Could Central Florida YMCA Team Cuts Generate a Ripple Effect?

When news broke on Thursday that the YMCA of Central Florida was eliminating its competitive aquatic sports program at 22 locations, reactions were swift. Some individuals floated the idea that the decision was using COVID-19 as a shield to make the unpopular cuts. Others were angered that their children, who now must fine a new team, were left in the dark and not given a proper heads up. Some argued that the decision will force athletes away from the sport if they couldn’t find a similar replacement for their past YMCA home.

Given the situation that unfolded in Florida, the question must be asked: Could the YMCA of Central Florida decision be an indicator of what is to come? There is no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic has not only been damning from a health standpoint, but the fiscal damage has been felt across the country. It is possible that other clubs – YMCA or USA Swimming-affilitaed – could follow the path the YMCA of Central Florida traveled. Rental agreements of pools will be considered, along with the future of the sport during the COVID-19 pandemic. If pools must close again amid rising COVID-19 cases, further damage will be done.

In Central Florida, the decision was to eliminate the competitive programs, but keep the facilities, which can be used for open-swim opportunities. It is disturbing to think that YMCA facilities in, say, Ohio and Pennsylvania, could follow suit and get rid of their competitive programs, thus saving money. The removal of competitive swimming from developing swimmers not only hurts talent growth, it takes away factors that are positives of the sport: Discipline, teamwork, fitness.

“This decision was just about the aquatic teams and has nothing to with the aquatic centers themselves. They will likely re-open as soon as it is safe to do so, but the teams will not be a part of it,” YMCA of Central Florida District Executive Director Mike Brady told Swimming World on Thursday.

Florida alone had 10,109 new cases on Wednesday. According to the Washington Post, it is the 25^th consecutive day that Florida’s seven-day COVID-19 case average has broken the previous record for a seven-day span. While most swimmers across the U.S. have been out of the water for weeks and are only easing back into a lane — and of course that is only in areas that are safe to do so — the recent rise of COVID-19 cases is raising some serious concerns.

On Thursday, the U.S. reported 55,220 new cases of the coronavirus, breaking the single-day record, set just the day before at 52,789. That’s more than 100,000 in just a two-day span — and that is just the official numbers. The total number of cases in the U.S. is now more than 2.7 million with more than 128,000 deaths.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

17 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

David Moreno

3 years ago

I don’t think it well. So far so cal teams are practicing w restrictions and lap swimming has opened with reservations for a lane. But of course we don’t workout in a YMCA. So far so good just wear you dam mask!!?

Jennifer Rinesmith

3 years ago

Reply to David Moreno

David Moreno I agree, but it depends on the part of the country you’re in. So many teams are really working to get back in to pools. In St. Louis, we are practicing (indoors and outdoors) with restrictions like temp checks, masks, no parents on site. Our city also does the lap swimming at the Y’s and local pools. But I think people will have to fight for these opportunities. It was implied (as we fought to get back in before start date) that swim club was, unfortunately, not a priority to them. It may take a community effort to keep swimming in some areas.

Karin Knudson O'Connell

3 years ago

Reply to David Moreno

David Moreno yup. But we are also outdoors in CA so that helps

Diane Bonesteel

3 years ago

I hope not! My daughter has been competitively swimming with the Y in New York for 7 years she deeply misses her swimming and team mates, I understand if they have to postpone or cancel this years season. Please do not disband the teams!

Heather Underwood

3 years ago

Reply to Diane Bonesteel

i agree! my daughter is going into her 3rd season and i dont know what she would do without her team!! she loves swimming with a passion (we are also in ny)

Julie Gorske

3 years ago

Our YMCA in NH has been doing lap swimming on a reservation basis for about a month, and they restarted swim team practice this week with 6 kids at a time. So far, so good!

Diane Bonesteel

3 years ago

Reply to Julie Gorske

Julie Gorske that’s fantastic…. our local Y’s have not opened yet and in fact our coaches have been laid off

Barb Martin Binkley

3 years ago

It better not…..these kids need their sport!!!

Craig Vincent

3 years ago

Reply to Barb Martin Binkley

We can have swimming to a degree, but we can’t have swimming the way we’re used to. We can’t have swimming where we’re cramming a half dozen people into the same lane with their heads all at the same level breathing into each other’s faces. Be smarter.

Deb 'Learing' Rombough

3 years ago

Why disband???

Kati Stafford

3 years ago

They started back too soon. My son is just going to start back this week in PA. Their rush to get back in the water should not reflect on those areas that chose to wait and be safe!!!!

Heather Underwood

3 years ago

Reply to Kati Stafford

No end in sight here in NY…we are in phase 4 of our reopening and our governor decided to add phases to phase 4 and has given no guidance on when ymcas will be able to open…I’m in a small rural area in upstate and outdoor pools are closed due to covid layoffs so no practicing happening outdoors either ?

Kati Stafford

3 years ago

Reply to Kati Stafford

Heather Underwood – I’m so sad to hear this… this whole thing is a nightmare for the kids

Sandra Frimerman-Bergquist

3 years ago

On a positive note the University of Minnesota Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center is opening for swim team practice next week!

Lisa Kirsch Whidden

3 years ago

Valerie Curatella Kirsch

Diana Terry Bolding

3 years ago

Chlorine kills virus germs ?

SwimCoachDad

3 years ago

It seems that for years, the YMCA has been trying to get out of competitive swimming. Several new YMCA pools built in our area over the past 10 years have been intentionally designed to be too short and too shallow for competitive swimming. Sweeping coaching changes all over the US at successful Y programs have been made in favor of a “less serious” approach to competitive swimming. From what I’ve been told by local YMCA Executive Directors, competitive swimming takes up too much time and access to their pools at the expense of the members and so YMCAs have been discouraging competitive swimming at their branches. So, the pandemic seems to be a convenient excuse for something they’ve tried to do National for years.