Browne Aquatic Center to get extended hours, new programs with new manager

Posted by author December 4, 2024 Fitness

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COLDWATER — The Browne Aquatic Center will have a new manager in January, with plans to expand hours and increase programming.

Coldwater Community Schools approved the contract with Hampton Aquatics and Fitness Nov. 25.

Audrina Hampton started Hampton Aquatics and Fitness in 2018, first offering at-home swimming lessons and training for competitive swimmers and triathletes.

After adding staff and expanding, she provides swimming programs at pools at the Battle Creek YMCA, Oak Lawn Fitness Center in Marshall, and the Opportunity School in Albion.

The third-party management contract was the last piece in a plan between the city of Coldwater and the Coldwater school system to revitalize the pool operation. The pool was built in 2014 with gifts from Dr. Robert Browne, a 1942 Coldwater High graduate.

The city owns the pool, but the school system manages the operation. The school had cut hours over the past years due to a lack of lifeguards, rising costs, and waning use.

“I’m going to onboard and keep the current staff. I’m going to reach out to the community too. If I need to bring in my people, I absolutely can, but that’s not what I intend to do. I intend to still make it a Coldwater facility,” Hampton said.

Rather than building a pool for her program, Hampton said, “What I like to do is to help rebuild what is already there. I like to bring life back into already established businesses, to help them grow. And in return, they help us grow as well.”

She said programs will be expanded.

“We are going to bring programs like the Learn to Swim and more aquatic fitness classes,” Hampton said.

Among the pages of programs include Flicks and Floats, which are movies at the pool and work at other pools to increase use.

“We have new ideas that we would like specifically for the Dr. Browne Aquatic Center,” Hampton added.

Extended hours will include early morning for people to swim before work and on weekends.

Hampton said the aquatic center may also see a mermaid visit.

Lesa Kenney, an elementary Spanish teacher at Harper Creek Community Schools, has been a swim instructor, lifeguard, and water aerobics instructor for 18 years. She is also known as “Mermaid Lesa,” a character who can be booked for in-water and out-of-water appearances through Hampton Aquatics and Fitness.

What does the contract include?

The one-year contract pays Hampton $50,000, with the city and school splitting the cost.
There is a 180-day notice to cancel by either party.
Hampton is entitled to 80% of the fees for aquatic swimming lessons, private lessons, or fitness classes.
The schools shall reimburse Hampton $15 an hour for lifeguards.
Coldwater Schools is responsible for maintenance.
Hampton must provide and maintain workers’ compensation Insurance and a $1 million liability insurance policy to indemnify Coldwater Schools.

School superintendent Paul Flynn said the contract is similar to third-party contractors for the school system’s food service and custodial services.

The city and school system signed a new five-year agreement in October. This new plan became necessary because the schools lost $2.5 million operating the pool over the first nine years and needed significant equipment repairs.

The Robert W. and Lynn H. Browne Foundation has committed $1,050,000 over three years to the pool’s capital improvements. The city already has that money in escrow.

Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com