The YMCA Board of Directors is pleased to report they have identified a clear direction for the repair work to the YMCA’s Huber swimming pool.  A thorough evaluation of the pool’s damages, by the Wallover Pool Architectural firm, concerning the February 28^th catastrophic failure of the pool’s cast iron deck drainage and PVC filtration piping systems identified the need to repair the pool’s foundation first.  This repair work will stabilize the pool’s floor and side walls.  This work was completed April 11^th and is currently in an eight day curing process.

The YMCA was also pleased to learn, from the Wallover Architects, the integrity of the Huber pool tank is still structurally rock-solid and does not have decalcification or spider cracking on the outer walls of the tank.  However, there were concerns regarding the future reliability of the pool’s main drainage system, which includes the three main drains, the associated cast iron pool encased piping and main drain value.

After evaluating four possible solutions to repair the Huber pool, the YMCA Board of Directors decided upon completely revitalizing the Huber pool for another 30 years of service for the YMCA’s membership and the community of Chambersburg.  This repair project will include the installation of 2 new Virginia Graeme Baker certified main drain boxes, the associated new exposed main drain lines and a new main drain valve.  The one-meter diving board area of the pool will also be deepened with the lowering of the pool’s floor in the diving area along with raising the pool’s current gutter system to the existing pool deck level, which in effect will provide the Huber pool with an additional 12 inches of water depth.  A new pool filtration system with faster “pool turn over time” will also be required due to the increase in pool water volume.

Unfortunately, these improvements will impact the YMCA’s current swimming schedule, since these solutions require a significant amount of time and YMCA funds to complete.  However, these upgrades to the Huber Pool’s appearance, filtration system and functionality for future generations’ use require the YMCA to accomplish these upgrades at this time.

During the pool repair work, entering and exiting the Walker Pool will be redirected on a periodic basis.  More information on this matter will be available once the pool contractors have finalized their work schedules for this repair work.  Dust and dirt will be controlled as best as possible; however, with all the concrete cutting it will be impossible to eliminate this debris all together.  In general, no one will be permitted on the Huber pool deck until all this work is finished.

The YMCA Board of Directors and YMCA Staff appreciate your patience and understanding, while these improvements are made.  Our current goal is to be fully operational with the Huber Pool by September 1, 2011.

Over the Christmas break, the Chambersburg YMCA drained our Walker Lap Pool to install a new Prozone Ozone Water Purification System. 

With this new system, harmful bacteria and algae are killed up to 3,000 times faster, while the amount of chlorine used in the pool is reduced by almost 90%.  In a regular pool run on chlorine, chemical reactions unrelated to disinfection create combined chlorines.  Combined chlorines are the major cause of eye irritation, odor, and other side effects of using chlorine.  By reducing the amount of chlorine used in the pool water, the new ozonator keeps the pool clear, odor free, and helps to  reduce skin and eye irritation caused by normal pool chemicals.

The addition of this system to our pool area will assist in keeping our maintenance costs down by using less chlorine, which can be corrosive to the pool.

Here are some useful facts to be mentioned when speaking of using ozone to clean pool water*:

• Ozone destroys viruses and bacteria such as e-coli and legionaries, and others.
• Ozone is over one thousand times faster acting than chlorine at oxidizing and destroying bather load in a swimming pool. This drastically reduces chlorine requirements.
• Decreased chemical usage – significant savings considering the cost of chlorine
• Better water clarity
• Reduction or total elimination of chloramines
• Reduction or total elimination of odors-particularly valuable in indoor pool environments
• Smoother water feel
• No red itching eyes normally caused by chloramines
• Very effective at destroying viruses and organisms
• pH neutral

We hope that you will come and take advantage of our newly filled and purified lap pool this winter.

For more information on the Prozone Ozone Water Purification System, please visit: http://www.prozoneint.com/

*Facts provided by http://blog.lifefacilities.com/swimming-pool-ozone-generators/

The Chambersburg YMCA has a Masters swimming training group. The group of adult swimmers trains together in the Huber pool at the YMCA from 6:00 – 7:15 AM Monday, Wednesday and Friday. There are multiple ability levels ranging from new fitness swimmers to former competitive swimmers and tri-athletes.

“It’s a great program for both members and non-members in the Chambersburg community who enjoy swimming laps and training in the pool” said Aquatic Director and Coach, Chris Chance. The program, now in its second year is looking to grow and include new members eager for the physical and social benefits of an adult swim team where competition is optional. “It’s a great program, I’ve become much more fit and built some new relationships at the same time” said former YMCA Charger swimmer turned masters swimmer and Coach Adam Leeper.

Adult swim teams are active in every state and there’s even a YMCA Masters National Championships in Fort Lauderdale every spring. The team sent 2 swimmers Kate Miller and Anthony Addlesberger down to represent the Chambersburg YMCA in Florida during 2008. To learn more about the YMCA and there adult swim team contact Coach Chance at the YMCA.

When the students return to school for the 2009 – 2010 school year, many new member friendly improvements to the swimming pool schedules will occur.  Swimming lessons for preschool and youth will have early evening family friendly class times, while master swimmers will have their own workout times with a dedicated coach.  Lap swimmers will be able to swim right after work from 5:15 to 6 pm, without competing for lane space with other YMCA programs.  The YMCA’s Swim Team will have extended practice time and more individual attention too.  The YMCA’s Aquatic staff hopes everyone enjoys their expanded use of the YMCA’s aquatic facilities.

Armed Services YMCA and Department of Defense partnership gives military families access to youth development, family strengthening, and health and well-being programs

 As part of the new Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) and Department of Defense (DoD) Outreach Initiative, the Chambersburg Memorial YMCA is providing military families with access to youth development, family strengthening, and health and well-being programs.  Membership fees for these families are underwritten by the DoD and administered through Military OneSource, an information and referral service for military families.

“The Chambersburg Memorial YMCA is happy to help meet the critical needs facing families of deployed military service members,” said Jen Gossert, Director of Family Services, Chambersburg Memorial YMCA.  “Families are the most affected when a loved one gets deployed, so we are deeply committed to providing them with the support they need.”

The ASYMCA-DoD Outreach Initiative responds to a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a plan to support military family readiness and to ensure that military family readiness programs and activities are available to all deployed National Guard and Reserve families, and some active duty families in certain special categories. 

Military families participating in the initiative are eligible for YMCA memberships based on participation requirements. Those eligible to participate in the new initiative include:

All interested families of joint deployed National Guard and Reserves of all military branches;
Active Duty Independent Duty station personnel and their families; and
Relocated spouses and family members of deployed Active Duty personnel.
 

“The YMCA has a long history of supporting military service members and their families – since the Civil War – so it was natural for us to join this initiative,” said Gossert. “During this time of conflict, it is more important than ever that we continue providing services and support to these families in the absence of a deployed spouse.” These services are beneficial to military families, as evidenced by the responses of members of the program.

 “Having the benefits of the YMCA at the military families’ disposal is a God-send.” said Sasha Coleman Arnett, whose husband Jeremy is currently serving in Iraq. Arnett is caring for their young daughter, London, while her husband is deployed.  “Since we do not have any family even remotely close to Chambersburg, I was a bit concerned as to how I would be able to get some “me time” and also have London get used to different atmospheres and people.  Using the Y’s child care during my workouts has been wonderful. The staff is always so nice, and I never worry about leaving her there.  She enjoys her time with the staff and children, and I enjoy my time to better me as a person, and in turn, as a mom.”

For more information about the ASYMCA-DoD Outreach Initiative, please visit www.asymca.org. or www.ymca.net.

The YMCA’s competitive swim team has been in existence since 1956. Over the years the team has provided a steady diet of structure, exercise and life lessons to hundreds if not thousands of local boys and girls. The sport of swimming is unique in that young athletes compete in an individual sport in a team environment. There are many physical, social and psychological benefits to participating in competitive swimming. At the Chambersburg YMCA swimmers ages 5 – 18 who are already members of the Y can register as  members of the Charger Swim Team. The new season begins on 9/15/08. Please contact Coach Chance at extension 105 for further information.

The Many Benefits of Joining a Competitive Swim Team

Physical Development:

Swimming provides aerobic endurance and is the most beneficial form of cardiovascular exercise. It is the best sport for overall muscular development. It enhances natural flexibility, develops coordination, and it is the most injury free sport for children. It is also the only lifetime sport you can carry into old age.

Mental Development:

Learning proper technique engages the thinking process as new skills are learned. Swimmers must develop and plan movement sequences. They learn that greater progress results from using their creative talents and exploring new ideas. Structured programs of physical activity develop a stronger self-image. The commitment of time required for competitive swimming teaches time management skills. Swim team members learn about self-discipline and sportsmanship. Swimmers learn that excellence can be continually sought. Charger swimmers are taught respect, responsibility, caring and honesty.

Emotional Development:

The nature of the sport dictates that swimming is a self-achievement activity: the responsibility of the performance ultimately lies with the individual in any given lane in a race. That individual, over time, will have many experiences positive and negative, encouraging and discouraging. Learning how to handle the success and failure and self-achieving responsibility develops self-confidence. Through perseverance,
swimmers learn courage, dedication, commitment and how to overcome adversity. Swimmers learn to handle pressure and stress, sometimes self-imposed, sometimes by others. Through experiences in swimming, swimmers learn attitudes and habit that will remain with them throughout their lives. Most swimmers learn to be “can do” people.