A chronic shortage of instructors is causing reductions in Aquafit Class schedules in Public Swimming Pools across the City. Many attendees are seniors who depend on classes to stay healthy: range of motion, stretching, cardio, strength training, not to mention improved wellness from socialization.

Upon investigation we discovered:

1.     At some point, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation removed the mandatory stipulation for Aquatic Leaders to teach Aquafit classes

2.     Instructors are responsible for bearing the costs of certification (up to $1449 every 2 years, and 16 credits or $240 annually). Since many instructors are part time, cost is a major disincentive. 

We call the Vancouver Parks Commissioners to:

a.     Cover the certification costs for the Aquafit instructors, with the stipulation that the instructors are committed to teaching a minimum number of classes       Or

b.     Pay a shift premium, that over the course of the year, would reimburse Aquafit certification costs. Since tuition is tax deductible, there may be savings in this model.    Or

c.     Develop in-house Aquafit Certification using existing staff to train and certify instructors.

2.     Return to the level of service, number and length of Aquafit classes to that prior to the pandemic. Aquafit classes hold up to 65 people, but when classes are cancelled, that number drops to a small fraction.There is a business case, as only a small fraction of paying guests visit pools when classes are cancelled

We will vote for candidates who support us in the Oct 15th Civic Election.