Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Atascadero approves summer aquatics program at high school pool; hires coordinator, seeks D20 funding
Summary
Council approved a summer aquatics program to run June 16–Aug. 8 at Atascadero High School pool, directed staff to hire an aquatics coordinator and noted estimated general-fund costs of $41,000 offset by $30,000 in revenues; funding may be supported by sales tax measure D20.
The Atascadero City Council unanimously approved staff’s plan to resume city-run aquatics programming at the Atascadero High School pool, scheduling lessons, lap swim and recreational swim June 16–Aug. 8 and moving to hire an aquatics coordinator to manage operations.
Recreation staff described a long-standing community demand for swim lessons and open swim. Recreation supervisor Lorice Lopez said the city had relied on the high school pool historically and that the new Atascadero High School aquatic center, completed in spring 2024, allows the city to restart programming. “This summer, we are working to kick off the new aquatics program beginning June 16 and running through August 8,” Lopez said.
Staff told council the program would offer parent-and-me classes, swim lessons (levels from parent/child through advanced), lap swim and open rec swim. The initial schedule under negotiation is Monday through Friday afternoons; staff explained the school district had provided the Monday–Friday window and that weekend hours could be considered in future years if staffing improves.
The city plans to recruit a full-time seasonal aquatics coordinator to oversee lifeguard training, lesson scheduling, safety compliance and operations. Staff said the coordinator will help establish local lifeguard certification pathways with the district and work to build staffing capacity; staff noted lifeguard certification requirements and training costs have historically constrained programs.
On costs, staff presented an estimated general fund expenditure of $41,000 and offsetting revenues of about $30,000 for the 2025 summer program. Lopez said the program is identified as eligible for D20 sales-tax funds. Councilmembers praised the partnership with the Atascadero Unified School District. School board trustee V. Paris said: “We couldn’t do this on our own, and I think this is a wonderful way of how our different organizations and community works together so well.”
Public commenters asked the city to consider later lesson times for working parents and to protect youth water-polo and club use. Recreation staff said they will work with the high school on scheduling to accommodate school teams and youth programs and noted they plan to refine hours as staff capacity increases.
The council voted to approve the aquatics implementation plan and associated staffing and budget actions on a unanimous roll call.
