Recreation board endorses reduced hours for Great Mills pool; county adds $50,000 subsidy

The St. Mary’s County Recreation and Parks Board on April 3 endorsed a staff recommendation to reduce weekday mid‑day hours at the Great Mills pool to lower operating losses. The board’s vote came after staff presented attendance, revenue and expense data and a set of operational changes proposed to begin in the fall season when the pool’s dome is removed.

The change responds in part to a $50,000 allocation the county commissioners included in the recommended FY2009 budget to subsidize the pool. Recreation staff said the proposal — which trims about 22 operating hours per week and shifts morning weekday programming to Monday, Wednesday and Friday only — would save roughly $23,167 in personnel costs over the season. A board member moved to endorse the proposal and the motion passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: the pool carries high fixed costs for utilities and staffing. Staff told the board that personnel and utilities make up the majority of the facility’s expenditures and that energy costs are a large driver of the operating deficit. Commissioners’ one‑time subsidy combined with the proposed hours cut would reduce, but not eliminate, the pool’s annual operating loss.

Staff presentation and figures Arthur Shepherd, Recreation Division Manager, described the facility’s size and programming and laid out recent attendance and financial figures. He said the pool is a 25‑meter by 25‑yard facility and gave its capacity in gallons. He noted heavy utility bills during winter months: “For instance, in January, you have a $17,000 propane gas bill to keep the water at 81 degrees and the air inside the dome warm enough to be comfortable.”

Shepherd and other staff showed attendance trends: FY2006 attendance was about 38,559; FY2007 attendance declined to roughly 33,500; through the comparable period in FY2008 staff reported about 1,600 more visits than the prior year for the same months. Revenues vary through the year, staff said, and a large portion of lane rental income is driven by swim teams. Staff also reported that personnel costs represent over 50% of total expenditures and utilities about 33%.

The proposal and expected impacts Staff proposed changing the weekday midday schedule from being open 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Monday through Friday to a reduced schedule that opens early (6 a.m.) only Monday, Wednesday and Friday and otherwise opens at 2 p.m., keeping evening hours the same. Staff estimated an annual personnel savings of about $23,167 from that change while noting the cut would not materially reduce utility costs because the pool systems (pumps, blowers and water heaters) would continue to operate to maintain the facility year‑round.

Staff stressed the approach aims to preserve the highest‑demand hours (afternoons and evenings), reduce low‑use mid‑day hours (average about 10 users per day during the 10 a.m.–2 p.m. block) and stabilize staffing patterns to reduce vacancy and turnover problems.

Programming, safety and revenue notes Staff emphasized the program mix at the pool: lap swimmers, community swim teams (including Great Mills Aquatics Club), school teams, swim lessons, adaptive aquatic therapy and Special Olympics practices. Birthday party reservations and other event offerings were described as additional revenue sources because they introduce families to the facility and generate incremental fees.

Staff also reported two vandalism incidents to the dome this season; one incident caused a short shutdown when a light standard fell and created holes in the dome, requiring repairs before reopening. Staff said recent security upgrades, including an alarm system in the bathhouse, have reduced break‑ins.

Board action A board member moved to accept the staff proposal to shorten weekday mid‑day hours and endorse the operational changes. The motion carried on a voice vote with members saying “aye.” The board’s endorsement will be forwarded as part of the department’s recommendations tied to the FY2009 operating plan.

What board members flagged Members asked about alternate savings such as reducing water temperature by one degree; staff said a one‑degree reduction can lower energy costs roughly 10 percent but that the American Red Cross guidance places acceptable pool temperatures between 78°F and 82°F and that some user groups (adaptive programs, seniors, swim lessons) prefer warmer water. Members also asked whether permanent indoor construction would materially reduce utility costs; staff said a permanent indoor aquatics center requires large capital investment and that utilities would still be significant for a year‑round indoor facility.

Next steps Staff said the proposed hours change would be implemented beginning in September when the dome is removed; pass holders who buy a seasonal or annual pass in the fall would be notified of the new hours. The department will continue marketing efforts and programming changes to increase participation and offset the operating deficit.