Residential Pool Programs: A Little Bit of Revenue…A Lot of Liability
In an effort to increase revenue and to expand programming, some YMCAs make the decision to provide aquatics services for residential homeowners—most commonly swim lessons and lifeguard services. Although these programs can bring in a few dollars and can have some benefit for the YMCA and the homeowner, the added risk and liability the YMCA incurs far outweighs the benefits.
And how many dollars can the programs really bring in? After we add the cost of the swim instructor, the lifeguard, time and miles for transportation, set-up and supervision time for the aquatics director, the increase in revenue is minimal at best. And in return for the minimal revenue increase, the YMCA exposes itself to greatly increased risk.
Whenever a YMCA runs a program in a residential pool, there is simply too much risk that cannot be controlled. First and foremost of course is the risk of drowning. It is extremely difficult in a backyard pool to ensure that the same safety practices are in place as exist at the YMCA, including the use of lifeguards and emergency equipment such as backboards and AEDs. In addition to the risk of drowning and water-related injuries in a home pool, other increased risks include transportation for employees and the increased risk of sexual abuse due to the possibility of one-on-one time between staff and children.
With backyard swim lesson programs the increased risk may be balanced against the benefits of providing swim lesson services to those who otherwise may not be able to get them. In the case of providing off-site lifeguard services, those benefits don’t exist. “Rent-a-Guard” or similar lifeguard service programs are a simple exchange—minimum revenue for maximum risk. Whether the YMCA actively rents lifeguards or the lifeguards use the YMCA name to promote their own services, the YMCA may incur liability for a drowning in a pool over which it had no active control.
The solution: think about other ways to increase revenue through aquatics at the YMCA. There you can keep costs and risk low and under your supervision. Please comment and share your ideas: new programs, new marketing plans, and new ways to use the limited pool space you have to bring swimmers to the YMCA pool—instead of incurring the risks of bringing the YMCA to a backyard pool. Thanks!