As preparations are underway for the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo, the city of Scottsdale also has made provisions to maintain its lane in the competitive swimming pool.
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As preparations are underway for the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo, the city of Scottsdale also has made provisions to maintain its lane in the competitive swimming pool.
Scottsdale City Council consented to approve resolutions at its June 22 meeting, ensuring competitive swimmers and those of varying levels can continue using city facilities to practice locally for at least the next three years, and possible two successive one-year renewals.
Mutiyear revocable license agreements were authorized for the Scottsdale Aquatic Club, a nonprofit corporation, and Scottsdale Synchro Arizona to use space at certain city facilities for competitive youth swimming services the organizations provide.
The Scottsdale Aquatic Club had a history of meeting all requirements to be designated as a sponsored aquatic team for the city, according to a staff report detailing competitive aquatics training, competitions and maintaining marjority of Scottsdale residents participating.
Residents are taught to swim and get an introduction to the sport while the club provides advanced level competitions too. As membership grew, the club expanded to hold invitational competitions, garnering national and international attention while attracting visitors and bringing revenue to Scottsdale for the program’s competitions, the report noted.
The club will continue to use the year-round aquatic facilities, office and storage space at Cactus Aquatic and Fitness Center for designated fees and pay the city the “current-adopted partner team lap lane fees,” the report said, noting the club will give $120,000 in fees to the city each year and will conduct at least four meets.
In addition to paying staff fees for extra practice and meet times outside regular operating hours, the club will provide coaches for the city’s summer recreation swim team and train staff to operate the scoreboard for the city and the scoreboard’s timing equipment, plus reimburse the city 70% of the scoreboard’s utility costs.
The club also will provide the city at least 15% of sponsorship revenue or in-kind donations of equivalent value, the report said, noting the club cannot have exclusive daily use of the aquatic facilities. Based on reservations, the city determines which pools and lane hours can be designated.
Likewise, Scottsdale Synchro Arizona, another nonprofit, also will use space and offer services at some city aquatic facilities for competitive youth artistic swimming. The organization has partnered with the city since 1990.
An annual agreement was entered between Scottsdale Arizona Synchronized Swimming and the city for youth aquatic team activities in various city aquatic facilities, according to a city staff report, detailing the history including the group’s name change from Scottsdale Arizona Synchronized Swimming in 2004.
Although Scottsdale Synchro was unable to celebrate its 30th anniversary as planned during the COVID-19 shutdown, Diane E. Nowak, formerly with the organization, told the Scottsdale Independent the team “moved into it’s competition season.”
“The team has approximately 30 swimmers. A few members stepped away during the COVID shutdowns. None of the Scottdale team members will make the 2021 Olympics. In fact, USA only qualified for the Olympic Duet competition this year.
A few good swimmers have a chance at making the USA National team over the next three years. The USA Olympic squad (10 athletes) would be sourced by the swimmers on the USA National team. Scottsdale had a good showing at the Pan,” said Nowak, the new artistic swim coach for Arizona Synergy Artistic Swimming.
As she began scouting gyms and pool times, Nowak is anticipating rapid growth and interest in swim teams. She is also scouting talent and invited people to visit arizonasynergyas.com.
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