September AFO Course in Arvada: NRPA Aquatic Facility Operator Certification

Fall and winter can be quieter on deck, but they are not slower behind the scenes. Indoor pools, recreation centers, hotels, resorts, therapy pools, and year-round aquatic facilities still need clean water, reliable systems, safe operations, and trained staff who understand what happens beyond the pool edge.

Anderson Aquatics, in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association, is offering an Aquatic Facility Operator Course on September 24-25, 2026, at Apex Recreation Center in Arvada, Colorado. This two-day NRPA AFO course is designed for aquatic professionals who operate, maintain, supervise, or manage public and private aquatic facilities.

Course details for September 24-25, 2026

The September AFO course will take place over two full training days.

Course detail	Information
Course	NRPA Aquatic Facility Operator Course
Presented by	Anderson Aquatics in partnership with NRPA
Location	Apex Recreation Center, Arvada, CO
Dates	Thursday and Friday, September 24-25, 2026
Time	8:30 a.m. MT to 5:00 p.m. MT each day
Certification	Five-year AFO certification upon successful completion of the course and open-book exam
CEUs	Continuing Education Units are available

This September AFO Course in Arvada CO NRPA Aquatic Facility Operator Certification is especially timely for facilities preparing for fall and winter operations. Seasonal changes often bring adjusted staffing, indoor programming, preventive maintenance, and renewed focus on health code readiness.

What the AFO certification covers

The National Recreation and Park Association’s Aquatic Facility Operator program is one of the most recognized training programs for swimming pool and aquatic facility operations. The course goes well beyond a basic review of pool rules.

Participants learn how the major parts of an aquatic facility work together, including:

• Water chemistry

  
  

Understanding balance, testing, treatment, and how chemistry affects swimmer comfort, equipment, and public health.

• Disinfection

  
  

Reviewing how sanitizers work and what operators need to monitor to maintain healthy water.

• Mechanical systems

  
  

Learning the role of pumps, filters, circulation systems, chemical feeders, and related equipment.

• Facility operations

  
  

Connecting daily routines, documentation, staffing, inspections, and response procedures.

• Healthy pools and safety

  
  

Building practical habits that reduce risk and support a safer environment for guests and staff.

For many facility teams, the most valuable part of the course is how it connects technical knowledge to daily decisions. A water reading is not just a number. A pump room detail is not just equipment. Each item affects how safely and consistently the facility can operate.

Water testing is one of the daily skills reinforced in operator training.

Who should attend the course

The AFO course is built for people who carry responsibility for aquatic facility operation, management, maintenance, or supervision. It is a strong fit for:

• Aquatic directors

• Recreation directors

• Water park directors

• Pool managers

• Aquatic supervisors

• Resort, hotel, and motel staff

• Maintenance staff assigned to pools or spas

• Any team member responsible for operating or managing a public or private aquatic facility

  
  

The course can also help newer supervisors build confidence with technical topics, while giving experienced operators a structured review of current practices and standards.

For Colorado operators, there is another practical reason to attend. This AFO course meets the requirement of Colorado State Health Code 4.9. That makes it especially useful for facilities that need qualified staff in place for compliance, inspections, and safe year-round operations.

What happens after the course and exam

At the end of the course, participants take an open-book exam. Those who successfully complete the course and exam receive a five-year certification issued by the National Certification Board in coordination with the National Recreation and Park Association.

That five-year credential gives facilities a clear way to document staff training. It also gives operators a stronger foundation for handling everyday questions, such as:

• Why is the chemical reading changing through the day?

• What should staff check when water clarity drops?

• How does circulation affect treatment?

• What records should be kept and reviewed?

• When should a supervisor act before a small issue becomes a larger one?

  
  

Good aquatic operations depend on habits. Training helps those habits become consistent, measurable, and easier to teach across a team.

Mechanical systems are a key part of safe and effective aquatic operations.

Why fall and winter are a smart time to train

September is a useful point in the operating year. Summer programs may be winding down, but fall and winter bring their own demands. Indoor swim lessons, school groups, lap swim, therapy use, competitive teams, and community programming can keep aquatic facilities active for months.

This is also a practical time to prepare staff for:

• Seasonal maintenance planning

• Indoor air and water quality concerns

• Updated procedures before winter programming

• Staff transitions after summer

• Inspection readiness

• More consistent documentation

  
  

A trained operator can spot patterns faster and ask better questions. That matters when a facility needs to protect water quality, manage equipment, and keep guests safe without guessing.

Past participants have praised the instruction as well. One attendee shared, “Brad is an awesome instructor! I learned so much that I wasn’t aware of in the field I currently work in.” For professionals already working in aquatics, that kind of practical learning can make the course especially valuable.

Facility safety includes both trained people and well-maintained equipment.

A practical credential for aquatic facility professionals

The September AFO Course in Arvada gives aquatic professionals a focused way to prepare for the responsibilities that come with operating a pool, spa, water park, hotel pool, or recreation facility. Over two days, participants review the systems, standards, and daily decisions that support safe, healthy aquatic environments.

For teams preparing for fall and winter, this course offers more than a certificate. It gives operators a clearer understanding of how to manage the facility with confidence, consistency, and care.

Register at www.andersonaquatics.com and select the September 24-25 2026 AFO course under the Course Registration tab.