My name is Lynn Ringenberg. I have lived on Capitol Hill for over 55 years. My children and grandchildren learned to swim at Rumsey and use it recreationally. My husband is a lap swimmer. I have taken YMCA Senior Water Aerobics classes at Rumsey Pool for over 25 years. I have three major concerns with the current design for the new Rumsey Pool: insufficient space for classes, poorly designed shower rooms, and safety.
- Sufficient space for classes
Rumsey is a community pool. Therefore, all pool participants need to be given space for recreational activity. Participants include adult and child classes, individual lap swimmers, team practice, and families. The full length of the pool is used for lap swimmers and the Jr. Wave, DC Wave, and Water Wizards team practices. The pool is divided horizontally when there are classes. The deep end of the pool is used for laps and the shallow end and is used for classes. The Table below shows that 468 scheduled participant hours are currently using the shallow end of pool in a typical week
| Classes requiring multipurpose area | |||
| Class | Frequency per week | Enrollment | Total |
| YMCA Senior Aerobics I | 3 | 25 | 75 |
| YMCA Senior Aerobics II | 3 | 25 | 75 |
| BLT Aerobics | 2 | 40 | 80 |
| Aqua Zumba | 2 | 24 | 48 |
| Aqua Kickboxing | 2 | 24 | 48 |
| Hydro Spin | 3 | 10 | 30 |
| Hydro Pole | 3 | 4 | 12 |
| Pre-school Swim Lessons | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Parent & Child swim Lessons A | *1 | 10 | 10 |
| Parent & Child Swim Lessons B | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Child I Swim Lessons | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Child II Swim Lessons | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Youth I Swim Lessons | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Adult I Swim Lessons | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Adult II Swim Lessons | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Junior Lifeguard | 1 | 20 | 20 |
| Total participation hours per week | 468 | ||
There are 24 to 40 people enrolled in each of the adult classes. Most of the participants are senior citizens, and Water Aerobics are important to their physical and mental health.
DC Department of Recreation plans to demolish Rumsey Pool and build a new pool. The proposed small pool in the current planned design is too small and shallow for these classes to accommodate any of the adult exercise classes. Participants need at least 6 square feet at a depth of 3.5 to 4.5 feet to properly exercise. However, modest modifications to the planned design for main pool would give more usable space for classes and as well maintain full lanes for lap swimmers. One way is to divide the 8-lane pool in half lengthwise. Half of the pool could be 3.5 to 4.5 feet in depth providing adequate space for classes and families. The remaining 4 full length lanes would always be available for lap swimmers. When there are no classes, more lanes could be available.
Another idea is to eliminate the separate small pool and have a larger single pool. This design is more inclusive. The first four lengthwise lanes would be a multipurpose area for classes and families. A walled off area for small children starting at zero depth to 1.3ft. could also be used as an entrance ramp to the multipurpose area. This would leave six full length dedicated lap lanes.
II Shower rooms
The new design provides few benches. All participants need space to undress, take showers, dry off, and dress. The benches need to be spaced so we have access to lockers and space between benches for walkers and wheelchairs. Hooks are needed in the shower room for towels and bathing suits. Grab bars are needed in the handicapped showers.
III Safety
More lifeguards are needed, particularly if the new design has two pools. There are not enough lifeguards to cover the children’s pool we have now. Given that Rumsey is in a high traffic urban area, it is imperative that we have a check-in person to control people coming and going in the pool. Also, when the outside door is open the new plan would allow cold air to rush onto the deck. Another door should be added at the beginning of the hall to the changing area as an air lock. Another safety concern is that the deck becomes slippery when wet.
I feel strongly that Rumsey Pool should be an inclusive community pool that meets the needs of all class participants, children, teenagers, seniors, and lap swimmers.
Lynn Ringenberg is a 55-year resident of Capitol Hill. She can be contacted at lyn.ringenberg@gmail.com.
