It's about building relationships for new aquatic center director
Sports reporter
For Rachel Kostner it's about building relationships.
As the director of two indoor pools and an outside water park for 10 months at Wichita's Northwest YMCA, she did just that.
She also oversaw the largest swim program in the city, and had time to meet wonderful people while doing so.
She began building new relationships June 2 when she became the first indoor aquatics director in Marion.
With the construction of Marion's first indoor pool, USD 408 was in need of someone to oversee the day-to-day operations of the pool. Kostner said she also is ready to roll up her sleeves and do anything that is needed to help make the pool run as smooth as possible.
"I wouldn't ask my employees to do anything I wouldn't do," the Tabor College graduate said.
While implementing programs at the pool and overseeing them, she also will be helping with swim lessons, working with lifeguards, and anything else that is needed.
Kostner, who said she has lived in several places in Kansas and calls south central Kansas her home, lives in Peabody and no longer has to commute to Wichita.
"I'm loving the commute," she said of the 15-minute drive.
'Falling into place'
Kostner said she heard of the bond issue in April 2005 that would bring a performing arts center, gymnasium, and indoor pool to Marion. Even then she knew the job would be to her liking, but didn't know when the project would be completed.
She went on with her life, but saw an ad for the job in the paper a few months ago and jumped at the chance.
"It just kind of fell into place," Kostner said.
And while the aquatics center will not be fully completed until later in the summer, Kostner said the swimmers who have come have had a great time.
"I think things are going well," she said of the first two weeks. "There is a good amount of community support."
For now Kostner is getting to know people in the area and trying new ideas to help make the pool a success. She works closely with USD 408 superintendent Lee Leiker to help get the pool off the ground with fresh ideas.
"The first year is going to be bumpy. We're in kind of a developing stage," Kostner said. "But we are going to do our best to make it the best we can."
Kostner said there will be lap swimming possibly five days a week, and they are looking into aerobics classes in the morning, and working the USD 408 physical education curriculum into the pool schedule among other ideas.
She said while hours change depending on the season, the pool could be open from about 5:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. However, swim lessons and other private lessons will take up a lot of the morning hours. Kostner said she hopes to have at least a few hours in the evening every day for public swim.
And while the scale may not be as big in Marion, Kostner said the same principals at the YMCA apply.
"I have a passion for children, and it's always fun to enter a new community," she said. "It's been a little nerve-wracking, but I'm excited. I feel really blessed the community has put this together so that I can have this opportunity."
