Marine Corps Base Quantico -- Warm summer temperatures are enough to bring service members, their families and civilians on base to the Quantico 50M Pool, which opened Memorial Day Weekend. However, Lindsay Leach, aquatics director, hopes their enhanced amenities and increase in swim classes will keep customers coming back.
“We’re hoping to make everything easier for the patrons, as far as the checking in-process, forms and overall experience,” Leach said. “Our goal is to boost participation by making things as simple and fun as possible.”
One of the first noticeable improvements is a faster check-in process. Typically a crowd lines form at pool’s gate during opening time, Leach said. With the older electronic system, she said staff had to plug in several buttons to charge the correct fee for each rank or status. Now, with the pool’s new touch-screen recreation management software, wait times have been reduced from 10-15 minutes to only a few minutes, she added.
Additionally, the pool will offer five swim sessions throughout the summer, two more than last year. Also, patrons can find a greater variety in sizes of life vests for children and adults. The pool now sells items like goggles, swim diapers and sunscreen as an added convenience for those who may forget essentials.
Marines and sailors who want to switch up their Physical Training routine can attend the facility’s new “Amp-It” class, which an aquatics crossfit routine that focuses on building core strength and conditioning. Although these classes are geared toward military members, all pool patrons can attend. Classes are held Monday and Friday from 11 a.m. to noon and Tuesday and Thursday from 6 – 7 a.m.
The Clubs at Quantico will set up a concession stand on the weekends, where they will serve hot dogs, hamburgers, sodas and snacks. Along with added perks, the pool has also been outfitted with new lane lines, backboards and first-aid kits.
Currently the pool opens at 10:45 a.m. for adult lap swim and 3 p.m. for open swim and closes at 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, starting June 16 those hours will change to 5:30 a.m. for adult lap swim and 1 p.m. for open swim, closing at 6 p.m.
Writer: afelton@quanticosentryonline.com