FRANK TALK BETWEEN CITY AND SWIM TEAM

    The Britton City Council held a discussion at its Monday meeting to address concerns surrounding the swim team’s use of the municipal swimming pool. Mayor Clyde Fredrickson invited swim team leaders and coaches to attend and discuss open communication and ensuring the safe and effective use of the facility.
    Coaches Heather Landreth and Katelyn Sasker, along with several swim team board members, were present. Landreth shared that 35 enthusiastic swimmers are part of the team this year and expressed a willingness to help manage and maintain the pool. Sasker acknowledged that a recent safety concern had been raised over pool covers left in the diving well area during practice.
    “I truly felt I was never putting the kids in harm’s way,” Sasker said. “But if the expectation is that the covers be removed, I can certainly do it.” She emphasized the team’s commitment to a safe swimming environment.
    Mayor Fredrickson thanked everyone for attending and noted that with the pool being a significant budget item that serves a limited portion of the population, proper procedures and safety protocols are essential. He stressed that anyone accessing the pool must go through Pool Manager Laken Werner and Public Works Supervisor George Flanery to understand their responsibilities.
    “It’s important that everyone—including coaches and board members—be aware of the expectations,” Fredrickson said. “When Laken asks for something to be done, it needs to be followed.”
There was also discussion about which pool doors should be used and kept open during practices. The coaches requested a clear checklist of expectations, and Werner said an effort to initiate that conversation had already been made.
    Swim team board secretary Sara Raabe presented a proposed facility use agreement, modeled after one used by the Aberdeen Aquatics Club. She said the intent was to establish clear guidelines and show the team’s desire to work in partnership with the city. “We don’t want to get in trouble,” Raabe said. “We want to work with the city and follow all the rules.”
    To move forward, a meeting was scheduled this week between swim team coaches, board members, the city’s parks board, and Werner to finalize expectations and review the facility use agreement.