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New aquatic center posts strong admissions despite delayed opening and staffing challenges
Summary
Parks staff reported the new aquatic center opened June 14, generated about $129,000 in admissions despite missing early season weeks, averaged roughly 200 daily admissions, and required roughly double the seasonal staffing of the prior facility.
Patrick, parks staff, summarized the inaugural season for the new O'Fallon Aquatic Center, saying the facility opened June 14, missed the first few prime weeks of the season, yet still posted about $129,000 in admissions revenue — higher than comparable figures for the old Memorial Pool. "Even though we missed 2 prime weeks of the summer season, A $129,000 is well above what we had at the old facility," Patrick said.
Staff said the center closed for the season on Labor Day and that weather and construction delays reduced available swim‑lesson weeks in June, the department's prime instruction month. Patrick said the department held 151 group swim lessons and 59 one‑on‑one lessons this season and that summer‑camp groups also used the facility daily, adding several hundred swimmers on peak days. He said the average daily admission was about 200 people and that the largest single day was Juneteenth with just over 450 admissions.
The larger facility required substantially more seasonal staff than the old pool. Patrick said the department essentially doubled lifeguards, pool managers, admissions and concession staff to meet operational needs; some weekday closures late in the season were due to staff losses as college and high‑school employees returned to school. Staff told the board they expected pass sales to rise next year once schedules stabilize and full‑season passes are offered.
Patrick also said the department sold one medium pavilion this year for about $112,000 and plans to purchase a second pavilion near the playground in spring, working toward three total pavilions that had been in the original budget. He said the department switched its registration software earlier in the year, which delayed some final reconciliations of admissions and pass numbers.
Board members and the public asked for resident/nonresident breakdowns of admissions; Patrick said the point‑of‑sale system can track that and staff can provide the figures when requested. There were no motions tied to the presentation; the board accepted the report and moved to other business.
