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City proposes seasonal pool closures, warns of impact on lap swimmers and youth programs
Summary
Staff proposed cutting Katy Way and community center pool hours from October through May to save about $150,000; fully contracting Katy Way could save up to $500,000 but would require contractual protections for youth programming, staff said.
Parks staff told the commission that aquatics are a high‑cost, low‑revenue area where staffing — not facilities — drives expense. Jason Sealy said reducing winter/shoulder season hours at Katy Way and the community center pool could save roughly $150,000.
"If we were to do that, we could get to about $150,000 in savings," Sealy said, explaining that lifeguard staffing accounts for the majority of pool operating costs. He stressed that summer programming, lap swim for youth teams and priority community programs would be preserved and that reductions would target off‑season daily availability.
Sealy also suggested contracting out Katy Way as a longer‑term option that could yield larger savings (an estimated $500,000) but cautioned any contract must guarantee community swim hours and youth program access. Commissioners and community members emphasized the pools' role in youth swim instruction and equitable access to recreation.
