Interior recommendations report: Elevate programming with support of marketing and communications

Roosevelt Community Pool Interior recommendations

Space audit conducted in July/August 2017 by Heather Peters, Communications Coordinator; Nick Boshart, Aquatics Supervisor; Sandra Bengtson, Program Supervisor

Current state: Roosevelt Community Pool has served Anoka-Hennepin Schools as the lone community pool since 1965 when other district pools were shut down and reserved only for private rental groups and high school swim teams. As a community pool, the school district serves approximately 8,000 community members annually – through a variety of programs: • • •

Swimming lessons for babies, parents, youth and adults Aquatic fitness Private party rental

• • •

American Red Cross certification training Recreational open swim Lifeguard training

Recent challenges: Roosevelt Community Pool has served Anoka-Hennepin Schools as the lone community pool since 2004 when other district pools were shut down and reserved only for private rental groups and high school swim teams. The pool and the aquatics program faces challenges in attracting staff, customers and visitors for a few reasons: 1. Competitors: Private aquatic businesses have opened or renovated pools nearby in recent years, including Foss Swim School, local YMCA clubs in Andover and Coon Rapids, and outdoor recreational pools and water parks such as Bunker Beach and the Anoka Aquatic Center. These pools are attractive to swimmers boasting newer facilities with bright, shiny equipment and facilities and marketing materials sent to homes in the area.

“Competing” area pools continue to make improvements to their facilities, and seems those pay off in the long run: • Improvements coming to Anoka County’s Bunker Beach – ABC Newspapers, Mar. 9, 2017: View story at ABCNewspapers.com.

• Infrastructure…improvements at Bunker Beach – ABC Newspapers, Sept. 27, 2014: View story at ABCNewspapers.com.

• Blaine says no to new community, senior centers – ABC Newspapers, Nov. 8, 2016: View story at ABCNewspapers.com.

• New water feature makes a splash at area YMCA – ABC Newspapers, Jul. 5, 2013: View story on ABCNewspapers.com.

• Anoka Aquatic Center remains a popular destination – ABC Newspapers, Jan. 7, 2013: View story on ABCNewspapers.com.

2. Sufficient staffing: Roosevelt Pool struggles to staff the pool sufficiently to offer enough sections of swimming lessons to meet the demands of the community, so potential customers end up going elsewhere.

3. Marketing: Efforts should be made to communicate that the pool is there, and offers a wide variety of programs for swimmers of all ages.

• Swimming lessons • Lifeguarding • Birthday parties

Possible solutions: Marketing and communications efforts, and facility updates may be able to help support the aquatics program by increasing traffic to the pool and enhancing the appearance of the space. Improving the space at Roosevelt Community Pool will elevate the experience community members and visitors have with Anoka-Hennepin Community Education and Anoka-Hennepin Schools.

Challenge Compete with private aquatic pools and facilities.

Possible solutions • Request facility assessment from buildings and grounds. First impression of the pool entrance/lobby appears dated. Locker room entrance doors are stained on the bottom, the counter top of the office is chipped, dark office cabinets give a dreary appearance. o Consider deep cleaning of locker room tile, fresh paint in the pool lobby, repair or replace doors to the locker rooms, replace/update counter tops and cabinets in the aquatics office.

Use light/bright colors with any facility enhancements. Consider neutral colors or bright colors aligned with program marketing.

• Make investments in updating signage and furniture. o Invest in a new table in the lobby to replace the broken/chipped table. Consider replacing old furniture with modern furniture matching the bench in the lobby. o Invest in sign holders rather than taping flyers on glass windows. o Remove and replace all signage referencing policies, rules, and information to align with program brand standards.

• Find our “niche” and develop a communications plan to capitalize on Roosevelt Community Pool’s assets. o Our pool isn’t in direct competition with some of these pools due to inherent factors of the pools. (Indoor vs. outdoor, size, etc.) o The WIBIT was a great investment for the pool – none of our competitors offer anything like it. o Consider coordinating unique events to differentiate our programming. § Water hockey, water volleyball, water basketball, water dodgeball tournaments § Family events (ECFE Playtime in the pool?) Collaboration between ECFE parent educators and aquatics staff. § Dive-in movie night – project movies on pool walls. Waterthemed movies, “Finding Nemo/Finding Dory, The Little Mermaid, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc.) § Birthday party packages • Staff plan/coordinate games • Staff take photos

Recruit staff members to meet goal of having sufficient staffing for the program.

•

Increase traffic to the pool for open swim, private rental, aquatic exercise and swimming lessons.

•

• Staff record gift lists § Glow swim – glow in the dark bracelets, inner tubes, beach balls, buoys, pool noodles, and black lights. § Adventures Plus field trips to Roosevelt Community Pool (cross-marketing to families in the district) Develop recruitment communications plan. o Create marketing flyers aimed at a target audience of local high school and college students. (Current students on the swim teams, ask local outdoor pools if we can leave information about school-year jobs for potential instructor/lifeguard candidates.) o Invest in online advertising to market and recruit staff. o Continue “get paid to swim!” efforts. § Winter 2017 efforts resulted in hiring X new staff members. o Add advertisements in the pool.

Develop advertising communications plan. o Create marketing flyers and distribute on a cycle via school backpacks. o Consider unique advertising strategies: § Groupon: Buy one, get one – punch card opportunities § Local restaurants: Advertise on flyers on back of bathroom stalls. § Pandora: Can select ZIP codes for ads. § Facebook: You can advertise a specific event or campaign, set a budget and timeframe. o Post messages on school websites and social media accounts before school release days and holiday breaks. o Add advertisements in the pool, on the walls. Vinyl banners installed with grommets. ($75/banner through Lifetouch.) § Get paid to swim! § Our pool is available to rent for private events and birthday parties! § Swimming is a skill you can use for life. We offer lessons for all strengths and abilities. § Exercise! The water provides a gentle yet powerful opportunity for people of all ages. Ask us about lap swim and aqua aerobics.

Phase one: Update signage Updating signage in the pool is a quick, easy and efficient way to update and modernize the look and feel of the facility. All signage would have similar look and feel, considered to be a marketing/advertising campaign for the pool.

Current sign Updated sign recommendation No sign holder, flyers scotch taped to • Minimize number of flyers on display in this area, and the large windows at the main consider window mounted sign holders. There are entrance. four windows, 46” wide x 48” high to utilize for these.

Flyers can be moved in and out of these. o 11 x 17” size o 11” x 14” size o 8.5” x 11” size • No brochure racks in the lobby.

• Consider investing in a brochure rack.

Flyers/brochures are currently sitting o Wall mounted option. Multi-size pockets allow on a table, somewhat broken.

Community Schools catalogs to be on display, as well as brochures for the aquatics program and other community education programs.

• Consider adding small brochure holders to the table currently in the lobby. o For catalogs. o For 5.5” x 8.5” brochures.

Private lessons sign.

Private lessons sign -> Make as a window cling.

Current size: 23” wide x 31” high Recommended size: Same?

Current verbiage: Private lessons $22/30 minute lesson • Minimum of 4 lessons must be scheduled.

• Scheduled based on your availability!

• Great for students who need ADDITIONAL STROKE WORK or who need to work at a DIFFERENT PACE than traditional lessons provide.

What to do?

• Fill out a request form • Provide payment

Recommended updated verbiage: Private swimming lessons offered here!

• • •

Schedule around your availability.

Great for students who need additional stroke work or who need to work at a different pace.

(A minimum of four lessons must be scheduled.)

Visit www.ahschools.us/swim to learn more and register.

•

Lessons will be planned and a teacher scheduled based on your availability.

Find us on the web!

Ahschools.ce or discovercommunityed.com, No smoking signs.

8.5” x 11”

Remove – do not create

Parent/Child Waiting Area sign.

8.5” x 11”

Remove – do not create

Students Wait here sign.

8.5” x 11”

Remove – do not create

Current verbiage: Students: Wait HERE until your teacher comes to get you.

Anoka-Hennepin Aquatics Policies sign Anoka-Hennepin Aquatics Policies 1. Children six and under must be accompanied by an adult in the water and within reach of the child(ren).

2. All patrons are required to wear swimwear.

3. Full showers are required.

4. Diving is allowed only in designated areas.

5. Please dive off the board, jumping is not allowed.

6. Only patrons in swimwear are allowed on the deck.

7. Inflatables and PFD’s are not allowed in the pool except during designated times.

Masks which cover the nose are not allowed.

8. Please walk on the deck.

9. Lap swimming is allowed in designated lanes.

Consider hanging eye level?

Re-create with new branding.

10. Please do not hang on the lane lines.

11. Unsafe play is not allowed.

12. Food and drink are allowed in designated areas only.

13. Any person who violates a pool rule or who poses a threat of injury to themselves or to others may be dismissed by the pool staff.

14. The pool is not responsible for lost or stolen articles. Patrons of all ages should secure their valuables or leave them home.

Acrylic sign, mounted underneath admission/payment/check-in window

Open swim and rentals sign.

Remove – do not create

Current verbiage: Open Swim and Rentals.

All children 6 and younger must have an adult within arms reach.

Laminated sign under admission/payment/check-in window Proper swim wear sign.

Current verbiage: Proper swim wear required! No shorts, cut-offs, or Tee shirts.

Swim diapers required for children not yet potty trained.

STAFF ONLY sign.

Currently neon green paper duct taped to wall, handwritten with sharpie marker.

Lap lanes sign.

Diagram, laminated and hand-drawn with sharpie markers.

Re-create with new branding.

Check in with district facilities; would they want to create/provide a plaque the same as all other building doors?

Remove – do not create

Sandwich board sign.

Current verbiage: Jumping & Diving Lane Only.

No Lap Swimming.

Handwritten on sandwich board.

Wibit rules sign.

Current verbiage: WIBIT rules: Required: 7 years and up AND strong swimmer.

Lifeguard will tell you when to go If you fall off: Swim to nearest side – DO NOT climb back on or swim under *Handles are made of strong plastic: Try to avoid sliding body over handles to avoid injury.

Re-create with new branding.

• Portable versions needed – sandwich board style • Permanent versions needed – mounted to wall

Re-create with new branding.

• Portable versions needed – sandwich board style • Permanent versions needed – mounted to wall New verbiage: WIBIT rules: Required: 7 years and up and pass swim test.

Lifeguard will tell you when to go If you fall off: Swim to nearest side – DO NOT climb back on or swim under *Handles are made of strong plastic: Try to avoid sliding body over handles to avoid injury.

Handwritten with black sharpie marker on plastic board duct taped to caution, wet floor sandwich board.

WIBIT instructions sign.

Remove – do not create

Current verbiage: WIBIT! Climb out here.

Want to go again?

Line up at the other side of pool.

Tired? Rest before you try again.

Handwritten on plastic board, taped to caution wet floors sandwich board.

Diving board rules sign.

Current verbiage: DIVING BOARD RULES 1. One person on board.

Re-create with new branding.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

One bounce.

Jump or dive straight ahead. *No back flips allowed.

Exit pool at nearest side.

Able to jump in and swim to side.

7. Wait for person ahead of you to reach the side.

Printed and laminated. Duct taped to wall.

Bleacher policy sign.

8.5”X 11” Laminated and duct taped to wall.

Current verbiage: Please no glass containers of any kind: glass, ceramic, etc. If glass were to break, we would be required to drain the entire pool.

Re-create with new branding.

New verbiage: Thank you for supporting your child’s life skill of swimming.

If you have a snack or beverage, please clean your area before you leave.

Kids t-shirt sign.

For the safety of our swimmers: 1. Please remain in the bleacher area. (No street shoes on deck.)

2. Please do not bring glass or ceramic containers of any kind. If the glass were to break, we would be required to drain the entire pool for safety precautions.

3. If you have a snack or beverage, please clean your area before you leave.

Remove – do not create

Current verbiage: Kids T-shirt $13.50 2T 3T 4T Female swimming suits sign.

Remove – do not create

Current verbiage: Female swimming suites Youth and adult sizes. $40 Swim Diaper sign.

Re-create with new branding.

Please remain in the bleacher area.

(No street shoes on the deck.)

Current verbiage: Reusable swim diaper

$10 Swim Cap sign.

Re-create with new branding.

Current verbiage: Swim Cap $3 Swim Diaper sign.

Re-create with new branding.

Current verbiage: Swim diaper $1 Goggles sign.

Re-create with new branding.

Current verbiage: Goggles $8 Locker room sign.

11” X 17” Current verbiage: Change in correct-gender locker room: Ages 5 and older.

Re-create with new branding.

New verbiage TBD by Paul Cady.

Need assistance?

Our staff is happy to assist – let us know. J Dryer sign.

8.5”X 11” Laminated and duct taped to wall.

Current verbiage: Please be careful!

Dryers HOT with overuse.

Re-create with help of Buildings and Grounds.

Locker room sign.

8.5”X 11” Laminated and duct taped to wall.

Remove – do not create

Current verbiage: Please do NOT use toilet stalls as dressing rooms. Thank you.

Locker room sign.

8.5”X 11” Laminated and duct taped to wall.

Re-create with new branding. Possibly help from Buildings and Grounds.

New verbiage: No cell phones in locker rooms.

Current verbiage: No smoking / no cell phones in locker rooms.

Replace step stool in front of drinking fountain in main entry way area

Options from Staples: • Option 1, metal and black • Option 2, metal and black • Option 3, plastic and black • Option 4, two-pack (Is more than one needed?)

Quotes based on recommendations: General supplies/items - Staples Acrylic individual flyer/sign holder for vestibule Wall mounted flyer/catalog holder, eight slots Table top, tiered flyer/catalog holder Locker room/rest room sign holders

Qty. 6-8 1 1-2 4-8

Price $58-87 $59 $60-70 $34-68

Total

Max.

$284

Signage quotes, option 1: Do All Printing Extra small PVC plastic signs (8.5” x 11” - $4.25/each) Small PVC plastic signs (12” x 18” - $8.25/each) Medium PVC plastic signs (18” x 24” - $16.50/each) Large PVC plastic signs (24” x 36” - $33.00/each) Plastic core boards for portable pool deck signage Total

8-10 8-10 4-5 4-5 4 Max.

$34-$42.50 $66-$82.50 $66-$82.50 $132-$165 $372.50

Signage quotes, option 2: – ASI signage innovations Extra small sign aluminum w/marine-grade ink (8.5” x 11” - $27.50/each) Small sign aluminum panel w/marine-grade ink (12” x 18” - $48.50/each) Medium sign aluminum panel w/marine-grade ink (18” x 24” - $82.50/each) Large sign aluminum panel w/marine-grade ink (24” x 36” - $148.50/each) Portable pool deck signage – double-sided pool sock signs ($380/each) Total

8-10 8-10 4-5 4-5 2 Max.

Additional signage quotes, in-house Small laminated signs for store items

5

$220-275 $388-$485.00 $330-$412 $594-$742.50 $760 $2,674.50

Phase two: Create new/additional signage, purchase tools for the facility Updating signage in the pool is a quick, easy and efficient way to update and modernize the look and feel of the facility. All signage would have similar look and feel, considered to be a marketing/advertising campaign for the pool.

Ideas to consider adding:

• • • • • •

Sign outside of the pool area, facing the parking lot and Main Street.

Large window clings/screens with photo-like signs of swimmers.

New pennant flag banners, these were deteriorating due to humidity.

Designated birthday party space, purchase tables/chairs.

Purchase new white board for lobby area, current one is stained with old writing.

Purchase brochure/flyer display racks for vestibule, lobby; either free-standing or wall/window-mounted.

Progress timeline Community Education is consulting with aquatics signage vendors, the print shop, and buildings and grounds to determine steps for giving Roosevelt Community Pool a facelift.

August – October 2017: Heather Peters, Communications Coordinator, visited the pool to review signage/marketing needs with pool supervisor, Nick Boshart. Detailed photos and notes taken and compiled in this report.

November 2017: Heather Peters met with Community Schools supervisor, Sandra Bengtson; and pool supervisor, Nick Boshart; to review and discuss marketing suggestions.

December 2017 – January 2018: Print shop consulted on project. Materials reviewed, quotes gathered.

February 2018: Heather Peters, Sandra Bengtson, Nick Boshart met with Mark _____ (standing in for Tom Karp due to illness) and Dave Goder to address installation of new signage, and to assess additional facility needs outside of the communications/ marketing scope. Items reviewed included:

• Custodial attention: Community Schools pays a portion of the Roosevelt Middle School custodian time. Concerns in regard to how much time and attention is given to the pool. Locker rooms not up to cleanliness standards; white film build-up on pool deck, locker room tile, doors.

• Chemical/moisture causing deterioration: White film and build-up on brick outside the pool, visible from parking lot; lockers in locker room rusted out; bathroom stall wastebaskets and feminine hygiene product dispenser rusted out; paint on ceiling of locker room peeling.

• Updates needed for equipment in space: Old television in waiting area broken and should be removed; stool in waiting room a hazard, needs to be replaced; plastic covers over fluorescent lighting, ceiling tiles in waiting room broken/ discolored in areas; main door to pool deck (for parents/guardians watching swim lessons) bent/broken; door to staff/equipment room bent/broken; lock on storage bench on pool deck broken; dryers in locker rooms posing burn hazards.

• Future challenges: What is behind the current signs – will that need to be replaced/fixed when old signs are removed, will holes from current signs be filled after removal of those? Previous holes in concrete/block walls or broken/empty spots in tile were not filled in the locker room.

April 2018: Nick Boshart, aquatics supervisor; and Heather Peters, Communications Coordinator; escorted ASI signage innovations sales representative, Dan Shamp, and Print Shop manager, Ron Hallstrom; through the Roosevelt Community Pool lobby, locker rooms, restrooms and the pool space to make a final assessment of immediate signage needs.

The following additional recommendations were made to ensure ADA compliance and alignment with Minnesota state statutes for public pools: •

Every room in the space should include braille to ensure ADA compliance. This would include: o o o o

•

Additional recommendations were made to align with Minnesota state statute for public pools: o o o o o o

•

Two-three* “Men’s” signs in front of all entrances of men’s restrooms/locker rooms.

Two-three* “Women’s” signs in front of all entrances of men’s restrooms/locker rooms.

One “Pool” sign in front of the entrance to the pool.

Four-Six “Staff only” signs in front of equipment rooms on pool deck, staff locker rooms, and on benches housing aquatic equipment on the pool deck.

“Employees must wash hands before returning to work” signs in sink area of each locker room.

(Two needed.)

“Emergency exit only” signs should be placed on any doors providing exits from the building. (____ needed.)

“For emergency use only” signs must be placed near all life-saving equipment, including backer boards, flotation devices. (Six needed.)

“AED” sign must be placed over AED equipment. (One needed.)

Emergency plan signs, updated by all emergency exits and telephone.

Hang backer boards on the wall.

Additional recommendations were made to eliminate liability in the space: o o

“Lock up all valuable items. Staff is not responsible for lost/stolen items.” One-two should be posted in each locker room (Two-four needed.)

Convert two lobby restrooms to family changing rooms. Michelle Trelstad, director of community education; and Heather Peters, communications coordinator; are working through district legal counsel and buildings/grounds to determine how to proceed.

Currently, neither can be locked from inside the common area of the restroom, only the stall doors can be locked.

Determining whether or not we can change the door handle configuration to be locked from the inside, and then make the current men's restroom a "family changing room," and call the women's restroom a "family restroom” to accommodate families with older children that are not comfortable with them going into a locker room unaccompanied by a parent/guardian. § One is currently a men's restroom, with a toilet inside one stall, and a urinal and sink in the main area. § One is currently a women's restroom, with a toilet inside one stall, and a sink in the main common area.

•

Additional general recommendations to elevate the space/eliminate confusion: o o o o

Replace torn pool flags.

Replace “tickets” sign in lobby with “check-in” sign.

Create “menu” of items for sale, to be posted in office window vs. hanging items from the window.

Replace two stained white boards on stands with wheels.

Michelle Trelstad, director of community education, received confirmation from buildings and grounds that the following work can be completed when the pool is closed for annual maintenance, May 26-June 9: o o o o o o

Removal of television in lobby of pool Temperature adjustments to the dryers in the locker rooms to eliminate burn risks Repair of broken/discolored ceiling tiles in the lobby of pool Repair of fluorescent lighting covers in the lobby of pool Evaluation of door to the staff/equipment room, and the door to the pool from the lobby these are stuck, can they be repaired?

Possible fresh paint in lobby area - to walls and metal trim

Dan Shamp, from ASI signage innovations, will revise quotes by Apr. 30 based on the walk-thru to determine a final quote. Designs should be finalized the first week of May to ensure delivery and installation between May 26-June 9.