09/07/2026
Dear City of Sterling,
As another summer season comes to a close at the Sterling Recreation Center, we wanted to take a moment to look back at everything that made this season special.
Every summer at the Recreation Center brings something different. Some things go exactly as planned, some things definitely do not, and there are always a few surprises along the way. But when we look back at this season, what stands out most isn’t the equipment, the weather, or even the long days. It’s the people.
We welcomed back many of our returning lifeguards and were excited to bring several new guards onto the team. Watching new guards learn the ropes while our experienced guards stepped up to teach, lead, and support them was one of the highlights of the season. They spent countless hours watching the water, enforcing rules, helping swimmers, and making sure our pools remained safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Then there were our swim lessons. Day after day, our instructors worked with children of all ages and abilities, teaching them everything from putting their faces in the water to swimming confidently across the pool. There were plenty of smiles, plenty of splashing, and probably a few instructors who went home wetter than they expected. Seeing children gain confidence in the water made all those hours worthwhile.
We also had the opportunity to participate in the World’s Largest Swim Lesson, bringing swimmers together for an event focused on water safety and learning. It was another great reminder of how important aquatics programs are to our community.
Of course, no summer at the pool would be complete without our Movie in the Pool events. Families gathered on the deck, kids floated in the water, and the pool became a movie theater for the evening. Add in our pool parties and after-parties, and there was rarely a shortage of activity around the Recreation Center.
And then there was Mother Nature.
We experienced our share of wind and hail storms, forcing us to watch the skies, make difficult decisions, and occasionally close things down when conditions weren’t safe. The weather didn’t always cooperate with our plans, but our staff continued to adapt and do everything they could to keep things running safely.
As if the weather wasn’t enough, we also had our share of mechanical adventures. Pumps, filters, and new valves gave us plenty to think about throughout the season. There were times when we were troubleshooting, making repairs, waiting on parts, and hoping that the equipment would cooperate. When those new valves finally arrived and everything was working the way it was supposed to, there may have been a few celebrations that were bigger than the repair itself deserved.
And behind the scenes, there were people putting in the hours that often go unnoticed.
Cassia and Laura deserve a special thank you for the countless hours they put into making the aquatics operation work. From staff scheduling and training to swim lessons, lifeguard support, pool operations, and dealing with all the unexpected issues that come with running an aquatics facility, they spent a tremendous amount of time making sure things were taken care of. Many of those hours happened before the doors opened, after they closed, and whenever something needed to be handled. Their dedication helped keep the entire aquatics operation moving throughout the season.
Behind all of this were two groups that often don’t get nearly enough recognition: our front desk staff and janitorial staff.
Our front desk team was there every day answering phones, checking people in, answering questions, processing memberships, helping with reservations, and handling whatever unexpected situation walked through the door. They were often the first people our patrons saw and the last people they talked to before heading home. They handled the questions, the complaints, the compliments, and everything in between.
And then there was our janitorial crew. While everyone else was enjoying the pool, they were cleaning bathrooms, mopping floors, emptying trash, dealing with wet floors, and keeping the Recreation Center looking its best. It is a job that doesn’t always get noticed when it is done well—and that is exactly how it should be. Their work made it possible for everyone else to enjoy the facility.
So, as we close out another season, we want to say thank you.
Thank you to the lifeguards who watched the water.
Thank you to the instructors who taught our children.
Thank you to the returning staff who brought experience and leadership, and to the new staff who jumped in and became part of the team.
Thank you to Cassia and Laura for the countless hours, long days, and extra effort they put into keeping aquatics running.
Thank you to the front desk staff who kept things moving.
Thank you to the janitorial staff who kept things clean.
Thank you to our maintenance staff and everyone who helped keep the pumps, filters, valves, and everything else running.
And most importantly, thank you to the citizens of Sterling.
Thank you for bringing your families to the Recreation Center. Thank you for participating in our programs, attending swim lessons, swimming laps, cheering on the swim team, coming to movies, celebrating birthdays, and making the Recreation Center part of your summer.
A recreation center is more than a building, a pool, or a collection of programs. It is a place where memories are made, friendships are built, children learn new skills, families spend time together, and our community comes together.
The outdoor pool may be quiet for a little while, but the Recreation Center will continue to be here for our community. And before we know it, another summer will arrive.
We’ll open the doors, turn on the pumps, blow the whistles, teach the lessons, welcome back our returning guards, introduce another group of new staff, and get ready to do it all over again.
Until then, from everyone at the Sterling Recreation Center—
Thank you for another great season.
We appreciate your support, your patience, your participation, and most of all, the opportunity to serve the City of Sterling.
We’ll see you next season.
HERE’S TO ANOTHER SUMMER IN THE BOOKS!
Sincerely,
Mark Resch
&
Sterling Recreation Center Staff
