I Love Guts!

Ok, so yesterday was a great day on the job.  It may sound a little shady, but honestly, the best part of the day was getting to see the 'guts' of the building.  I love big pieces of equipment and learning how they work so, when I'm in the presence of cable TV, I thoroughly enjoy shows like How It's Made on the Discovery Channel and Modern Marvels on the History Channel. Unfortunately, I'm too cheap to pay for cable so I don't get to seem them much. However, I digress.  Getting to see the heavy duty equipment that keeps the facility going was fun.  They have very large evap coolers, which provide the pleasantly cool temperature in the building.  I also got to see the big water heaters.  I learned that the Center has a separate water heater for the Teaching Kitchen because the water needs to be set at 140 degrees for sanitation reasons. This is a little toasty for folks taking showers so the water heaters supplying water to locker rooms and restrooms are set at a lower temperature.  

Foothills also has a heated lap pool outside.  The water for the pool passes through a large boiler and is sent back to the pool to keep the pool at a comfortable temperature so guests may swim all year long.  The crummy thing about the heated pool is the gas used to operate the boiler costs thousands of dollars each month through the fall, winter, and spring.  In an effort to reduce this cost, the Center purchased a (very expensive) pool cover to help keep the heat in.  Just yesterday, the staff was discussing how the pool cover has saved the Center so much money, it's already paid for itself and more.  Whoever came up with that idea ought to get a big pat on the back!

Finally, though it has nothing to do with 'guts', my other favorite thing about yesterday was that I got to give tours to people interested in learning about the Center.  I really enjoy giving tours.  I like to meet new people, find out what they're interested in, and give them great customer service.   The entire staff shares the responsibility of giving tours and I have already been on a tour with nearly every full-time staff member.  Each adds a personal touch and does their best to promote the facility.  I will be happy to continue contributing by helping with tours, too.  

I did many other wonderful things yesterday, but I suppose I'll save them for another blog.  :)