Petaluma reopens Kavanaugh Pool after maintenance; staff outline phased schedule, pricing and free-lesson partnerships

The Petaluma Recreation, Parks and Music Commission heard an update on the recently reopened Kavanaugh Pool on Feb. 18, when staff described maintenance work, new safety equipment, a phased program schedule and changes to pricing.

Tara Deffley, the city’s aquatics supervisor, told the commission the pool’s contractor last operated the facility on Jan. 24 and the pool was closed through Feb. 17 for cleaning and repairs. “We did a big cleanup of our emergency exit area that was identified during our risk walk through,” Deffley said, and described deep cleaning of locker rooms and showers, painting, light electrical repairs and replacement of broken equipment. She said new backboards, rescue tubes and an automated external defibrillator have been ordered.

Why it matters: the pool will operate under city management for the first full season in more than a decade, which shifts staffing and cost-recovery responsibilities back to Petaluma and will shape summer hours and programming.

Staff said the city aligned Kavanaugh’s drop-in fees with the Petaluma Swim Center: adults $10, seniors $8 and youth $6, and that multi-visit passes (10, 20, 40, 60 visits) will be reciprocal across city facilities. Deffley outlined a phased reopening: self-guided exercise sessions are scheduled for the next two weeks (Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9–10 a.m.), with plans in March to add instructor-led water-aerobics and swim lessons pending hires and scheduling.

Deffley highlighted a planned community partnership: “We entered a partnership with the Sonoma County Regional Parks who offer a Vamos Anadar swim program which offers 25 families in Petaluma free swim lessons come this summer,” she said, noting the two-week session’s typical retail value was about $140. Staff said additional nonprofit partnerships are still being finalized and that registration for summer swim lessons will open on March 2.

On staffing and training, Deffley said the city will host lifeguard instructor courses this weekend and plans to reimburse people for training after they work a season: “Anyone that wants to work with us this summer is able to take this class and actually be reimbursed for their training after a season worked,” she said.

Commissioners sought clarifications on schedules and costs. Commissioner Alec asked whether staff could shift morning lap swim start times later to 10 a.m. for some swimmers; staff replied they are monitoring usage and coordinating with existing popular lap-swim times at the swim center and will report weekly updates that will indicate when adjustments are feasible. Alec also asked about funding for the interim upgrades; Drew (parks staff) said much of the recent work used in-house labor and that staffing costs will be accounted for in the upcoming city budget workshop: “This is the first year of the in house aquatics program in 13 years,” he said, adding that a cost-recovery approach for staffing will be developed so programs can run without pricing out residents.

Public commenters praised the reopening. Kate O’Hara Palmer said, “The water temperature was comfortable, the spirits were high, and it was clear that the real care that went into preparation of the facility was appreciated.” Several speakers urged expanded hours when staffing allows.

A public commenter representing the Petaluma Tennis Association, Teresa Mahoney, used the opportunity to raise a separate facilities concern: the association said it has donated about $25,000 over eight years to local tennis courts and asked the city to review a new $13-per-hour-per-court fee for organized matches at Leghorn Park; staff said they would follow up with the association.

Next steps: staff will publish weekly Kavanaugh reopening updates to alert the public to schedule changes, continue hiring and training, finalize nonprofit lesson agreements and return to the commission or council with budget and staffing details as part of the city’s budget workshop. No formal action or vote was taken on the item.