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Palm Springs Swim Center reports sharp usage gains; staff outlines May Water Safety Month events
Summary
Staff reported March swim-center revenue up 68%, paid swims more than doubled and water aerobics up about 74%. Lead lifeguard Rob Speckle outlined May water-safety events and partnerships to expand free or subsidized lessons.
City staff told the Parks and Recreation Commission on April 27 that the Palm Springs Swim Center saw significant increases in participation in March and outlined programming for Water Safety Month in May.
The director's report included line-item statistics: staff said March revenue at the swim center was up about 68% compared with 2025, paid swims "more than doubled," water aerobics participation rose roughly 74%, and swim scans increased about 40%, with an overall average-use increase staff described as about 43%.
Rob Speckle, the swim center’s lead lifeguard, presented the Water Safety Month schedule. He said May 9 will feature a buddy-and-life-jacket-fitting day; May 16 is Community Safety Day with free swimming and CPR demonstrations; and May 23 will be a family 'dip into summer' pool kickoff with demonstrations and on-deck safety programming. Speckle emphasized year-round learn-to-swim programming and said the center partners with Riverside County and local nonprofits to provide scholarships so cost is not a barrier.
During public comment, Michael Frick, a volunteer coach for the water-polo program, said recent charging of a program fee for practices reduced participation and urged the commission to consider returning the program to a free model to rebuild youth enrollment. "We used to be a free program...that kind of hurt our numbers," Frick said; he requested that the commission consider reverting to a no-fee structure to attract 14–20 players needed for typical scrimmages.
Staff also announced that the downtown park splash pad is set to reopen May 21 at 5 p.m., Camp Palm Springs registration opens May 4 and summer camp runs June 8–July 31.
