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Aquatic center reports revenue drop, membership gains; board told of two planned closures
Summary
The Farmers Branch aquatic center reported year-to-date revenue just under $295,000 and increases in membership and program revenue, but managers said extended summer hours and eliminated after-hours rentals reduced rental income. The board was told of an October HVAC closure and a December re-plastering that will close the pool temporarily.
The Farmers Branch aquatic center ended the third quarter with just under $295,000 in revenue year to date, a decrease from the same period last year, while membership and program revenues rose, staff told the Parks and Recreation Board.
Senior recreation staff reported a membership revenue increase and a 3% membership rise to date, and program revenue of $84,644 year to date, an 18% increase compared with the same period last year. Managers attributed the overall revenue decline primarily to lower daily-pass and rental revenue.
Staff said extending daily hours from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. to 10 a.m.–7 p.m. this summer eliminated the most popular after-hours rental slot (typically 6:30–8:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays), reducing rental income. The center also reduced pavilion rentals this summer to keep more open seating available; staff said that decision also cut rental revenue.
Program highlights the board heard include 10 participants in the junior lifeguard program in June, 12 in a related walk program, 418 swim-lesson enrollments from April to June (309 residents, 109 nonresidents), 985 aqua-fitness participants over those three months and an NPS score of 91. Managers said they will wait for fourth-quarter numbers to determine whether to revert hours or make other changes for next summer.
The board was briefed on two planned closures: a full pool closure for an HVAC upgrade on Oct. 14 and a larger closure to re-plaster the pool beginning Dec. 8, 2025, with a planned reopening on Jan. 19, 2026. Staff said the Oct. 14 HVAC work requires full closure for safety and building-air reasons; re-plastering occurs roughly every eight to 10 years and the center has exceeded that cycle. Staff described communications and member accommodations: members who hold aquatic-only access will be temporarily activated to use the recreation center during closures, and staff will determine refunds or pro-rated adjustments for multi-facility members.
No new policy was adopted. Staff said they will return with fourth-quarter financials and a recommendation on whether to restore after-hours rentals or other changes for next summer.
