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Needles reports rising golf rounds, aquatics revenue spike and busy spring events
Summary
Golf pro JJ Deleó reported year‑over‑year increases in rounds and highlighted upcoming tournaments; staff said aquatics revenues at Jesus Park are up 111%, the pool will open weekends in March and fully in April, and the city is using cannabis tax dollars for major roadwork.
Parks and Recreation staff and Golf Pro JJ Deleó told the commission Feb. 18 that golf rounds and related revenue have increased year over year and that a busy spring of events is planned for Needles.
"The course looks the best it's ever looked," Golf Pro JJ Deleó said, noting steady month‑to‑month growth in rounds through the first six months of the fiscal year and crediting grounds crew performance. Deleó outlined upcoming events including a Route 66 teen tournament on March 7, a golf clinic on March 21 and larger tournaments in April and May.
Staff reported that Jesus Park aquatics revenues are up 111 percent year over year and said the pool will open weekends in March (weekends only in March, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. initially) with seven‑day operations beginning in April; staff said the first full day opening is March 7 and the season pass is $180 while daily entry is $20. The record shows the city plans for 800 season passes this year and that the city heavily subsidizes recreation programs, with staff stating the city covers roughly 92 percent of residents' fees.
The commission also heard that staff hired a part‑time AFO/park ranger (retired sheriff Dave Smith) to support aquatics enforcement and that Jack Smith Park work and field improvements are underway, supported in part by a $9,000 contribution from Needles Unified School District for infield dirt on local softball fields. State softball and baseball competitions are scheduled to be played in Needles in May.
In a separate presentation, staff noted that $1.37 million in cannabis tax revenues have been allocated to a multi‑year pavement management program; the presenter described the program as a 15‑year plan and said about 18 miles of roadwork have been completed in the last five years.
No policy changes or new fee ordinances were adopted at the meeting; the updates were informational and for the commission’s oversight of operations and upcoming events.
