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SwimSafe proposes one‑year turnkey contract to run New Carlisle pool; council weighs cost and capital risk
Summary
SwimSafe Pool Management pitched a one‑year, turnkey operations contract for the city pool at a base fee the company and council stated as $139,500. Councilmembers and staff debated staffing, responsibility for major repairs, volunteer liability, and how the contract would affect the pool’s projected deficit.
SwimSafe Pool Management representatives told the City of New Carlisle council they could operate the municipal pool on a one‑year contract that would cover day‑to‑day staffing, hiring, training, concessions and chemicals for a base fee of $139,500.
The company’s Carl Weinger, described himself as the firm’s business development lead, and JP Hader, vice president, said SwimSafe—founded in 2005—currently manages about 15 municipal pools across Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus and provides turnkey services including automated scheduling, lifeguard staffing, concession purchasing and routine maintenance checks. “We open the pools. We staff all the guards,” Weinger said, adding the firm provides in‑house HR, safety training and regional supervisor visits multiple times per week.
City finance staff and council members pressed SwimSafe on who would pay for major repairs. Miss Harris told council the 2025 pool season showed roughly $151,000 in expenses and about $108,000 in revenue, a subsidy of about $43,000. Weinger said the base fee covers routine operating costs but not large capital replacements: “If your motor went down…we provide a cost to you to replace that motor,” he said, explaining SwimSafe would quote parts and labor for repairs beyond normal operations.
Council members raised concerns about staffing mix, noting SwimSafe hires many high‑school and college‑age lifeguards and strives to place adult managers when possible. Weinger said the company attempts to hire locally first and re‑interview the previous year’s roster.
Council and staff also debated volunteer use, background checks and liability. SwimSafe representatives and staff cautioned that volunteers working with youth require vetted background checks and training; SwimSafe said volunteers are limited in what work they can safely perform without increasing liability.
Supporters in the audience and on council argued local fundraising and sponsorships could reduce the city subsidy and that SwimSafe’s experience could improve operations and revenue from concessions and events. Opponents said outsourcing would likely raise the pool’s gross operating cost (city staff projected a scenario nearing $190,000 including the SwimSafe fee plus remaining city expenses) and increase the projected annual deficit versus running the pool in‑house.
Council agreed the timing of a contract decision is constrained by the city budget calendar: the budget is scheduled to be introduced Nov. 17 and must be passed in early December to meet county auditor deadlines, and SwimSafe said earlier notice makes hiring easier. Council directed staff to prepare detailed budget comparisons (in‑house vs. contract scenarios) for upcoming meetings so members can weigh the tradeoffs before finalizing a contract.
