District Leaves Some Swimmers Out in the Cold

The new Albany Aquatic Center is proving quite popular, with classes full and some swim sessions reaching capacity, but some of the pool’s longtime patrons have been upset that swim passes left over from are no longer valid.

Sally Hartley, of Albany, is one of those. The 85-year-old swims two to three times a week to help her arthritis, and is delighted the pool is . “It’s lovely, I like it very much,” she said.

But she’s disappointed that her old 10-swim pass is not being accepted. She said she thought twice about buying it before the old pool closed in 2008, but “they said, oh no, they’ll honor this card at the new pool,” she said. So she has an unused 10-swim card that cost $40.

The pool is offering one free swim (worth $6) in exchange for people’s pool passes (worth up to $40, depending on how many swims they had left). “They have raised the prices, and I would be willing to pay the difference,” Hartley said.

Swimmers are asked to surrender their passes when they take the free swim. 

Harley isn’t the only one unhappy. Two other women have written to Albany Patch with the same concern, and said they saw others complaining at the front desk.

Pool Director Amanda Garcia referred questions to , who, as Albany schools superintendent, is in charge of the pool, which is part of the school district.

Stephenson said she made the decision not to accept the old passes, in part, because of a break-in at the old pool shortly after it closed. The office was vandalized and pool punch cards were scattered all over, she said. “We have no idea if passes were stolen,” she explained, “but because of that breach of security and the length of time between (the closure and re-opening), I decided we would offer one free swim. It just seemed the way to go,” Stephenson said.

She acknowledged that the pool’s last assistant director informed her that patrons were told the passes would be valid at the new pool, but said he didn’t believe there were many outstanding passes.

“We’ve had so many patrons who understand and are happy to have one free swim,” Stephenson said. “I understand there are three to four others who are not. I just feel it was the right decision,” she said.

The superintendent said she’s not considering any change to that decision. She can be reached at 510-558-3766 or mstephenson@ausdk12.org.

Changes coming to the pool

But other changes are coming to the pool, with minor construction still underway. Hooks will be added to the men’s and women’s locker rooms for hanging clothes or bags, said pool director Garcia.

The pool closes Friday (March 2) for re-surfacing the floors. “They’re too slippery,” Garcia said. The construction company has agreed to remedy that.

The pool has filled to capacity twice during recreational swim time. Garcia said they will try to adjust the schedule to offer more recreational swim time, as well as more water fitness, also in high demand. She said recreational swim time will also be added during spring break, April 9-13.

A few of the children’s swim classes were canceled due to low demand, but the rest are filled. 

“We want to add more classes,” Garcia said.  “In the summer, we will offer twice as many programs for kids.”

Registration for the spring lessons (April 16 to June 17) starts March 5 for Albany residents, and March 19 for non-residents. Click here for registration and pool schedules.

The pool schedule may change now and then, Garcia said, adapting to community needs. High school classes will begin using the pool in early March, she said.

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If there's something in this article you think , or if something else is amiss, call editor Emilie Raguso at 510-459-8325 or email her at albany@patch.com.