Goals and challenges
The City of Brenham Blue Bell Aquatic Center’s three pool-complex always thrived during the summer season. But as soon as the school bell rang in fall, attendance dropped significantly. The facility’s management team was tasked with finding a way to let the public know that the two indoor pools were open all year-round for lap swimming, aquatic exercise classes, swimming lessons and team competition.
How they did it
To raise awareness about the aquatic center’s offerings, the facility began holding its annual KidFish program 11 years ago.
HIGHLIGHTS
-The facility began holding its annual KidFish community outreach program to attract autumn swimmers.
-Children spend the day catching fish in an outdoor swimming pool.
-The KidFish event is credited with the facility’s 4%-10% annual growth
The one-day outreach program is designed to educate and provide fishing experiences for children and families. It’s held around the end of September or early October and is mostly attended by children between the ages of 4-13. Thanks to donations from sponsors, the event is free. However, participants are asked to bring two canned goods for admittance, which are donated to a local food bank.
Brenham’s close proximity to a popular fishing lake made the program a good fit for Blue Bell, says Tammy Jaster, aquatic supervisor. Kids are taught about wildlife, conservation and fishing, and can then test their skills by catching catfish in the outdoor pool.
About 500-750 pounds of catfish, supplied by local fisheries, are placed into the pool, says Jaster. Before the fish arrive, the chemical feed to the pool is cut off, so the pool is essentially a fresh-water pool. “We have people walk through the front doors just because they want to see fish in a swimming pool,” she says.
Why catfish? Well, apparently they are not picky eaters, and therefore they are fairly easy to catch, says Jaster. Some children walk away with an entire ice chest full of freshly caught swimming-pool fish.
The facility also began working with the Boy and Girls Scouts of America about four years ago. Scouts who attend the event now have an opportunity to earn badges for first aid and fishing. Parents also can get their children finger printed, and receive drug awareness information.
All KidFish participants are given a coupon to return for a free swim (without the catfish), and return they do. Participation in the event has tripled since it launched, and the event is credited with the facility’s 4%-10% annual growth.
