  A conversion chart will direct the customer to the new levels (see Appendix A).  Educating the customer on the new program will begin in the summer.  Informing and making the public aware of the transition from Red Cross Aquaquest to the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program is critical; therefore, staff will implement the following public education program:

 

·        Summer and Fall 2004 - Flyers will be prepared and distributed to the participants in the lesson program

·        Information page in the Fall 2004 guide

·        Posters in the facilities announcing the new program

·        Fall 2004 – present and train Contact Centre and Customer Service Representatives on the new program

·        Fall 2004 – all participants in the lesson program will receive in a written format what level they should register for in the new Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program.

 

There will be no change to the duration of programs, length of classes, or instructor/participant ratios.

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

There will be no impact on the operating budget as the cost to deliver the swim lesson program will not change.

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix A – Conversion Chart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barbara M. Roth, R.D.M.R.

Director, Recreation and Culture Services

 

Jim Sales

Commissioner of Community and Fire Services

 

 

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