Big
League Opportunity with Aquatics Programming and Community Experts
by
Mark Rauterkus, 412-481-2497,
TRA's
new General Manager & Advocate for Sports
Executive
Summary:
This
paper explores some of the recreation, instructional and competitive
programs offered within the city. Some of the programs are hosted by
the city itself. The Aquatics Division has its mission, and another
recreation department, more instructional and competitive, is the Big
Leage programs. Other programs are hosted by non-city agencies that
exist within Pittsburgh, such as with the Three Rivers Aquatics
competitive swim team, (TRA).
Finally,
Pittsburgh Pubic Schools provides another slew of opportunities for
enhanced swimming programs. Those facilities can't be overlooked
either, if we really want what is best for our kids.
Great
untapped potential exists if only the Aquatics Division, the Big
Leage program and out-side experts could be put into better harmony.
New programs, growth and great levels of excitment can touch many
adults and kids in and around Pittsburgh if Mark Rauterkus is given
some freedom and support to from Aquatics and Big Leagues for such
endeavors.
Pool
Wranglings:
It
is the opinion of some that better organization and better
programming are possible. Given the lengh and depth of the
discussions each year at City Council, it is fair to say that all of
the city council members have strong opinions about the swim pools.
In general terms, I think widespread agreement would support the
notion that the pools and swim programs can be and should be upgraded
so as to provide better opportunities for the citizens. The methods
of financing these aquatics programs would make for debate, to be
sure, but the possibilities for changes and enhancements exist. These
changes might include some additional
privatization,
agressive marketing, community ownership-stake-holders and even some
user-fees endeavors.
Perhaps
a way to increase the quality of the opportunities is to re-examine
the interplay among the Big League Programs, the Aquatics Division,
and our outside groups, such as TRA (Three Rivers Aquatics). The
outside groups have specialized interests and motivations in aquatics
programming.
With
a few modest areas of change, the Big League program can expand into
some pilot programming opportunities that have been not explored
before within the city. The Big League office can work with the
Aquatics Division and with some outside specialized leadership to
make this occur in the summer of 2000.
Let's
propose and work to create a few specialized centers for:
-
competitive swimming,
-
masters swimming,
-
water polo, and
-
underwater hockey.
Other
considerations and information are presented as a way to begin the
dialog and planning, well in advance of budget considerations. These
programs are going to cost very little, but they will be a
significant enhancement the offerings to the citizens.
Background:
Beyond
Baseball at Big Leagues
The
City of Pittsburgh's Big League program began with baseball. Of
course this is no surprise, as baseball is Lou's passion. It takes a
driven leader to make programs successful. Today, the Big League
program has grown to include much more than the famous and popular
"Rookie Ball."
Kids
play baseball at all ages, softball, Air-It-Out NFL-sponsored Flag
Football, Deck Hockey and other sports too.
Aquatics
Programs:
Open
Swims / Lap Swims
The
bulk of the city's aquatics program deals with lifeguarding, staffing
the facilities and keeping everyone at all the 32 city-run pools safe
and happy. Pittsburgh's diverse facilities and its diverse
populations make for a challenges in operation that the aquatic's
staff handles with the highest-regards and professional outcomes.
Aquatics
Programs:
Instructional
and Competitive Aspects:
The
city's aquatics programs have swim lessons (some free and other for a
user fee) and some swim teams. Most of the swim teams are free. New
water festivals and some new equipment such as water basketball have
been given to the pools in recent years.
There
are some aquatic exercise classes at the Oliver Bath House and
perhaps at some of the other outdoor pools.
Outside
the City Sponsored Programs, TRA
The
Three Rivers Aquatic team practices at Oliver Bath House and Highland
Park Pool, but these programs are NOT administered by the city.
Rather TRA is a separate organization that has its own management,
fees, payroll, coaches and sponsorships.
Other
competitive swim teams exist too, such as Team Pittsburgh (PITT) and
the Jewish Community Center Sailfish.
Areas
of Synergy with TRA and the City Aquatics Program
As
the TRA program are offered to city kids, and as the program is a
success (hopefully more so than in the past) the city's Park's
Department realizes some significant benefits to its overall mission.
The
TRA team, like the others, offers basic instructional programs to
those who can already pass a deep water test. Participants generally
need to have swimming lessons before advancing to the swim team.
An
attracitve TRA experience is going to help drive more people into the
lesson programs.
The
TRA team members are often a prime area for the recruitment of city
lifeguards. Many city lifeguards on the staff now have been members
of the TRA team, as well as its prior name, the D.P.R. (Department of
Recreation) team.
----
End
of draft:
Mark
Rauterkus
108
South 12th Street
Pittsburgh,
PA 15203
412-481-2540
New
Role: General Manager of Three Rivers Aquatics
Hosea
Holder is still the Emeritus Head Coach for TRA.