TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, City Manager
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Action Related to North Port Aquatic Center Competition Pool Operating Hours.
Recommended Action
Discussion and Possible Action Related to North Port Aquatic Center Competition Pool Operating Hours.
Background Information
During a Commission Regular Meeting on November 12, 2019, the Commission provided consensus to bring information on operating schedule options for North Port Aquatic Center competition pool based on available staffing, user requests, and programming for discussion at the first Thursday meeting in December 2019.
The North Port Aquatic Center opened to the public via a modified grand opening schedule on October 21, 2019 and assumed hours in line with the Winter season as noted below on November 4, 2019.
The Current operational hours and seasonal schedules for the North Port Aquatic Center were discussed during a City Commission Special meeting on July 9, 2018. At that time, the operation schedule for the center was set, developing seasonal operating plans as follows:
• Summer (Memorial Day - Last Day of Sarasota County Schools’ Summer Break). The facility is open every day of the week with the competition pool opening daily 7am - 11am, and the competition pool and recreational amenities open 12pm - 8pm.
• Fall (Day Sarasota County Schools Resume - October 31). On weekdays the competition pool is open daily, excluding Wednesdays, from 7am - 4pm. On weekends the competition pool is open at 7am - 11am and the competition pool and recreational amenities open 12pm - 7pm.
• Winter (November 1 - March 31). The competition pool is open from 7am - 4pm daily, excluding Wednesdays. The recreational amenities are not scheduled to operate during the winter season.
• Spring (April 1 -Friday before Memorial Day weekend). On weekdays the competition pool is open daily, excluding Wednesdays, from 7am - 4pm. On weekends the competition pool is open 7am - 11am and the competition pool and recreational amenities open 12pm - 7pm.
• Spring Break 2020 (March 13 - March 22). The competition pool and recreational amenities are open 12 pm - 5 pm, March 13 - 22 in accordance with the Sarasota County School Calendar.
Since opening, staff have tracked and compiled requests, comments and recommendations from patrons. Based on this information, staff have developed the following options for potential modifications to the competition pool operating hours.
Option 1 - Split Schedule
• Summer (Memorial Day - Last Day of Sarasota County Schools’ Summer Break). No change from current schedule.
• Fall (Day Sarasota County Schools Resume - October 31). On weekdays the competition pool opens daily from 6 am - 11 am, closes from 11 am - 2 pm, reopens from 2 pm - 6 pm, excluding Wednesdays. No change from current schedule on weekends.
• Winter (November 1 - March 31, excluding Sarasota County Spring Break) On weekdays the competition pool opens daily from 6 am - 11 am, closes from 11 am - 2 pm, reopens from 2 pm - 6 pm, excluding Wednesdays.
• Spring (April 1 - Friday before Memorial Day weekend). On weekdays the competition pool opens daily from 6 am - 11 am, closes from 11 am - 2 pm, reopens from 2 pm - 6 pm, excluding Wednesdays. On weekends the competition pool is open 7 am - 11 am and the competition pool and recreational amenities open 12 pm - 7 pm.
Benefits of Option 1:
• Provides competition pool access for early morning and for evening swimmers.
• Supports current programming.
• Later closing would provide additional hours of after school use.
• Quantity of operational hours unchanged from current budgeted hours.
• Creates afternoon part time work shift.
Disadvantages of Option 1:
• Increases difficulty in scheduling full time positions.
• A schedule with midday closure may confuse some patrons.
Option 2 - Staggered Schedule
• Summer (Memorial Day - Last Day of Sarasota County Schools’ Summer Break). No change from current schedule.
• Fall (Day Sarasota County Schools Resume - October 31). Two days per week the competition pool opens to accommodate early swimmers, 6 am - 4 pm; two days per week the competition pool opens and closes later to accommodate afternoon/evening swimmers, 12 pm - 7 pm. The facility remains closed on Wednesdays. On weekends the competition pool is open at 9 am - 11 am and the competition pool and recreational amenities open 12 pm - 7 pm.
• Winter (November 1 - March 31, excluding Sarasota County Spring Break). Two days per week the competition pool opens to accommodate early swimmers, 6 am - 4 pm; two days per week the competition pool opens and closes later to accommodate afternoon/evening swimmers, 12 pm - 7 pm. The facility remains closed on Wednesdays. On weekends the competition pool is open 9 am - 4 pm.
• Spring (April 1 - Friday before Memorial Day weekend). Two days per week the competition pool opens to accommodate early swimmers, 6 am - 4 pm; two days per week the competition pool opens and closes later to accommodate afternoon/evening swimmers, 12 pm - 7 pm. The facility remains closed on Wednesdays. On weekends the competition pool is open at 9 am - 11 am and the competition pool and recreational amenities open 12 pm - 7 pm.
Benefits of Option 2:
• Provides competition pool access for early morning and for evening swimmers.
• Allows for current programming.
• Later closing would accommodate additional hours of after school use.
• Quantity of operational hours is reduced from current budgeted hours. If changes went into effect on January 1, 2020 the resulting estimated savings for the year would be $8,400.
Disadvantages of Option 2:
• A staggered schedule may confuse some patrons.
• Programming flexibility is reduced.
Strategic Plan
Expand access to community recreation, green space and Blueways for public enjoyment.
Financial Impact
Financial Impact depends on the option chosen as noted above.
Procurement
N/A
Attachments:
1. Minutes from 7-9-18 Commission Special Meeting
2. Competition Pool Operating Hours and Options
Prepared by: Tricia Wisner, Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation
Department Director: Sandy Pfundheller, Director of Parks & Recreation