Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Update #2 – August 24, 2023 - Hybrid Reservation System Pilot 

Tell Us How Your Swim Went 
We need to hear from you!  It is easy and quick.  Please see the QR Codes posted around the pool.  Hold your phone up to the code in “Picture Mode”.  A window will pop-up with a URL.  Follow the link.  A poll will be displayed on your phone with 7-8 questions.  You can fill it out while getting a cup of coffee in the Beech Room.  Over 20 people have already shared their experiences.   You can also use this link if you prefer: https://forms.gle/sB3nGNQRHJjVEXiM6     
 
Model Behavior: Two stories we want to share (from the QR Code poll)

Mike Mulkey used to reserve a lane for an hour on Tuesdays after his group run.  He would use the pool for 20 minutes to cool down and loosen up.  He says the Community Lane works great because he never knew when exactly he would get to the pool.  Now he leaves a lane open for someone else to reserve.
 
Kathy Murren and Jeanie Waltuch both were reported showing up early for their reservations.  Instead of disturbing the member in their reserved lane, they jumped into another lane to start swimming.  Then when the person finished swimming, they moved over to their reserved lanes.
 
Changes for Masters Swimming – M/W/F
We have extended the concept of the Community Lane to another period of high demand. During Masters’ Swim Team practice on M/W/F from 9:30 – 11am, the Masters’ Program has reduced its reservation to 3 lanes (#s 6, 7, and 8).  Lane #5 is now a Community Lane.  In the situation where all 4 reserved lanes are used, someone is swimming in the Community Lane AND the Masters’ Program needs another lane, the member in the Community Lane will be asked to split the lane with a Masters’ swimmer.
 
Improvement tweaks already underway 

• “Day-before” email reminder email for Reservations – IN PROGRESS
• Reduce text on the Lane Reservation System – DONE
• New pool side signage explaining the Hybrid Reservation System Pilot – DONE
• Added complete set of blocks to remove confusion of lane numbers – DONE

REMINDERS: 

1) Check out the University Club of Palo Alto mobile app – a GREAT way to manage your reservations:

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/university-club-of-palo-alto/id1471197866
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=axis_android.axis_android.UniversityClubPaloAlto&hl=en_US&gl=US

2) When you come to the pool deck and you think someone may be in your lane, PLEASE confirm your reservation lane and time on your phone.

Update #1 – August 10, 2023 - Hybrid Reservation System Pilot 

A solid start off the blocks!

The Hybrid Reservation System Pilot is off to a great start. The Community Lap Swimming Lanes were used by several people. We are not aware of anyone needing to share a lane.  Everyone who came down to the pool got to swim. Very few times have all the lanes been reserved. There is plenty of space for people to swim when they want to. It looks like we may have picked the right week to ease into this pilot program.

More explanation of the goals

The overall goal of the changes of the pilot was to increase the availability of the pool for everyone. The pool can comfortably support up to 10-12 lap swimmers. Rarely, if ever, do we have that many members wanting to swim at one time.  The reservation system intentionally constrained the capacity of the pool for COVID. Two of the other factors that hurt capacity are No Shows and Late arrivals. The pilot program attempts to address the downsides of those poor member behaviors, without implementing policing and enforcement. Instead, the preference was to empower member collaboration.  

Peter’s Promise and Special Masters’ Offer

For any member who wants to swim between 9:30-11am on M/W/F, Peter promises to do his utmost to accommodate your desire to swim.  If, when you come down to the pool, there is not a reservation lane free (lanes 1-4), he will find a way to share a lane in the Masters’ lanes (lanes 5-8).  That may mean splitting a lane with a Masters’ swimmer.  He is also offering that members can try-out the Masters’ program for free if they would like.

Improvement tweaks already underway

New poolside signage explaining the Hybrid Reservation System Pilot – DONE

Added complete set of blocks to remove confusion of lane numbers – DONE

Reduce text on the Lane Reservation System – IN PROGRESS

REMINDER: When you come to the pool deck and you think someone may be in your lane, PLEASE confirm your reservation lane and time on your phone. 

3277 MIRANDA AVENUE PALO ALTO, CA 94304          T: 650.493.3972