REPORT TO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Parks and Recreation Commission Will Consider a Recommendation to Council to Adopt Definitions for Aquatic Facility Use Categories; Adopt Priorities of Aquatics Facility Use; and Approve Amendment to the FY 2025/26 Municipal Fee Schedule and sequential adjustments through Fiscal Year 2028/29
Report
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara has a long-standing commitment to supporting youth organizations, including sports (e.g., Police Activities League, baseball, football, soccer, aquatics), dance, and the Special Olympics.
The City operates eleven pools across five aquatic facilities: the George F. Haines International Swim Center (ISC), Mary Gomez Swim Center (Gomez), Montague Swim Center (Montague), Warburton Swim Center (Warburton), and the Natatorium at the Senior Center. The Parks and Recreation Department uses these facilities to offer swim lessons, recreational swim, lap swim, and aquatic fitness programs. The pools are also available for hourly and seasonal rentals by local youth non-profit aquatic organizations.
Historically, three Santa Clara-based 501(c)(3) youth aquatic clubs have been the primary users under City permits: the Santa Clara Diving Club, the Aquamaids - Santa Clara Artistic Swimming Club, and the Santa Clara Swim Club. These organizations (Clubs) provide youth competitive aquatics programs, swim instruction, and some adult fitness offerings.
Over the years, these Clubs have entered into various agreements with the City for facility use; however, the associated fees have not been applied consistently across all sites and/or Clubs. These inconsistencies have contributed to a gap in the City's ability to fund ongoing operating costs, labor, maintenance, and capital improvements. The existing agreements and fee structures do not align with the City Council's adopted cost recovery model and are insufficient to meet the long-term infrastructure and community needs.
Between 2024 and prese...
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