Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Director Ron Davis attended the June 8 regular meeting of the Oxford Schools Board of Education to answer one very important question on many voters? minds ? who will get to use the new high school swimming pool and when?
Oxford Schools Superintendent Virginia Brennan-Kyro explained that when the district proposed and passed their latest bond issue, officials made three clear promises to the public in regards to the natatorium. First, the physical education curriculums will be adjusted to include pool instruction hours during the school day. Second, athletics teams will be added including girls and boys swimming. And third, extracurricular and community activities will be established for after-school hour use.
Brennan-Kyro explained that the first two components are already in place. In the upcoming school year, physical education classes will be held in the pool and swimming will be added as a club sport with future prospects of becoming a varsity team as the program is established.
‘We decided to go to Oxford Parks and Recreation to set the framework for the third component of our promise,? explained Brennan-Kyro. ‘We have worked well with the department on many other projects and knew there would be no one more appropriate to lead with this one.?
Director Ron Davis agreed.
‘The swimming pool is just another example of two different government bodies coming together to serve the people,? he said.
Davis explained that for the first year at least, parks and rec would be keeping the programs at the pool simple. He presented a current plan that provides pool access to the public from 5:30-9 p.m., Monday through Friday, for swimming lessons only.
‘I’m going for quality, not quantity this year,? stated Davis. ‘We’re going to take it slow and do it right.?
Davis emphasized that he wants to take the first year to become acquainted with the facilities. Over the next couple of years, as the parks and rec department becomes more comfortable with the equipment and a staff of life guards is established, Davis said he expects more options to be added such as open swims, scuba diving courses, water aerobics and diving.
Officials at the board meeting stated that no formal contracts have been drawn between the school district and Oxford Township Parks and Recreation. Davis stated that the two government entities have an ‘open agreement to work together and communicate? on this project.