Roadrunner Aquatics, an independent swim club that practiced at the John S. Hillman Memorial Aquatic Center on the campus of Cal State, Bakersfield (CSUB), has announced that it has closed its doors following the end of its contract with the university.
In a press release from the university, the university offered to “extend the existing contract and rental rate with Roadrunner Aquatics through the end of the season in August to prevent any disruption to club members” in May of this year. Roadrunner Aquatics initially accepted that offer, but CSUB later decided not to proceed with the proposal.
That same release mentioned that CSUB “welcomes continued dialogue to determine whether a mutually workable path forward can be identified.”
“As Kern County’s University, CSUB recognizes the important role public aquatic facilities play in our community. The university remains willing to continue the current agreement through the end of the competitive season so that Roadrunner Aquatics members can resume using the aquatic center without interruption while longer-term arrangements are considered. The university welcomes continued dialogue to determine whether a mutually workable path forward can be identified.”
Roadrunner Aquatics shared a post on Instagram expressing their sadness about having to close the club after 19 years of operation. In the post, the club shared that they were met with “radio silence for multiple months” as they worked to negotiate a new contract. When they later received the extension paperwork, the cost was much higher, making it “financially impossible for us to continue operating.”
It is with great sadness that I announce that Roadrunner Aquatics will officially close following tomorrow’s practice. After tomorrow, we will no longer hold practices or attend swim meets.
For the past 19 years, Roadrunner Aquatics has been so much more than a swim club. We have watched countless athletes grow not only into stronger swimmers, but into confident, resilient young adults. Many of our swimmers have gone on to compete at the collegiate level, while others discovered strengths and confidence they never knew they had. It has been an incredible privilege for all of our coaches to be part of these journeys.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. We had hoped for a different outcome, but some circumstances have been beyond our control. We have done everything we could to keep the club and its mission alive.
Over the past six months, we had been reaching out to CSUB regarding this upcoming season’s contract. We were met with radio silence for multiple months as we inquired about a new contract. They told us at the end of last month they would not offer us a new contract but wouldn’t tell us why our 19 year partnership was ending without any real notice. They had said they would extend our contract for July. However we just received the extension paperwork tonight and the new monthly rate is higher than what we have previously paid by a decent amount. Unfortunately, that increase makes it financially impossible for us to continue operating.We explored other pool options throughout the area. Unfortunately due to limited pool availability and the costs none of those options would work for us. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives. We wish each of you nothing but success and happiness in whatever comes next.
Bakersfield Race Club, a separate club set to begin on September 1 of this year, also shared their thoughts on the news of the termination of club practices at CSUB. The club initially announced that they were awaiting CSUB approval to use the aquatic facility.
We at BRC have become aware of the sudden and unexpected termination of club practices at CSUB. We fully empathize with the families and swimmers who are impacted by this announcement—we know that many of you have been working hard to prepare for your end-of-season meets, and you are feeling anxious about what July will look like.
We want to reaffirm our commitment to Bakersfield Swimming, and assure you that while we have been working hard to prepare for a September 1 launch of BRC, we are actively exploring short-term options to keep your swimmers in the water as they prepare for Age Group Championships, Sectionals, and whatever other end-of-season meets they have their sights set on.
If you want to stay in the loop as things unfold, please follow us on Instagram @bakersfieldraceclub, or fill out an interest form at our website, http://bakersfieldrace.club — We will be sending out more information in the next few days.
You don’t hate public university administrators enough.
CSUB Assistant AD hired a coach for the school instead of using the interim coach who owned Roadrunner Aquatics and was beloved by the team and community, then hired him for her personal business and raised the rates for Roadrunner to an inexcusable price in order to force them out. They go completely unreachable for months then pretend that the door was always open while preaching building trust with the community. Hard to believe this is the way to build community and any criticism of Stanzi and the Moseley family goes unanswered. The school has lost all my money, that is for sure. Looks like Stanzi also already hired her family for coaching positions which was to be expected, and… Read more »
Wow, not even fishy, just blatant!
Let’s get some comments going here, I’m curious