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Gilroy council directs staff to issue RFP for interim aquatic operator; seeks one-year term with extension option
Summary
Council instructed staff to solicit bids for an interim operator to run Christopher Aquatic Center during a planned recreation assessment, preferring a one-year contract with a one-year extension and asking staff to prioritize preserving swim lessons.
The Gilroy City Council on Sept. 15 gave staff direction to release a request for proposals (RFP) to secure an interim operator for the Christopher Aquatic Center for the 2026 season, with a recommended one-year contract and an optional one-year extension.
Bryce (Recreation Division staff) summarized options that ranged from no programming to full-service operations. He said running swim lessons alone would cost the city about $206,000 (city-operated estimate) while full rec service across both pools could cost roughly $540,0002, with contractor estimates provided in staff materials near $403,000. Staff estimated annual revenue under recent participation and fee levels around $189,000, producing a net cost gap if the city internalizes operations.
"We are recommending authorization to release an RFP to provide aquatic services for the next year with a 1-year extension option at Council's discretion," Bryce said, noting the city's projections were low-confidence and that contractor proposals would supply more reliable cost data.
Council members repeatedly emphasized preserving swim lessons as the highest priority. Councilmember Fugazi, Councilmember Baracco and others urged staff to minimize service interruptions for youth lessons and to consider partnerships with the school district and Gavilan College to expand capacity. Councilmember Marks asked whether closing slides would reduce ongoing maintenance or liability costs; staff said closing slides reduces operational staffing and certification requirements and reduces near-term expenses unless structural deterioration creates hazards.
Public commenters including Alicia and Luis Ramirez urged the council to prioritize lessons and expand year-round opportunities through joint-use agreements with the school district and Gavilan College. The Parks and Recreation Commission chair and other commissioners also urged issuing the RFP to get reliable vendor cost estimates and avoid service gaps.
The council's direction was to proceed with an RFP for an interim operator (one-year term with one-year extension option), to prioritize swim lessons in the interim programming, and to continue work on a parallel, broader recreation assessment. Council did not take a formal binding vote on a contract at this meeting; staff said it will return with RFP results and a recommending contract award for council approval.
Next steps: release the RFP and return to Council with proposals and a recommendation for contract award; continue public outreach and consider joint-use options with local schools and Gavilan College when planning longer-term service delivery.
