P&R THIS MONTH.

Long gone are the days when a few line dividers, a boring rectangular pool, and the shrill announcement from a lifeguard's whistle to signify adult swim amounted to aquatic programming. Today's savvy swimmer wants -- and demands -- more.

"The aquatics profession is changing at a rapid rate," says Sandra Youngblood, CLP, guest editor of this month's Parks & Recreation magazine. "Pools are no longer just for lap swimming. They must be fun for the entire family."

Youngblood knows that of which she speaks. Since beginning her aquatics career as a lifeguard in 1975, she has been involved in all aspects -- from teaching to managing to upper administration -- of aquatic programming. For the past three years, she has worked as assistant director of the Fort Worth (TX) Parks and Community Services Department, and will serve as educational chair for the 1999 National Recreation and Park Association National Aquatic Conference, March 5-10, in Mesa, Arizona.

Each year, NRPA recognizes the outstanding aquatic achievements of five cities across the country by granting them the coveted NRPA Excellence in Aquatics Award. Author Mark Richwine, parks and recreation administrator for the city of Tempe (AZ) Community Services Department, provides P&R readers with a closer look at what each of the chosen communities has done to be deemed a winner. Richwine, in compiling his research, noted, "The competition for this award is quite keen, and all the applicants represent the cutting edge in the delivery of aquatic programs, facilities, and services. It is quite a difficult task to select only one winner in each category" (p. 46).

As municipalities look forward to the next century, how can they get the most aquatic bang for their buck and still remain financially responsible? Ask Ron Atlas, whose Chicago-based company, Paragon-Aquatech Ltd., has built and renovated parks to address an evolving marketplace for the past quarter-century. In "Developing Waterparks for the 21st Century," which begins on page 52, Atlas will share with the rest of us some of the knowledge he and his firm have earned through many, many years of hard work and headaches.

"Usually with a confused stare," replies Caryn J. Collopy, when asked how most people react after she has told them that she's been an integral force in promoting and hosting the U.S. Nationals and World Championships of underwater hockey for the past two years. Underwater hockey is, indeed, a real sport, Collopy assures us -- it's even recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee. And not only is it a real sport, it's a growing sport. Today, underwater hockey is played in more than 20 countries on six continents; in the United States, it's played in some 20 cities. Collopy, who runs facility operations for the Aquatic Center at San Jose State University, says that although her sport may not be as popular as competitive swimming or water polo, it still has a lot to offer an aquatic facility (p. 56).

And finally, aquatic professionals face a number of challenges when operating an indoor swimming pool as part of their recreation center, says Sheri L. Endsley, district superintendent for the city of Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department. The first discovery we need to make, says Endsley, is that we can never be all things to all people. She encourages aquatic professionals to focus on finding out what their pool was designed for and what their community wants (p. 64).