Profit motives.(privatizing aquatics facilities)(Editorial)

Lately, there's been a lot of talk about privatizing public programs such as social security and the park system. I'm not a big fan of such ideas. Some things--utilities, parks and schools among them--should not be subject to the ups and downs of the market, should exist for the greater good, not the greater profit. I suspect many operators share that opinion, and would put aquatics facilities on the list of public entities that should remain so. Some professionals would argue there's no place for money in aquatics at all.

On that point, I would have to respectfully disagree.

While I'm not an advocate for privatizing aquatics facilities, I do think plenty can be learned and applied from private management practices. They might even make it possible to do something that's almost taboo in aquatics: turn a profit.

And there's nothing wrong with making money. Indeed, if you are making money, it's a sure sign that you're doing things right, providing a service paying customers come back for again and again. Just look at the private kissing cousin of aquatics facilities, swim schools. They live or die by their ability to compete in the market. That means providing superior customer service. Unbeatable swim lessons. And measurable results. These private clubs are thriving even though they ...