Recreation superintendent reports strong summer programs but aquatics staffing forces early pool closures

Recreation Superintendent Yvonne told the commission Aug. 20 that the department had a busy summer and strong participation across programs but that pool season closed Aug. 9 because of staff availability and the city’s seasonal-employment limits. "We are on a 90 day seasonal schedule," Yvonne said, adding that many seasonal employees returned to school in August and that at the time of the meeting the department had only five eligible employees available to operate pools. "You got to have a manager, you have to have cashiers, you have to have lifeguards. Without them, you can't open," she said.

Yvonne reported that the department ran four sessions of swim lessons this summer with 646 participants and that summer day camps enrolled 324 participants over six weeks, generating roughly $31,000 in revenue for that single program. The aquatics and recreation staff opened pools May 26 and closed Aug. 9; aquatics staff completed four lifeguard-certification courses and staffed weekend pool parties that sold out by mid-June.

Why it matters: The staffing constraints and the 90-day employment rule limit the city's ability to keep pools open later in August even when high temperatures continue. Commissioners asked whether leagues and users were notified about fee and schedule changes; staff said leagues were charged old fees for seasons that began before the July 1 fee change and that new fees would apply to fall seasons.

Next steps: Recreation staff will continue to recruit for seasonal positions and to plan fall programming; commissioners thanked staff for high program turnout and the intensive hiring and training effort over spring and summer.