I’m baffled by the recently published assertions made by a few Council members and some disgruntled residents claiming severely limited access to Burgess Pool. They imply that another contractor could somehow run the facility better than Team Sheeper.
Recognize how well Sheeper handled “the worst of times.” Tim and his team did an extraordinary job of providing outstanding community service during the Covid lockdown. They strictly upheld all public health guidelines and offered the best lap lane access on the peninsula. Some swimmers regularly drove from Mountain View, Pacifica, and Burlingame to Burgess for 35 minute “slots.” No city-managed facility, and few private ones, came anywhere close.
Since the re-opening, Tim has continued to run the pool spectacularly well — even in the face of this Spring’s debilitating pump breakdown. It all but wiped out private lessons and other revenue-generating programming for the team.
As an almost daily user of Burgess pool, as someone who’s participated in various aquatic classes and clinics over the past 10 years, and as a parent whose child learned to swim thanks to Sheeper’s instructors, I can confidently say that Tim and his staff are the most customer service oriented people I’ve experienced at a public – or even at a private – aquatic facility. And the pools are always pristine.
Sure, during peak afternoon and early evening hours, when the swim teams practice, lane congestion exists. But at other times, when I’ve seen relatively more retirees or physically challenged residents using the pool, there’s far more availability.
Furthermore, as a businessperson, I strongly agree with Tim that a one year contract extension is no way to strategically approach the rebuilding and enhancing of Burgess facilities and programming, especially on the heels of all the Covid restrictions. Without a multi-year contract with the city, no manager – even this one, who’s miraculously retained key personnel during these tumultuous years – could be expected to recruit, train, and develop a dedicated staff and execute on a business plan.
“Shut the pool down”? What a short-sighted and detrimental community mental health decision that would be. Dive deep, Council members! Offer Team Sheeper a multi-year contract, enabling them to rebuild and confidently move forward with plans to continue serving the local swimming community.
Claudia M
