Pool staff looks at seniors' programs

By Sara QuamSenior citizens have requested more time or programming at the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center. Saying that a lot of time is available now to seniors, managers Sam Honnerman and Robyn Wessels showed Pool Commission members Tuesday a schedule of the facility.Wessels said, "We realize that a lot of our attendance and members are seniors.""Aqua aerobics" is a mostly senior-focused class and is from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, when people other than seniors often work."Body in motion" classes are from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. The managers said many hours of lap swim are patronized mostly by seniors during the day, even though they aren’t designated as "senior" times in the pool."Senior swims" are from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays.In other business Tuesday, the commission:
Discussed an athletic competition to encourage members to stay active in the new year.If it happens, the competition would involve weekly prizes and would encourage people to try different types of exercises. Bikers could walk or runners could swim, for example.Commission member Kraig Rust said he hoped it would keep people from becoming bored with their routines. The competition may be men vs. women.
Got a report from management that the first six months of participation in the insurance reimbursement program for members has been successful.Blue Cross Blue Shield is the only participating insurer this year, but through the program, 51 new members joined the facility.Through the program, Blue Cross pays for the membership of people who use the facility eight times a month.There are 138 members who take part in the program.