Tim Sheeper knows not everyone in Menlo Park is happy with how he was handed the keys to the new Burgess Aquatics Center, but he says he’s ready to win over the community.
Mr. Sheeper, founder and owner of the for-profit competitive sports program that signed a five-year contract with the city to operate the aquatics center, will open the three-pool facility Saturday, May 20, at noon. Admission is free.
The center boasts a 25-meter by 25-yard lap pool, a 25-yard by 17-yard instructional pool, a shallow pool for kids and a locker room.
Mr. Sheeper picked up the keys to the center May 12, and he and his growing staff are moving to get people in the pools as soon as possible, he said.
The pools will open under the operation of Menlo Swim and Sport LLC, a new company created by Mr. Sheeper.
The competitive Team Sheeper swimming and triathlon programs Mr. Sheeper has operated for several years, and Mr. Sheeper’s new programs he’s created since taking over operation of the aquatics center, will all merge under the Menlo Swim and Sport company name.
All of the programs will share the aquatics center, sparking public concern that Mr. Sheeper’s long-standing groups, such as the Menlo Masters swim group, may oust or restrict others from using the pools.
“There were rumors circulating that we were an exclusive club,” said Mr. Sheeper. “We never had that intention. We want to bring in the whole community.”
New programs
To draw people to the pool, Mr. Sheeper said the aquatics center and its programs will be “unmatched.”Swimmers can sign up for programs online at MenloSwim.com, Mr. Sheeper said.
In addition to the triathlon and swimming programs previously offered under the Team Sheeper name, swimmers will have new choices. Among them: instructional classes for children as young as 6 months old, water running and water exercise classes, and a training program modeled after U.S. Navy SEAL boot camp.
Mr. Sheeper’s company plans to host events at the aquatics center during the summer, such as outdoor movie screenings on Friday evenings and family-oriented activities on Sunday afternoons.
“We want the pool to be a place for everyone of all ages,” he said.
Lap swimmers can create accounts online, and will receive personal identification cards they can swipe when they enter the center. Swimmers will be billed directly to their account, Mr. Sheeper said.
Lap swim, recreational swim and lessons for children will be offered immediately; other programs will be up and running in coming weeks, he said.
“We’re here to accommodate the community,” he said. “We’ll be evaluating what’s working, and what isn’t, and we’ll be adjusting programs and schedules to the community’s liking.”
Some residents, including council members Andy Cohen and Kelly Fergusson, were troubled by the council’s 3-2 decision to privatize the aquatics center, built with $6.8 million in taxpayer funds.
“It’s disappointing not all of the council members got behind us, especially because they’re my boss now,” Mr. Sheeper said. “But, this council, the next council and the whole community are going to see this is a great thing.”
INFORMATION
For more information about the Burgess Aquatics Center, including programs, fees and hours of operation, go to MenloSwim.com.
