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Lago Vista council reviews pool operations, lifeguard costs and Tesera agreement
Summary
City staff outlined pool-season schedules, safety upgrades and lifeguard staffing requirements; council directed staff to explore cost-sharing with the Tesera HOA/developer and to survey community interest in extended hours or fee-based lap-swim options.
The Lago Vista City Council heard a detailed staff briefing on pool operations, safety upgrades and staffing during its meeting.
David (Parks and Recreation staff) said the city operates two public swimming facilities — the City Pool and the Tesera pool — with the City Pool scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend (May 23) and operate through Labor Day, generally 1–8 p.m. He told the council the city recently installed a secondary AOP sanitization system to meet Texas Administrative Code requirements, performed ADA corrections, repainted pool play features and plans to replace pool furniture. He said the city is pursuing swim lessons and will continue to reserve at least one lane for lap swim each hour.
David said Texas rules classify the City Pool as a Class B facility when open to the public, which triggers lifeguard requirements including a minimum of two lifeguards and periodic rotations. He presented quotes for contracted lifeguard services, outlined a draft cost estimate for expanding hours (driven largely by lifeguard hourly rates), and said an application for up to 40 donated life jackets is pending and would be shared between both pools if approved.
Council members and residents questioned demand for additional hours and discussed options to increase access without substantially raising the city's cost. Several regular swimmers asked for dedicated lap lanes and earlier morning access; they expressed willingness to pay a modest higher fee for guaranteed lap time. Residents and councilors also raised questions about the Tesera pool arrangement: Tesera operates as a Class C pool for private hours but functions as Class B during the public window, with the HOA currently paying for lifeguards during those public hours.
Mayor Pro Tem and other councilors asked staff whether the city could assume some or all lifeguard costs for Tesera’s public hours to increase community access. Staff and councilmembers agreed to pursue meetings between council representatives, city staff and the developer/HOA (Hines) to explore options — including possible amendment of the maintenance agreement — and to report back. Council also requested that staff survey public interest in extended or earlier hours (including willingness to pay a fee) and return cost estimates for possible phased changes.
The council did not take formal action. Staff said it will continue negotiating contractor agreements, refine cost estimates, and bring any proposed changes to policy or contract language back to council for review.
