Four-Legged Member Of The Month
The March Member of the Month has four legs and a cute little tail. It’s Gizmo, the canine mascot of the Old Town Hot Springs. Gizmo turns four years old on March 13.
Gizmo was the cutest little puppy, and one of a litter owned by OTHS employee Carrie Epstein. She brought two of the puppies in one day and Maintenance Director Matt Enochs mentioned to co-workers, “I really want that puppy.” Matt’s fellow workers realized that Matt was about to celebrate a big birthday so they rallied together and bought the puppy. Fitness Director Simonne Oliver picked up Gizmo and brought him out to an employee party at Sara Barry’s house at Stagecoach. Matt saw Simonne with the puppy and thought to himself, “Simonne bought that little puppy that I really wanted.” That’s when Simonne reached out to Matt and put tiny little Gizmo, with a huge red bow around his neck, in the palm of his hands. It was love at first tail wag.
Gizmo is an Irish Jack Russell Terrier, which means he’s a little smaller than other Jack Russells. He is officially on duty when working at the pool. He greets people, plays with kids, but mainly follows Matt around. Sometimes Gizmo tries to sneak in the day care room in case someone dropped a cracker.
The Old Town Hot Springs is Gizmo’s home away from home. He is always on the lookout for other dogs on his turf. The Poochy Paddle is not one Gizmo’s favorite events. Gizmo is not very fond of the water, but he is very patient. Give Gizmo a scratch the next time you are at the pool, and wish him a very happy birthday.
Membership Prices Stay The Same
The Board of the Old Town Hot Springs has voted to keep annual membership rates the same, for the second year in a row. Executive Director Pat Carney says, “We are sensitive to the economic situation of residents in Steamboat and Routt County, and we want people to have the opportunity to belong to our wonderful facility.” However, membership rates will have to increase at some point to keep up with increasing costs and expenses, but not right now. Rates for visitors and tourists were increased in December to help raise more money to support the non-profit facility. Carney adds, “We continue to cut expenses whenever we can. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding.” The Old Town Hot Springs is a non-profit, 501©3 business, solely supported by its own revenue. Memberships comprise more than 50 percent of total revenues.
Finger Scanners Are Ready
The new and improved finger scanner system at the front desk is up and running. The finger vein reader is a new biometric method utilizing the finger vein patterns inside one’s fingers for personal identity verification. A finger vein is easier to read than a fingerprint. It has a 98 percent success rate and no privacy issues.
Every member will need to get their finger vein registered. Children whose fingers are not 2 ½ inches long will be checked in by the desk clerk. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Pool Covers Keep In The Heat
Every night, it’s a massive job to cover up the hot pools with heavy, bulky pool covers. This is what helps keep the pools insulated, and warm at night during the winter months. It saves on the gas bill for the Old Town Hot Springs.
An even harder job is removing all of the pool covers in the very early mornings. Five different employees take turns each weekday morning, at 4:45 a.m., to handle this daunting task. Removing the pool covers is the job of Sam Huff, Kerry Lofy, James Slagle, Tim Woodland, and Tony Lodico. They’re in when everyone else is sound asleep, to begin this big job. The foam insulated pool covers are water-soaked and heavy. It happens every day, no matter what the weather. Lodico says, “I wear more clothing to remove the covers than I do to coach SSWSC, where I’m usually standing at the bottom of the halfpipe. It’s just cold! You get covered in a glaze of ice.”
It’s the start of a lifeguard shift for Lodico. He removes the covers and then stays and lifeguards until 9 a.m.
“I enjoy it because you walk in and you’re the first one there and it’s peaceful and quiet. It’s a good thing. It works for my schedule and then I can go up and ski!”
Each spa has two covers and the large hot pool has 23 pieces that fit together like a huge jigsaw puzzle. The patterns were specially designed by Maintenance Director Matt Enochs, and made in California. “They are called Thermal Covers, and they actually have an insulating foam in the middle. If we didn’t have the covers on, we wouldn’t be able to afford to run the Old Town Hot Springs.” The biggest covers insulate six lanes in the lap pool. The two of them are 75’ by 25’.
Pool covers are removed a bit later in the mornings on the weekends as the facility opens later. The job takes about an hour.
March Madness Card Sale
Prices are dropping in the Child Care Room for the crazy March Madness sale. Get a child care punch card for $25 each during the sale, March 1-6. There is a limit of five cards per customer. Punch cards are regularly priced at $35 each for ten one-hour punches. Pay in the Child Care Room. If you pay at the Front Desk, make sure to bring your receipt to the Child Care Room.
Annual Meeting
Mark your calendar for the Annual Meeting for Lifetime Members, 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 14, in the upstairs exercise room. Save the date. Details to follow in the April newsletter.
March Madness – From the Fitness Center
Spin For Longer
Enjoy a two-hour Spin Class, for the price of one hour on the four Saturdays of March. Dates are March 6, 13, 20, and 27. Bikes are limited so sign up in advance at the Front Desk.
Happy Hour Class
Spend Happy Hour at the Old Town Hot Springs, 5:30 p.m., Mondays, March 8 and 22. The class includes 15 minutes of aerobics, 15 minutes of step, 15 minutes of kickboxing, and 15 minutes of weights. The class includes a special Happy Hour drink: a bottle of water on the house!
Zumba
Zumba comes back for a guest appearance. Two classes will be offered at 8:30 a.m., Thursdays, March 11 and 25. Any member is welcome to come to this class free of charge.
Luck Of The Irish Special
If you have a March birthday, celebrate at the Old Town Hot Springs. If your birthday is in March, you will receive a free towel rental every time you come in to use the facility during the month of March. Bring your driver’s license, or we can check your birthday on your membership registry. Then pick up your towel at the Front Desk, to use during your workout.
March Madness – Between the Lanes
Monster Swim
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Happy Hour Monster Swim, 5-6 p.m., March 17. The objective is to swim as far as you can in one hour. The swimmer who logs the most distance is the winner. Green refreshments will be served in the lobby after the event. Cost is $5/members, $10/non-members. Register and pay at the Front Desk. Seventy percent of all fees collected will go to the Wayne Kakela Scholarship Fund for swim lesson assistance.
Reserve your lane now. Get four friends, pay the combined entry fee in advance (if all are members), and reserve your lane early. A water polo game will follow the Monster Swim.
Water Polo Class
Give water polo a try at the Old Town Hot Springs. Amy Charity is a former collegiate water polo player and will be coaching the class, 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in March. A water polo exhibition game is Wednesday, March 17, 6-7 p.m. The class is geared for swimmers 16 years old and older. It will cover skills, strategy, and game play. The cost is $5/members and $10/non-members. Please register and pay at the Front Desk.
Competitive Team Tune-Up
Get a competitive team tune-up in preparation for the swim team season. Steamboat Springs Team Lightning competitive swimmers will participate in the IM Ready or the IM Xtreme Challenges, depending on age and level of fitness. The cost is $75 for the first child, $50 for the second, and $25 for the third. The class is Monday-Wednesday-Friday, 4-5:00 p.m., March 1-26. Register and pay at the Front Desk. Please note: Entry fee to the Happy Hour Monster Swim March 17 is included.
Swim Cross Training
Swim Cross Training for kids continues in March. The training class is for kids ages 7-14, 4-5 p.m. on Thursdays in March. The class includes lap swimming, water aerobics, synchronized swimming, and aquatic games. The cost is $25/members and $32.50/non-members.
Practice Your Kayak Rolls
Two Flat Water Kayak Roll sessions are schedule in March. The first is Sunday, March 7, and the second is Sunday, March 21, both from 3-5:00 p.m. The cost is $15/member and $20/non-member. Bring your own kayak and gear, and you must supply your own spotter. Register and pay at the Front Desk.
First Aid And CPR Classes Offered
The Old Town Hot Springs will be offering an American Red Cross Certification class for CPR/AED (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation/Automated External Defibrillator), Tuesday, March 9, at 6:30. The cost is $30. The instructor is Alexis Wolf, the Youth Programs Coordinator with the City of Steamboat. She has been teaching American Red Cross classes since 2002. Please pre-register at the Front Desk.
