Pacific Park Board tables pool contract review and freezes 2026 pool prices

The Pacific Park Board on June 8 voted to postpone a formal review and request-for-proposals for the city's pool contract until the August meeting, and it also voted to keep pool admission prices unchanged for the remainder of the 2026 season.

Chair opened discussion about options for the pool contract, noting the current arrangement with Midwest Pools has been in place at least a decade. Ryan moved to table a review and formal RFP until August so staff could complete the season without disrupting operations; the Deputy clerk seconded the motion and the board approved it unanimously.

Separately, the Deputy clerk moved to keep pool prices the same for the 2026 season. The motion passed after members said changing prices midseason would be unfair to regular users and that a prior March board decision already favored affordability. Board members reiterated the city's goal of keeping the pool family-friendly rather than running it as a revenue source.

Board discussion included operational constraints raised by Park superintendent: staffing and lifeguard certification, liability questions if the city were to operate the pool directly, and the fact that prior hour reductions were applied for the 2024'25 season. Financial figures discussed during the meeting included an estimate that, based on last year's attendance, raising fees enough to break even would require roughly $33 per person per day; board members noted that a municipal pool typically does not break even and that chemical costs alone run about $15,000'$16,000 per season.

The board asked staff to gather competitive bids and pricing information so it can revisit contract terms and any potential price changes before the next season. The motion to table the contract review was moved by Ryan and seconded by the Deputy clerk; the motion to freeze pool admission prices was moved by the Deputy clerk and seconded by Ryan.