By Leeann Tanner - Staff Writer
The Morehead City Pool has undergone some big changes this year to improve safety.
“We have a new security system in,” pool manager Mike Kash said. “We now have cameras stationed throughout the pool, the lobby, and the concession area.”
The cameras allow administrators to observe the pool not only from their offices inside, but also from home, 24 hours a day every day.
“If someone calls and says there is an issue we can log on at home and check it right away without coming down here,” Kash said. “It also gives us recorded video from before so we can go back and review an incident or see what happened. In the past we didn’t have that.”
The cameras aren’t very visible, so most people don’t even notice they have been installed.
There is also a new sheltered area this season. The materials were donated by Lowe’s, and have given patrons a place to get out of the sun.
“One of the big problems with coming to the pool was the lack of shade,” Kash said. “There was nowhere to get away from the sun. Now, people who come with their kids have the opportunity to get out of the sun and it allows the kids to play in the pool longer.”
The pool is open to the public each day at noon, but kids are in the water at 10 a.m. almost daily. The pool lifeguards offer private swim lessons each morning.
With 200-300 patrons each weekday and about 100 on the weekends, some people worry about the cleanliness of the water. Kash explained that Morehead’s pool boasts one of the most efficient systems available, a diatomaceous earth filtration system. A computer monitors the levels in the water, and automatically pumps in the appropriate chemicals when needed.
“We manually test it five times a day to make sure the computer is running properly,” Kash said. “If you look at the water, it is clear and sparkling and beautiful. It is much cleaner than any of the streams and lakes in the area.”
The pool has 15 lifeguards on duty each day that rotate duties every 15 minutes to make sure everyone is safe at the pool.
“Our guards are probably the best certified staff that we have had in several years,” Parks and Recreation Director Dave Morris said. “Each has a Red Cross certification in life guard safety and first aid safety and training. They are all professional rescuers. We have three guards who are water safety instructor certified, which enables them to give swim lessons and keep the lifeguards updated.”
The staff constantly updates the emergency action plan to try and meet the needs of the pool and the patrons.
“Each lifeguard knows what they are supposed to do depending on what position they are in, and the type of incident that might occur,” Morris said. “We have weekly refreshers to make sure the staff is ready for anything.”
Despite all the preparation, not all accidents can be prevented. The staff, however, is doing everything they can to prepare.
“I am very proud of our aquatic staff,” Morris said. “They have gone out of their way to get more certification and become more qualified.”
The pool undergoes changes each year to keep the 40+ year-old facility in top shape. Although most children come to the pool with an adult, some (who are middle school age and older) often come without adults, but that isn’t a problem with Kash on duty.
“What has really helped the overall operation is having a Rowan County schoolteacher who is with these kids throughout the year here,” Morris said. “Mike knows these kids and the parents feel much more comfortable knowing that there is an adult figure here. Our numbers have almost quadrupled in the last 10 years.”
Kash leads a staff of 15 guards and three concessions workers.
“On busy days there is at least six staff members watching the water at all times,” Kash said. “There is no time to get complacent and no time to get hypnotic with the water. The sun is an issue for the guards as well, so everyone is out of the water every hour for 10 minutes.”
On weekdays when the city’s day camp is also at the pool, there are 15 additional camp counselors with their eyes on the kids as well.
“I really think this pool is just about as safe as it can be,” Morris said. “We can’t prevent every accident, but if they do happen, everyone knows exactly how to handle themselves.”
The city pool is open from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
