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Parks board approves 2025 aquatics price changes, ESD pledge to fund weekend 'Stay Cool Bloomington' days; fee‑waiver policy updated
Summary
Board approved modest pool price adjustments, a new twilight rate and free July 4 admission; ESD pledged $100,000 to fund weekend Stay Cool days using AccuWeather RealFeel criteria, and the board updated the aquatics fee‑waiver policy to target Bloomington residents tied to the school meals program.
Bloomington Parks and Recreation staff recommended and the Parks Board approved changes to the department’s aquatics pricing for 2025, a weekend‑focused heat‑relief program funded in part by a $100,000 pledge from ESD, and updates to the department’s pool fee‑waiver policy.
Chris Hamrick, facility manager, told the board rising costs and seasonal attendance patterns required price adjustments and new offerings to balance access and sustainability. He said the department added a twilight price for late‑day admission and simplified some rates. “It costs about $340 per hour for Bryant Park pool to be open,” Chris said, citing operating expense that drives the need to maintain cost recovery while keeping pools accessible.
Stay Cool Bloomington ESD has pledged $100,000 to support Stay Cool Bloomington, a program that funds free public‑admission days at city pools. For 2025 the Parks Department will limit Stay Cool free days to weekends when AccuWeather’s RealFeel at 2 p.m. is forecast at 90 degrees or higher; staff said the weekend focus helps with staffing and budget predictability. The board also approved keeping July 4 as a free‑admission day; historically that day was supported by the Parks Foundation, staff said.
Fee‑waiver policy update The board approved an updated aquatics fee‑waiver policy designed to make subsidies clearer and easier to use. Sato Kito (sports division) described the key changes: “The main changes we're making is number 1, it has to be Bloomington resident. Number 2, tied into, school meal program. Number 3, registering online portion. And number 4 is updating the word from parents, guardian to supervisors.” The updated policy ties eligibility to Bloomington residency and free/reduced school meal enrollment, adds online registration, and clarifies supervisory language.
Board members raised operational concerns including August attendance declines (Chris said Bridal Park Pool ran a $48,000 deficit in August 2024) and staffing logistics for lap swim and lesson schedules. Staff said the department will continue to refine schedules and monitor program costs and participation as part of upcoming master planning and the April facility condition assessments.
Actions taken The board voted unanimously to approve the 2025 aquatics price schedule and the updated aquatics fee‑waiver policy. Staff will use ESD funds to cover Stay Cool weekend entries and to support fee‑waiver requests to the extent funds remain available; if ESD funds are exhausted the department will cover waiver costs as it has historically.
Ending Staff said the department will continue monitoring attendance, cost recovery and equity impacts and will report back as master planning and facility assessments progress.
