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Parks staff report enrollment gains, staffing and payment system issues in Q4
Summary
Deputy director Tina Dela Rosa told commissioners the department saw growth in swim enrollments but staffing limits and a credit-card system change reduced fitness membership counts; seasonal events and partner programs continued to attract participants.
Department staff told the Parks and Recreation Commission on Aug. 14 that the department’s fourth-quarter (FY 2024–25) recreation report showed mixed results: growth in some swim and camp programs, but staffing challenges and a payment-system transition that temporarily reduced fitness membership counts.
Tina Dela Rosa, deputy director of parks and recreation, said aquatics enrollment grew in April and May and that nearly 1,400 people enrolled across learn-to-swim and related programs in the period. "There was almost 1,400 people enrolled during this period, across all age groups," Dela Rosa said. But she said the start of summer was weaker than earlier years because staffing shortages forced the department to offer fewer morning and evening lessons.
Dela Rosa told commissioners fitness center membership fell to about 2,500 in the quarter from roughly 4,100 in the previous quarter; the department attributed the drop in part to a recent change in the credit-card processing system that required canceling and re-creating many recurring memberships. "We had to somewhat cancel or eliminate everybody's memberships... so we're now once again rebuilding that up," Dela Rosa said.
Why it matters: Aquatics, youth sports and community events are primary services the department provides to residents and partner organizations. Staffing and payment-processing disruptions can affect participation, revenue and access to lessons and classes.
Other highlights in the report: seasonal programs (splash camp, Gator swim academy, junior lifeguards), an inaugural Easter Splash Fest with more than 220 participants, a spring Fit 5K with about 950 registered runners and nearly 300 spectators, and sold-out new "after-dark" adult events (volleyball and dodgeball). Youth fundamentals reached capacity quickly; partner organizations including AYSO and the Aztecs football program continued to use city fields and facilities.
Commissioners’ questions and next steps: Commissioners praised staff for outreach and volunteer partnerships and asked for a follow-up on whether swim hours curtailed by staffing have been fully reinstated. Dela Rosa said pool hours were reinstated but not necessarily to prior full capacity because lifeguard staffing remains constrained.
Ending: Commissioners voted to receive the recreation-divisions quarterly report and asked staff to return with any additional follow-up about partner organization processes and staffing plans.
