BOSTON (December 23, 2008) - The YMCA of Greater Boston announced today that all of its 21 indoor lap pools, therapy pools and whirl pools are compliant with the new Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act and are open for members and guests. The YMCA's facilities managers and pool suppliers had been working since early September to ensure that the entire Association would meet and be ready for the December 19th, 2008 deadline.
"The safety of our members and guests is paramount. While the Association has never had an incident involving pool drains, we are fully compliant with this additional safety measure," said John M. Ferrell, YMCA of Greater Boston President. Ferrell added, "In West Roxbury, we actually had to drain the pool in order to install the necessary drain covers. We expect that pool to be ready for swimmers during school vacation week."
A new federal law passed by Congress in 2007, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act became effective Friday, December 19, 2008 and requires safeguards including anti-entrapment drain covers and safety vacuum release systems (SVRS) to be installed in all pools and spas to prevent entrapment incidents. SVRS are emergency sensors that shut off the suction automatically if the drain becomes blocked.
Each year, the YMCA of Greater Boston provides over 30,000 lessons in pools throughout Eastern Massachusetts. The Greater Boston Y's offer swimming lessons for adults and children, with training available in water safety, beginner swim for children and adults and life-saving techniques. The affordable classes are offered during mornings, afternoons and evenings, as well as weekends, and financial scholarships are available to those in need.
The Greater Boston Y's swim lessons are progressive in nature. Students, including adults, are tested at the start of each program, and then participate in an extensive eight-week session before being re-tested. If the required skills are not mastered, individuals remain in their existing swim class before they progress to the next instructional level. The progressive system helps ensure that each student develops critical swimming skills and ability, while building knowledge and safety skills for open water.
The Y provides highly-skilled, well-trained and certified instructors who work with students to build their skills and safety. In addition, Y classes always have a lifeguard present for added safety and peace of mind for participants and parents of young children just learning to swim.
The YMCA operates pools in Boston's Back Bay, Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Roxbury and West Roxbury neighborhoods and in Canton (outdoor), Needham, Reading, Waltham and Woburn.
About the YMCA of Greater Boston
Founded in 1851, the YMCA of Greater Boston is the first Y in the United States. The YMCA of Greater Boston is dedicated to improving the health of mind, body, and spirit of individuals and families in our communities. We welcome men and women, boys and girls of all incomes, faiths and cultures. One of the largest urban YMCAs in the country and Boston's largest provider of social services for children and families, the Greater Boston Y has more than 75 branches and program centers serving 100,000 men, women, and children in more than 40 eastern Massachusetts communities. (http://www.ymcaboston.org/)
