Dear Tiger Splash families, 

Last night the Tiger Splash Board voted unanimously to cancel the 2020 summer swim season. This was a sobering and thoughtful decision by the Board. We are grateful for your patience and support as we, the Tiger Splash Board, have navigated our way through this unfamiliar season. In late March we communicated that the City of Dripping Springs could not open Founder’s Pool until May 14th, thereby shortening our swim season. We later announced our decision that if Tiger Splash could not have use of the pool by June 1st, we would need to cancel the season. We have patiently waited for the City to decide the opening date. At this week’s City Council meeting, the Council voted to delay opening Founder’s pool until June 29th. This would give the city officials enough time to hire and train staff in accordance with COVID-19 occupancy and distancing protocol, and unfortunately not enough time for Tiger Splash to salvage a reasonable season. 

The decision to cancel our season was not made lightly. Though it is possible the City could accelerate this opening date in future council meetings, we discussed all available options for practices and meets and quickly realized the extraordinary requirements necessary for a safe and healthy swim season for all, especially with such a large swim team. We truly understand the magnitude of our decision on you and your swimmers; collectively the Board has 15 swimmers of our own. As was stated at the City Council meeting, opening Founder’s Pool is a lifeline for so many in this era of “shelter-in-place.” 

Like all of us, our coaches are experiencing the same disappointment about the fate of our 2020 swim season. All three coaches, James, Emily, and Steven, have been supportive and flexible throughout this decision. 

Moving forward we are prepared to refund, in full, your registration fees. As we have never done this before, we ask for your patience in processing the large number of registrations. You will receive an email next week detailing the process for your refund. In light of this, the Board asks you consider donating a portion of your refund to a scholarship fund for our college-aged coaches and for our seniors. Two years ago, Tiger Splash created a scholarship fund and has awarded several scholarships. We now have the unique opportunity to strengthen this fund for our current coaches as well as swimmers of the Class of 2020—and beyond. If you would like to donate to this fund, you will be given the opportunity to decide your donation. We remain committed to providing an amazing recreational swim experience for your swimmer and look forward to seeing you and your swimmers in 2021. 

Please be on the lookout for future emails on the refund and the scholarship opportunities for seniors. 

Sincere Regards, 
Tiger Splash Board