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Ojai advances community aquatics program with $5 entry fee, $25 lifeguard pay and ad hoc committee
Summary
City Council-approved aquatics plan moves forward: $5 entry fee (free for ages 2 and under), a $5,000 waiver fund, a flat $25/hour lifeguard rate, adjusted hours and active hiring; the commission formed a two‑member ad hoc aquatics committee to oversee programming.
The Parks and Recreation Commission on June 4 received an update that Ojai City Council unanimously approved the community aquatics program package and discussed next steps for the pool’s opening and programming.
"So, all was unanimously approved," staff member Christy reported, summarizing the council action and the program parameters: a $5 entry fee (children two and under free), a $5,000 allocation for low‑income waivers, and a flat lifeguard pay rate of $25 per hour. "We changed [hours] — it was approved 11 to 3 Monday through Friday," Christy said, adding Sunday hours will be 2 to 6 p.m. with possible limited Saturday hours depending on YMCA sessions.
Commissioners and staff discussed operational details and constraints. Staff said total first‑year program costs are $62,500, which includes the waiver fund. Hiring is underway: several lifeguards are certified and about three more are in training, with staff hopeful they will be fully trained by the end of June. Opening will depend on reaching adequate staffing levels.
Commissioners also discussed lane availability for lap swimming. Staff said full lap lanes will not be installed during some sessions because water polo uses the pool, but they expect at least one delineated lap area. To collect user feedback, staff plans to post a QR-code survey at the facility so patrons can recommend schedule adjustments once the program is running.
Public commenters supported the plan. "The presentation was clear, detailed as a beginning new community program," said Bill Miley, who urged continued collaboration with Ojai Unified School District for lessons and programming.
The commission voted to form a two‑person ad hoc aquatics committee to help refine programming and coordinate with staff and the school district; two commissioners volunteered and were appointed by voice vote. Staff said they will return with updates, and that the pool’s opening date will be set once hiring is sufficient.
