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Brawley officials say pool repair is a priority as residents press for faster action
Summary
Residents urged the City of Brawley to accelerate repairs to the municipal pool, which has been closed nearly two years; council reiterated the city is pursuing a careful repair plan amid ongoing litigation and promised the pool would reopen by next year.
The City of Brawley is pressing to repair a community pool that has been closed for nearly two years, council members told residents after several public comments urging faster action.
Residents said the closure is disrupting swim programs and youth access to cooling facilities as summer temperatures climb. The council and staff said they are pursuing a deliberate repair plan and are constrained by ongoing litigation.
Mary Emanuele, a longtime local swim coach, told the council she has appeared multiple times in the last two years to press for a reopening and warned that without action “we are not gonna have a pool again next year either.” She said families are driving to neighboring cities so children can swim and that local youth programs face rising costs.
Linda Rubin, who also addressed the council, said the city had promised a timeline in April and that residents want clearer public updates. “If you can't tell us publicly, tell some of us what the heck is going on,” she said, noting that parents and teams have been paying fees to use pools in other towns.
Mayor Revelar said the council is treating the pool as a priority and told speakers, “we will have a pool by next year. We promise you that, and you can hold us to it.” City staff and outside counsel briefed council members in closed session earlier in the evening and provided direction to staff, according to the mayor.
City staff told the public the repair plan is being developed to ensure the work is “lasting, safe, and cost effective.” Staff said the process has included an extensive investigation and coordination with internal and external parties. Because the matter is subject to litigation, staff declined to provide further operational details at the meeting.
The council did not adopt a new timetable or a dollar amount at the meeting; staff said they will offer updates as permitted by legal counsel and when details can be publicly disclosed.
Residents who raised the pool issue requested clearer, more frequent public updates and urged the council to prioritize a resolution so local swim teams and families can resume regular use of the facility next summer.
