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Pharr parks report strong summer turnout, but aquatics program cites fewer lifeguards
Summary
Pharr recreation staff reported strong participation across summer theater, camps and aquatics, with upcoming regional swim and track meets in mid‑July; aquatics supervisors said the department has roughly 60 lifeguards this year versus about 90 last year, and asked the public to note schedule and fee changes.
Pharr Parks & Recreation staff on June 17 reported high participation in this summer’s programs and upcoming regional competitions, but managers said the department is operating with fewer lifeguards than last year.
Edgar Gutierrez, recreation supervisor, told the board the summer theater program has 62 participants ages 7–14 and will stage Newsies Jr. in a 60‑minute version July 23–25 at Southwest High School Auditorium; admission will be $7. Gutierrez also reported youth soccer registration at the Far North Sportslex (about 60 participants) and a wrestling camp at PSJ North High School with about 20 participants. He described the wrestling sessions as skills training rather than competitive events and said pickleball continues indoors at the Development Research Center (DRC).
Britney Werta, who identified herself with the after‑school program, said the after‑school year ended June 3 with roughly 600 students served and that summer programming had about 175 students registered for its first session. Werta said registration began April 6 and that one session runs July 6–Aug. 6; daily hours are Monday–Thursday, 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m., and PSJA provides breakfast and lunch for participants.
Adam Diaz, aquatics supervisor, said opening‑day activities drew more than 1,000 people and that the department hosted giveaways and sponsor booths. “We had over a thousand people participate,” Diaz said. He reported the aquatics program will host a regional swim meet July 17–18 and a separate regional track meet is scheduled July 16–17; the department has about 160 swimmers signed up for competitive swim events and roughly 80 enrolled in swim lessons. Diaz also reported average daily public swim attendance near 900 and that weekday pool hours are 12:30–5:30 p.m., with weekend hours 1–7 p.m.; weekday admission is $3 for children and $5 for adults; weekend admission is $5 for children and $10 for adults.
Diaz noted the program is operating with fewer lifeguards than a year ago. “Last year we had about 90 lifeguards… this year we only have 60,” he said, and the department has consolidated lap swimming to a single facility because of staffing limits.
A department athletic supervisor (identified by role) gave a summary of youth sports: Pony baseball and softball All‑Stars, volleyball, middle‑ and high‑school basketball leagues and track programs. The supervisor said track registrations total about 140 and asked board members for help staffing concessions during the July 16–17 regional track meet.
Event reporting from recreation staff noted the St. Patrick’s 5K and a community garage sale that drew about 500 guests and 40 vendors; upcoming events include Sneakerfest on Aug. 15 at Pepe Salenas and a Nightmare on Cage 5K on Oct. 24 to kick off City of Pharr Halloween week.
Board business included approval of the Jan. 21, 2026 minutes and a motion to adjourn; both motions were made, seconded and carried without a recorded roll‑call. No ordinances or formal policy votes were taken.
What’s next: the department will host the regional track meet July 16–17 and the regional swim meet July 17–18. Staff asked board members to consider volunteering at concessions during the track meet and said they will continue recruitment for lifeguards and program instructors.
