Solvang appoints ad hoc committee for proposed San Valley Aquatic Center and approves summer swim program

The Solvang City Council on April 13 approved two separate but related steps aimed at expanding aquatic access: it appointed two councilmembers to an ad hoc committee to negotiate a joint-use agreement for the proposed San Valley Aquatic Center, and it authorized staff to develop a seven-week summer community swim program and to hire seasonal lifeguard/swim-instructor staff.

Ad hoc committee: Council appointed Councilmember Elizabeth Arona and Councilmember Mark Fonte as Solvang's two representatives to an interjurisdictional ad hoc committee that will negotiate a joint-use agreement with the San Valley Union High School District, the City of Builtin and the San Valley Community Aquatics Foundation. Staff said the city has committed $500,000 to the project and that cumulative fundraising across partners is about $5.5 million; Lisa Palmer of the Community Aquatics Foundation said the district will appoint its representatives at an April 21 meeting and that the group hopes to reach agreement within 60 to 90 days.

Community swim program: Parks & Recreation Director Jenny McClur presented a proposal to reopen the high school pool for a summer program running June 15 through July 31. Proposed hours are recreational swim Monday'Saturday 1' p.m. and swim lessons Monday'Friday 3— p.m.; staffing would include one lead lifeguard/swim instructor (range 119, step 3) and up to six lifeguard/instruction staff (range 105, step 1). Jenny described an initial cost estimate of roughly $60,000 for program personnel and operating expenses before anticipated participant fees and grant offsets; she said the two cities would split costs 50/50 and staff intends to seek grant support.

Why it matters: the joint-use agreement will set schedules, maintenance responsibilities and cost-sharing terms for a multi-million-dollar facility; the summer program would expand near-term access to supervised swim time and lessons while the larger aquatic center is being pursued.

Quotes: "Having this in place helps us with our fundraising," said Lisa Palmer of the Community Aquatics Foundation, urging timely negotiation of joint-use terms so the foundation can pursue grants and voter support. "We're thinking maybe $60,000" for initial program costs, Parks & Recreation Director Jenny McClur said, noting the estimate before registration revenue and grants.

Actions: Council voted 5-0 to appoint the ad hoc committee members and 5-0 to authorize staff to implement the summer swim program and to approve the lifeguard/swim-instructor job descriptions and salary ranges.

Next steps: the ad hoc members will meet with district and foundation representatives; staff will refine program costs, confirm facility use agreements with the high school and begin seasonal hiring and registration work.