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Council advances contract to hire private operator for new Lima Aquatic Center
Summary
Lima City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance authorizing a contract with Sports Facilities Management LLC to operate the new Lima Aquatic Center; council members pressed the company on local hiring, community outreach and admission pricing, which the company said would be set collaboratively.
Lima City Council on March 10 passed on its first reading Ordinance 58-25, authorizing the mayor to enter a contract with Sports Facilities Management LLC to operate the new Lima Aquatic Center.
The measure drew extended questioning from council members during a presentation by Eric McCafferty of Sports Facilities Companies, who described how the company staffs and operates similar venues. The discussion focused on local hiring, how the company integrates with the community and who will set admission fees.
“Typically, we do a national search for that, but also it’s up to you guys at the end of the day who that person is,” said Eric McCafferty, introducing the company’s proposed management structure and saying a general manager would be on site. McCafferty said the company expects to recruit most day-to-day, part-time staff from the local area and provide routine training and advancement opportunities: “the vast majority of that, and then routine training programs to help them grow and flourish.”
Councilor Carla Thompson pressed about admission prices, noting the council and administration have emphasized affordability. “Has that been determined yet?” Thompson asked. McCafferty replied, “We have not finalized … but again, we work on your guys’ behalf. So we’re gonna establish those rates together. It’s collaborative.”
The ordinance passed its first reading on an 8-0 vote. The clerk completed a roll call after the presentation; Councilors Jones, Glenn, Nipper, Dixon, Gordon, Wilkerson, Thompson and Jordan recorded aye votes.
The company said it is based in Clearwater, Florida, and currently operates venues nationwide; McCafferty noted the organization runs about 78 facilities and that local staff and grassroots outreach would be central to programming and recruitment. He also described internal career paths for staff who take on larger roles within the company.
Next steps in the process, as described during the meeting, are completion of contract language by the law director and final approvals required for the contract to take effect. The clerk’s roll call and the first-reading vote mean the ordinance moves toward subsequent readings and contract finalization.
