Photo Credit: Farmers Branch Aquatics Center
My motto for aquatics has always been, “Proactive—not reactive.” Although the phrase applies to every facet of the industry, it unequivocally applies to maintenance. Being proactive means being well ahead of preventative maintenance before it turns into a deteriorative state. It means anticipating decline and determining external factors that accelerate corrosion. In short, it means being well ahead of the curve. Prevention is the key in maintaining a facility that accompanies the adage, “Do what you can today to prevent issues tomorrow.” The catch is that acting today required preparation yesterday, and preparation yesterday required planning six months ago. Advanced planning is a simple step most operators miss when an issue arises. What maintenance plan was in place to prepare for this issue, or what steps were taken to decrease deterioration in the first place? When water is involved, deterioration immediately sets in, which means that, in an aquatic environment, anything in the vicinity has a shorter shelf life.
Planning And Prioritizing
Imagine a new car smell; you can probably smell it just by reading this article, but it doesn’t last long. Facilities are similar in that way. They are shiny and clean, the water is crystal clear, and everything works as it should. But it doesn’t stay like that.
With a newer facility and the desire to keep it looking and functioning that way (think artificial new car smell after a good car wash), the aquatic center developed a proactive-maintenance plan, which includes everything from the pump room, equipment, pools, play structure, slides, and more.