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Council approves one‑year agreement with Swimming Swan for Christopher High aquatics; staff directed to plan 2026 options
Summary
Council approved a one‑year contract with Swimming Swan to operate Christopher High School aquatic programming for 2025, after staff reported limited alternatives and a higher single‑year cost request from the contractor. Council directed staff to prepare in‑house or nonprofit options for 2026.
The Gilroy City Council approved a one‑year operating agreement with Swimming Swan to run the Christopher High School aquatic center for the 2025 season, after staff said the organization was the only viable provider available on the required schedule.
Staff told council that, after council direction in February to pursue a one‑year option, Swimming Swan was willing to operate for 2025 but sought a $125,000 increase over the price reflected in its three‑year proposal. Staff said it pressed the contractor for detail and also reached out to other proposers and the YMCA. The YMCA told staff it could not safely deliver a 2025 season within the required timeframe.
City staff reported they had attempted to negotiate but were not able to bring Swimming Swan to a lower one‑year price. The packet contained attendance figures and program counts for prior seasons: in 2024 the city documented 1,883 group and private swim lesson registrations (staff sheet). Public commenters representing Swimming Swan said the vendor provides staffing, training, equipment and community‑based lifeguards drawn largely from Gilroy and Morgan Hill.
Council debated options at length. Several members said they were troubled by the limited time to re‑create an in‑house program and by inconsistent figures in vendor communications; others emphasized the safety importance of continuing swim lessons. A motion to authorize a one‑year agreement with Swimming Swan passed 6–1. Council directed staff to begin immediate planning to develop alternatives for 2026 — including in‑house operation, nonprofit partnership or a new procurement — and to return to council with options by early fall.
