Winchester parks welcome
new Goodrich Pool manager
By BILL RICHMOND
City editor
The Winchester Parks Department this week welcomed its new pool manager, Randi Alles, a junior at Ball State University who previously worked with the Crawfordsville City Pool.
Winchester Parks Director Joni Simmons said the department is lucky to have someone with Alles' background to manage its pool. Alles has studied swimming since she was five or six years old and is certified to teach swim lessons. Simmons said Alles' intense swim background will likely help strengthen the YMCA swim program.
Alles said that while she is not very familiar with the Winchester area, she is quite impressed by the park facility and its programs.
"This park is phenomenal," she said. "I think the park is run very well. In comparison to the park where I used to work and the one on my home town, it's just so good. I was amazed by all of the programs that go on at the park. From what I can see, Joni does a great job."
Alles said her approach to the position is to run the pool just as Simmons wants it.
"I'm under Joni's direction. I'm in charge of the pool, pool maintenance and the concession stand. I'm the person who keeps it up and running and makes sure it works efficiently and there aren't any problems.
"I don't want there to be any problems," she said. "I don't think there will be."
Alles said she can teach almost anyone how to swim, and she hopes to be active and in the water as much as possible this summer. She is also interested in new ways of marketing and advertising programs at the pool and creating new controlled activities for kids to keep them busy while they are in the water.
She also oversees the staff of 22 pool workers, most of whom are lifeguards with several years of experience at the local pool.
The Goodrich Pool opens for the season, May 25 with a free day. Pool hours are Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. The pool can be rented for pool parties from 7-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Friday through Sunday from 7-9 p.m. and 9-11 p.m.
