The Ja-Lu Municipal Swimming Pool will be open this summer, after the Greenville City Council voted Tuesday to enter into a contract with the YMCA to operate the pool for the 2014 season.
But the status of the pool in the years ahead is in doubt.
“We need to make a decision about the future of that pool,” said Council member Jeff Dailey, wondering if the city would not be facing the same choice 12 months from now.
Acting Director of Parks and Recreation Kimber Patterson has asked the council to reach a consensus about whether to close the pool for the summer, reach an agreement with the YMCA, or try and operate the pool on a very limited schedule.
The pool is scheduled to open for the summer on June 7.
“A consensus needs to be reached tonight,” Patterson said.
The start of the pool’s season was delayed due to a lack of qualified applicants to staff the pool. Patterson said in order to provide a full schedule of swimming, private parties and swim lessons, she would need a minimum staff of 18 certified lifeguards, two certified supervisors, and two cashiers. As of the end of Tuesday morning, the city had received a total of nine applications from certified lifeguard and supervisor applicants.
“Nine really does not cover it,” Patterson said, adding the lack of response came even after repeated stories about the issue had appeared in the Herald-Banner, and notices advertising the open positions had appeared in the newspaper, on the city’s web site and elsewhere.
“We even raised the minimum wage we pay from $7.25 per hour to $8.25, to try and recruit more applicants,” Patterson said.
Under the agreement, the YMCA will supply aquatics staff and manage the day-to-day operations of Ja-Lu Municipal Swimming Pool while the City of Greenville would still be responsible for the maintenance of the facility.
Patterson said the current budget for the pool for this summer is approximately $75,000, with $56,000 dedicated for salaries. The pool is expected to bring in about $39,000 in revenue this year.
“That’s basically a loss of $35,000” Patterson said.
The agreement with the YMCA would pay the agency approximately $64,000 to manage the operations of the pool, although the city would still be required to pay for about $19,000 in chemicals and supplies, resulting in a deficit of around $39,000.
The YMCA would offer swim lessons, which would increase in cost from $35 to $40.
Patterson noted the reduction in the number of people applying for lifeguards has been a trend.
“It’s not just this year, but we’ve been seeing a decrease of applicants over the past few years,” she said, explaining the pool loses “a couple” of lifeguards each summer for various reasons. “Right now, getting them certified and starting to work is the issue.”
Council member Dan Perkins asked if reducing the cost of certification might help, or refunding part of the cost if the lifeguard stays the entire summer, would help.
Patterson replied the cost for certification can vary from about $200 to about $250, depending on the instructor, but said there are dedicated costs involved in fees to the American Red Cross and in the materials which must be supplied.
Dailey objected to an idea that the city pay for the certification for applicants, noting there would be nothing to prevent an applicant from receiving the certification locally, then leaving for a higher paying job somewhere else.
“That essentially is taxpayer money,” Dailey said.
The situation is expected to be even more difficult next summer, when the Splash Kingdom water park is expected to come on line. Patterson said there are other matters to consider.
“The pool opened in 1993 and we have big maintenance issues that we are able to Band-Aid right now,” Patterson said.
Among them are the big water slide and components of the pool’s pump house, which will need replacing in the near future. Patterson believes it may be time to explore other options.
“I feel like turning that into a great park with maybe a splash pad,” she said. “That pool doesn’t make money ... but it is a service to the community.”
Perkins made the motion to approve the contract with the YMCA, which Renee Francey seconded. The measure passed by a unanimous vote of the council.