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Recreation director warns 5.1% cut could change pool schedules, slow maintenance
Summary
Cincinnati Recreation Commission leaders told the Budget and Finance Committee that a 5.1% budget cut (about $1 million) could push pool openings later, reduce weekend hours and delay maintenance and work orders, affecting aquatics and adult/senior programming.
The director of the Cincinnati Recreation Commission told the city’s Budget and Finance Committee that proposed reductions would force program and schedule changes and could reduce the department’s ability to meet its 2027 performance goals.
Director (CRC) presented five-year budget and FTE history and said a 5.1% reduction for the commission would be the equivalent of just over $1,000,000. He warned the cut would have specific service impacts: "This could mean opening pools a week later, and late opening pools later and eliminating Sunday hours where there's no, activity..." That change, he said, could hinder CRC’s goal to increase aquatics attendance by 5%.
The commission described other likely effects of the reduction: extended timelines for minor maintenance work orders (the current goal is to complete minor work orders in 14 days), potential consolidation or adjusted hours at under‑utilized rec centers, and re‑evaluation of adult and senior programming site hours to match attendance.
CRC also highlighted program successes and outreach mechanisms the department uses to grow participation: the annual Business Enterprise Expo, partnerships with the Cincinnati Reds and Procter & Gamble on community makeovers, the "Scentsy Freeze and Feed" partnership with the health department, and an expanded childcare footprint (grown from one licensed facility to 13 under the current administration). Staff noted the department is pursuing a contract for an event coordinator and has engaged a vendor to support two Rec at Night sites; an Access to Capital bootcamp administered by the Urban League is in progress, with a cohort graduation scheduled for April 28.
Council members asked about metrics and resources needed to continue programming; CRC staff said they would return with more detailed follow-ups on financial questions and the possible capital needs for adding childcare sites. The committee filed the presentation; no formal budget votes were taken at this meeting.
