Council approves one-year Salvation Army aquatics contract amid access concerns

The Ceres City Council on June 22 approved a one-year contract authorizing the Salvation Army to operate swim lessons and recreational swim programming for Ceres residents through August 2026, a measure that passed 3-2 after members and residents raised questions about access and location.

Recreation Supervisor Jessica presented the agreement, saying the Salvation Army will provide supervised swim instruction (basic and advanced skills), designated recreational swim sessions and aquatic fitness classes. Registration will continue to be managed through the City of Ceres registration process, Jessica said, while the Salvation Army will operate its pool facility on Las Vegas Street.

Council and residents pressed practical questions. Councilmember Otero and other speakers said the Salvation Army pool at Las Vegas and Dallas is not easily walkable for many Ceres children and asked whether transportation options were available. Jessica said the city did not include transportation as part of contract negotiations and that families would generally have to transport children themselves. Councilmembers also asked whether classes would remain available at Ceres High School; staff said insurance would not permit Salvation Army operations at the school and that the Salvation Army's pool became available sooner than expected, prompting the shift in location.

Several council members and residents expressed concern about cost and access: staff said recreational swim drop-in fees at the Salvation Army were $4 (up from $1-$2 at prior Ceres-run open swim) and that the Salvation Army would check residency documentation for Ceres residents who register. Jessica and staff said the contract is structured so the city would not incur additional operating costs and the city would receive 30% of registration revenue into the general fund.

Supporters emphasized the alternative was no aquatics programming for Ceres this summer. Vice Mayor Martinez and other council members noted the Salvation Army had lifeguard staffing and certifications already in place, allowing programming to start quickly during a period when the city lacked in-house lifeguard capacity.

The motion to approve the agreement passed 3-2. Councilmembers who voted against the item said they could not support sending residents across town without clearer transportation or access plans and expressed concern about higher fees for families.

Next steps: staff and the Salvation Army will implement registration procedures and publicize schedules; the contract expires in August 2026 and the council signaled it expects staff to evaluate options for a longer-term, in-Ceres solution when budget circumstances permit.