The Fort Thomas Swim Club finished
another successful season of aquatic greatness. For years, the Club has provided a
get-a-away from the summer heat and gaining membership to the Club is a big deal for Fort Thomas residents.

As you probably
know, you must get on the official waiting list to earn your membership. The average wait time from getting your name on
the list to actually becoming a member is between eight and ten years.

People that I
have spoken to have noticed that on any certain day the pool is less than
crowded. With a waiting list of hundreds of families, the question presented
itself, “Why not grant more people membership to the pool?” By letting more
members in, the Club will collect more revenue ($185 for the first person, plus $30
for each additional family member). This approach also opens up spots on the waiting list.

Of course, this
idea has two perspectives:

  1. Existing members do not want the Club to become
    over-crowded. They prefer that the
    usual numbers of people be given memberships.  
  2. On the other hand, people on the waiting list would love for more families to
    be granted memberships so they get closer to accessing the pool.

To become a member, you will pay the following fees: 

  • Certificate fee – $1000 ($750 is refunded when you terminate your
    membership)
  • Initiation Fee – $100 (However, $25 was paid when you were added to the
    waiting list)
  • Dues – $185 for the first person, plus $30 for each additional family member (i.e., a family of four would cost $275 annually)

This means a family of four would pay a total of $1,350 the first year and $275 each year after. 

As a person on the wait list, you must
be prepared to accept membership (and all fees) at the time it is offered or else they will have
to go to the next person and you will forfeit your place. This information is from the Fort Thomas Swim Club website.

We will
have to wait until next year to see how many people are accepted off the
waiting list. In the interim, we can have
a healthy discussion. 

How do you feel with the Fort Thomas Swim Club wait list? Do you feel that the Club could afford (spatially) to grant more families
memberships? Do you think that if the waiting list works, it should not be
altered? 

There is one thing that cannot be denied. The Fort
Thomas Swim Club is an outstanding organization in the City. Every year, they
provide a summer oasis that everyone wants. The waiting list is proof of its popularity. 

Let us know your thoughts in
the comments section below.