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Council debates options to reduce $736,000 wave-pool deficit
Summary
Council members and staff discussed a $736,000 operating deficit for the wave pool (about $400,000 revenue vs. $1.1 million costs) and options including reduced winter hours, higher rental or admission fees, and targeted events to boost revenue; staff said prior analyses exist and recommended further review.
A council member flagged the wave pool’s operating deficit and urged the council and staff to revisit previously conducted analyses for potential savings or revenue increases.
Figures and options: The council member said the wave pool was roughly $736,000 in the deficit range, receiving about $400,000 in revenue while costing approximately $1.1 million to operate. Suggestions from council and staff included closing or reducing winter hours (while avoiding damage to the pool plaster), raising rental or admission rates for larger-ticket uses, targeted programming such as ‘no-wave’ or low-cost hours, and reexamining past cost-reduction proposals.
Staff context: The presenter and other staff said analyses of winter closure and other options had been done in the past and can be reexamined. The presenter cautioned that some changes (for example, closing the facility in winter) risk damage to pool infrastructure and that careful evaluation of maintenance and capital timing is needed.
Representative quote: "I mean, because we've replastered. We've finished the indoor pool. We've got two new boilers... so it is going to cost us a little more," the presenter said, describing cost pressures and the need for careful planning.
Next steps: Council members and staff agreed to pull prior analyses, discuss potential fee adjustments and schedule changes, and engage with pool staff to identify feasible operational savings. No binding decision was made at the meeting.
