Members of the Parks & Recreation ad hoc committee updated the commission on discussions with the mayor and a councilmember about options for a community aquatic facility.

Ad hoc members said they met with Mayor Gilman and Councilmember Whitman to review five options, including using an Ojai Unified School District pool at Nordoff, upgrading a city site or pursuing a city-owned community pool. The committee reported that the council authorized a $10,000 contract with Lane 4, a consultant experienced in community-pool feasibility, to analyze options for shared use and operation and to return findings in roughly 90 days.

Councilwoman Leslie Rule clarified actions taken at the recent council meeting: the council removed one option (a separate city pool as the sole focus of a Lane 4 study) and instead directed Lane 4 to study shared-use options, with a return expected in late February. She said the council asked that the Park & Rec ad hoc committee be included in the process and that staff and council work out the engagement and outreach details.

Public commenters and commissioners stressed that the Parks & Rec ad hoc committee should be part of the consultant’s outreach and methodology. Speakers described operational concerns—temperature preferences for community versus school use, lane availability, and the need to plan for operating deficits. Larry Steingold and other public commenters suggested fundraising and realistic budgeting, noting prior community efforts and the risk of ongoing operating cost shortfalls.

Commissioners requested a copy of the Lane 4 contract and clearer information on the consultant’s outreach plan. Staff said the contract had been authorized but not yet executed and that the Feb. 26 meeting is a tentative date for the Lane 4 presentation. The commission agreed to stay engaged and to coordinate ad hoc work with council staff and Lane 4 when the study is released.