Make a Splash: Programming Your Aquatic Facility –
From Pool to Aquatic Fitness Center
Sue Nelson, B.S. ATRI, AEA, USA Swimming

We spell suCCCCess with 4 C’s: Competitive programming, Community programming, Continuum programming and Collaborative programming.

The Aquatic Facility, the Focal Point for your Community

  • Learn-to-swim
  • Aquatic Rehab and the Continuum
  • Community Health & Wellness
  • USA Swim Teams
  • Youth Aquatic Recreation & Exercise
  • Child Development – Community Aquatic Safety programs
  • Hosting events

Collect Census Data

  • Demographics
  • Geographics
  • Populations
  • Programs & Operations

Community Service & Aquatic Programming

  • Research needs
  • Community advocates
  • Visit sites
  • Identify user groups
  • Establish Mission & Values plan

Barriers to Inclusion

  • Identifying
  • Defining
  • Addressing

Evolution from POOL to Aquatic Fitness Facility

Biographical Information:

Sue Nelson is the Aquatic Program Specialist for USA Swimming. She comes from a club coaching background along with extensive experience in program development and aquatic management. Sue & husband/business partner Mick, formed their own swim club and built their own indoor facility in Danville, Illinois in 1972. In 1974, they formed Nelson’s Swim Supply, a retail and wholesale pool/spa and aquatic equipment business. In 1982, they formed NSS Inc., which offered aquatic facility design, building, and business consultation to the aquatic industry.

In 1994, they formed WaterWay Therapy Inc., which was one of the first and only privately owned and operated Medicare approved outpatient Aquatic Physical Therapy center in the country. In 2002, they formed Poolside Health & Wellness Center, which became not only the home for the USA Swim Club, WaterWay Therapy, and Swim America learn-to-swim program but a full service land and water community health and wellness center. Sue’s specialty is program development and implementation with facility design. In June, 2004, Sue moved to Colorado Springs to help form the new Facilities Department of USA Swimming.