This week at the pool...
KMSC news for 8/11 - 8/17/2019
President's Corner
Our president's announcement Friday night caused quite a stir:
In order to manage costs as the summer winds down, we are reducing our operating hours starting August 11th:
- Sunday - 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Monday through Friday - 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday - 2 p.m. to 8 p.m."
Right behind it, an announcement that the board would be meeting unexpectedly on Monday, 7:30 p.m, poolside. So what's going on?
Here is treasurer, Jonathan Bryson's explanation, as recapped by our president in an email tonight:
"Let me start with the resolution. Our treasurer, Jonathan Bryson, first informed the Board in late July that operating funds were very tight and some reduction in hours may be needed. He also started a dialogue with our management company. His forecast now is that dues revenue will be about $115,000 versus $126,000 last year, for an $11,000 shortfall [just as our final payment to Lighthouse Pool Management was due. Lighthouse] worked well with us this week to adjust its fee and come up with the best approach affordable for the remaining operating hours.
"The primary reason we believe we are in this situation is that just prior to when we collected dues, many of our members ended up with large federal income tax bills. Many were not going to renew their memberships until our treasurer offered to work out special payment plans for them. Please note that several other county pools have been struggling after the tax change.
"Our total number of members without trial memberships is the same as 2018 at 193 but some of these members changed from the family rate to double or single memberships. Some other factors were a) our trial memberships total 29, down from 52 last year (about $8,000 less revenue); b) several members planned to travel all summer [so they went] on waivers; c) some members have not been paying all their guest fees at the desk, and d) our swim lesson revenue was lower. The last item has a silver lining, as the Joeys program was an improvement for swimming instruction.
"Finally, a camp which we have had with us for years canceled [late in the spring] since they lost the elementary school that was hosting them. We were fortunate that Jonathan and Bob Carnevale, our director of facilities, were able to arrange to lease parking to a neighborhood business as a substitute for some of the lost revenue. [Those are the trucks you see in our lot.]
"Overall, we have been economizing in every way possible this season. Jonathan says this has been the most difficult year of the eight during which he has been treasurer. The Board is responsible to make sure that we maintain the pool and are financially sound year-round. We must cover insurance, utilities, and other expenses during the off-season. Forecasting exactly what we need to finish the year is challenging. But this is the right adjustment given our current knowledge. We are already working with Lighthouse to structure a more sustainable plan for next year."
You'll no doubt be able to hear more about what's going on at the board meeting Monday.
- Cynthia Brandt Campagna, President,
and Jonathan Bryson, Treasurer
(Many thanks to member Pete Lublin for the magnificent garden in front of the poolhouse.)
'Roos Had Another Fun Summer!
Coming Up Next...
Sunday, Aug. 11th - No Yard Games or Pizza at the Pool (Jewish holiday).
Sunday, Aug. 11th - Raft Night - 5 p.m. to closing.
Monday, Aug. 12th - Pool board meeting, 7:30 p.m., poolside.
Sunday, Aug. 18th - Teen Night - CANCELLED.
Tuesday, Aug. 20th - Ladies Night - CANCELLED.
Sunday, Aug. 25th - Last Yard Games at the Pool, 3-4:30 p.m. Contact Sherri Spritzer at sherri.spritzer@verizon.net to help her give our kids a great afternoon!
Sunday, Aug. 25th - Last Pizza Night at the Pool - 5-7 p.m. or while supplies last. The pizza comes from Ben Yehuda. We're selling it by the slice for $3.50, two slices for $6, and a whole pie for $22, cash or credit poolside (a transaction fee will apply for the latter). Soft drinks can be purchased from the Snack Bar. To help with the selling poolside, please volunteer using this Signup Genius. Thank you!
Sunday, Aug. 25th - Raft Night, 5 p.m. to closing.
Sunday, Sept. 1st - Last Raft Night - 5 p.m. to closing.
The Holy Chow fundraiser for the swim team continues all month! The kosher Chinese take-out restaurant in the Kemp Mill Shopping Center is giving our 'Roos a percentage of all sales it delivers to our pool. Just place your orders through its website at https://holychow.me or call 301-649-5466 to enjoy a delicious, healthy meal poolside!
To stay on top of all our events:
Make sure @kempmillswimclubsecy@gmail.com has your email address for the weekly emails!
And join the Kemp Mill Pool group on Facebook. (The Kemp Mill Swim Club page is our Facebook marketing tool, not our pool member page.)
We also post on Pinterest, Google+, S'more and Instagram, Next Door, and as @KempMillPool on Twitter.
Or just check for our messages in the Twitter feed on the Kemp Mill Swim Club website.
About Us
Our new hours effective August 11th are:
- Sunday - 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Monday through Friday - 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday - 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Please remember to pick up all your trash!
No newsletter will be published for the week of Aug. 18-24. Watch our Facebook page for announcements!
Team photos by Alon Cohen, Alyssa Parness, and Cheryl Welch. Others this week by Mary Crowley.
Email: kempmillswimclubsecy@gmail.com
Website: http://swim.kempmill.org/
Location: 11805 Stonington Place, Silver Spring, MD, United States
Phone: 301-593-7506
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/771687456283489/
Twitter: @KempMillPool