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Hinsdale reports $91,000 season surplus, cites staffing, marketing and maintenance changes for pool gains
Summary
Village staff told the Parks and Recreation Commission that the 2024 pool season produced an estimated $91,000 surplus, driven by nonresident memberships, rentals from Hinsdale Swim Club and reduced staffing and chemical costs; capital needs include pump rebuilds and painting.
Mike (staff member) presented the Hinsdale 2024 annual aquatic report to the Parks and Recreation Commission on Feb. 11, saying the village achieved a perfect five‑star Stargard audit and an estimated $91,000 profit for the season.
The report, Mike said, credited three main revenue drivers: an increase in nonresident memberships (noted up about $12,000), higher rental revenue from an amended contract with the Hinsdale Swim Club and improved marketing to neighboring communities. “This was also mainly contributed to the Hinsdale Swim Club coming to our pool a month early,” Mike said.
Mike (staff member) highlighted operational changes that reduced costs: more precise lifeguard scheduling to match demand, introducing a chemical supplement to reduce chlorine burnoff and increased custodial service during high‑traffic weekend periods. “Our chlorine provider referenced to us that we were down on our consumption,” he said, adding that some maintenance items were one‑time or reimbursable, such as swim‑meet referee costs.
On capital and maintenance, staff reported multiple repairs and replacements in 2024: a new ADA lift and new pool stairs, installation of a delayed pool heater (permitted in 2023 and completed in 2024), sound system repairs after animal damage, and ongoing work to address water intrusion behind pool walls. The report notes the pool’s vertical turbine pumps were installed in 1992 and are maintained on a schedule of pulling and rebuilding a pump periodically rather than wholesale replacement. Mike said the village budgets roughly $20,000 per pump each year and that the proposed 2025 capital package included about $80,000—roughly $20,000 for pump work and $60,000 for pool painting and caulking.
On programming, staff said group swim lessons continued a long‑term decline while private lessons grew after schedule and marketing changes; private lessons are 30 minutes and allowed staff to serve more patrons, manager reported. Town team (the village swim team) and junior guard camp continued to grow, and the department is piloting evening lessons to respond to survey feedback. The report also noted approximately 87 seasonal staff in 2024, and a seasonal wage increase for 2025 to remain competitive with nearby municipal pools and account for a higher minimum wage.
Commissioners praised the operational performance and asked for follow‑up data on a few items: one commissioner requested a review of the drop in electricity costs, and staff agreed to investigate. Another asked for survey charts to show percentages rather than counts in future reports.
The presentation also listed two small grants: a $2,500 safety grant for equipment and a $12.50 reimbursement related to the Stargard audit. Staff said a DECO grant was received but its intended use remained under consideration.
Why it matters: The pool is fiscally important to Hinsdale’s parks system and requires ongoing capital planning; the department reported a large operational surplus for 2024 but also listed several deferred and recurring capital needs that will figure in future budgets.
Staff will incorporate survey feedback and operational findings into the 2025 season plan and report back with requested clarifications such as the electricity decrease and final 2024 closeouts.
