Committees back fee changes and season passes at Gallagher Pool, citing safety and crowd-control concerns

The Administrative Services Committee voted to forward proposed fee changes for Gallagher Pool for the 2025 season after the city’s Public Works commissioner described recurring crowd-control and safety problems.

Craig Rebbior, Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and Recreation, told committee members the pool has seen "arguments, there's scuffles" and that police have been called to respond to incidents involving unsupervised children. Rebbior said the city plans a $2 per-person daily fee (with under-4 free), seniors (62 and older) and veterans exempted; a family season pass would be offered at $75 and include laminated passes with family names. He described an electronic check-in process to be used at the facility.

Councilors who spoke in discussion supported the change. Councilor Gozick described a history of calls to police and fire departments and said the new structure previously helped reduce incidents at the ice rink. Councilor Golzet, speaking from long-term personal observation, said the pool had become overcrowded and supported the proposal as a way to restore a safer experience for families and regular users.

The committee recorded a motion to forward the fee changes to the full council for final action. Rebbior said the changes would eliminate previously designated "family hours" by making all open hours family hours under the new fee structure.

Why it matters: The change would introduce a user fee for an existing public recreational facility to address safety and supervision problems and to formalize entry/identification practices for families and frequent users.

Next steps: The measure will be forwarded to the full council for a vote to adopt the fee schedule for the 2025 season.