Corona plans to relaunch city-run aquatics at Auburnale, pilot for City Park pool

The city presented a plan on April 23 to relaunch a city-run aquatics program at Auburnale pool in summer 2027 and use it as a pilot and workforce pipeline for a larger City Park aquatics center expected in 2029.

Recreation Services Manager Monique Leon said the city will focus the pilot on accessible water-safety instruction, a paid lifeguard and instructor pipeline, adaptive-programming options and community events. Leon asked council to approve operating funding for safety equipment, certifications and a small cohort of year‑round staff: a full‑time aquatics coordinator and a part‑time assistant coordinator (to begin January 2027), plus a pool of part‑time lifeguard and instructor hours to staff lessons, lap swim and rentals.

Training and revenue model: staff are pursuing a Red Cross Centennial partnership that would supply training support and scholarship reimbursement for lessons; staff modeled program revenue and cost‑recovery targets across swim lessons, lap swim, rentals and special events and estimated a year‑one full‑year program revenue recovery near 63% under the model used in the presentation. Leon emphasized the pilot’s role: to certify trainers and establish a staffing model the city can scale up for the City Park facility while pursuing grants and sponsorships to improve cost recovery.

Council questions: members asked about start dates, parking and how the pilot aligns with the larger Auburnale park renovation timeline; staff confirmed the pool and park work are being coordinated so the pool relaunch will follow the park renovation schedule and that the assistant coordinator will be hired early to prepare training and safety materials.

Next steps: council asked staff to continue refinement of operating assumptions and staffing hours; staff will return with final budget language and scheduling for the pilot program.