As a 21 year member of Menlo Swim and Sports, participating in lap swimming, Masters swimming and Team Sheeper Triathlon I strongly urge the Menlo Park City Council to retain Tim Sheeper as the operator of the Burgess and future MPCC Aquatic complexes.
Tim has done a simply amazing job since he took over the Burgess pools in 2006 and subsequently operated the Belle Haven pool - neither of the other proposed operators has anywhere near his experience in managing the multitude of programs he offers to the entire Menlo Park community as well as those living outside Menlo Park. The fact that Tim was able to deftly pivot and keep the pools open during the pandemic when so many of the other local pools shut down should be lauded and considered a clear positive in his favor. His attention to safety above all while giving swimmers the option to continue to swim during those dark days was a bright spot for all of us.
The atmosphere of joy and inclusion that Tim and his wonderful staff have created have, for me personally, changed my life in ways I never could have foreseen when I joined the Masters program as a non-swimmer at the ripe old age of 50. There is a program for everyone at Burgess and, for me, Masters swimming and the triathlon team have challenged me to learn the limits of what my body can do, find true joy in movement and make lifelong friends.
After reading the proposals of the other two proposed operators I believe the choice is crystal clear - renew Tim Sheeper’s contract with the city of Menlo Park so that we may all continue to enjoy the varied, community driven programs that work so well for ALL of us.
Thank you for your consideration,
Ann Burton
