TO: HONORABLE CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
FROM: Lea Kolek, Parks and Community Service Manager
PREPARED BY: Lea Kolek, Parks and Community Service Manager
SUBJECT:
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2025 City of Murrieta Aquatics Season
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RECOMMENDATION
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Discuss the City’s upcoming aquatics season for 2025.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On June 20, 2023, City Council 1) approved and authorized the City Manager to execute the Agreement for Preliminary Architectural Design Services for the Cal Oaks Sports Park Pool Reconstruction with RJM Design Group, Inc., in the amount of $245,340; and 2) establish Capital Improvement Plan 22025 for the California Oaks Sports Park Pool and create the corresponding budget (Vote: 4-0-1).
On May 7, 2024, City Council approved and authorized the City Manager to execute the Agreement for Lifeguard and Swim Lesson Services with The Swimming Swan LLC, in the amount of $337,064 for the initial five-year service period (Vote: 5-0).
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Coordinate and deliver responsive, effective community services.
BACKGROUND
The pool facility (Facility) at the California Oaks Sports Park (Cal Oaks) was constructed in 1989, prior to the incorporation of the City of Murrieta (City), as part of the California Oaks Specific Plan. The Facility was built to County of Riverside (County) specifications and intended to handle a population of just 25,000 residents. On July 1, 1993, two years after the incorporation of the City, all County-owned parks and facilities within the city limits were absorbed by the City to be operated and maintained by the Community Services Department (CSD).
The City continued operations for approximately thirty years of the community pool at Cal Oaks. Then, in Fiscal Year 2022/23, staff were aware of the potential infrastructure issues that could affect the 2023 Cal Oaks pool season. Staff attempted to minimize these issues by tending to the known maintenance and repairs that were urgently required to allow for the season to progress. Unfortunately, despite multiple efforts, the pool reached the end of its useful lifespan, and in August 2023, the City made the difficult decision to permanently close the existing pool facility at Cal Oaks due to its numerous mechanical and structural issues. Staff took this opportunity to reimagine what the pool could be at full potential. While the pool has been out-of-commission, CSD staff have worked diligently to ensure the City could continue to provide a pool season for residents for the foreseeable future. Staff contacted Murrieta Valley Unified School District (MVUSD) and requested use of one of the high school pools to provide programming. MVUSD was able to accommodate and worked with staff through multiple meetings to finalize a 2024 schedule.
The City has again partnered with the MVUSD to utilize their high school aquatics facilities during the continued closure of the Cal Oaks pool. All upcoming 2025 programming will again be conducted at the Vista Murrieta High School (Vista) pool located at 28251 Clinton Keith Road.
The use of Vista’s pool for the upcoming season will be Saturday through Tuesday from approximately 7 AM to 4 PM beginning June 7. Once school is again in session in early August, the programming will be restricted to Saturdays and Sundays through September 28.
Swan Aquatics will provide lifeguard services during all our aquatics programs. This collaboration ensures the safety and well-being of all residents using our swimming facilities. Lifeguards will be on duty during all programming to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for swimmers of all ages.
Programming to be included (please reference the attachments for more precise dates and times):
Public (Open) Swim: Public swim sessions allow residents and visitors to enjoy the swimming facilities during designated hours. Whether a swimmer is looking to swim laps (designated lanes), splash around with family, or relax in the water, the pool facility is open to all.
Lap Swim: Lap swim sessions are designated times for uninterrupted, continuous swimming, ideal for exercise and training. The pool is set up with lanes specifically for lap swimming, providing a structured and efficient workout environment.
Swim Lessons: As with last season, the City will continue its partnership with Swan Aquatics to provide the community with top-notch lifeguard services and swimming lessons. This collaboration aims to enhance safety and offer high-quality aquatic programs for residents of all ages. Both group and private lessons will be offered from 6 months to adults.
Water Exercise: Staff is finalizing the details for this program; however, it is hoped that an instructor will be found to offer participants a variety of physical activities that leverage the water’s buoyancy and resistance so as to provide a low-impact workout that can benefit various fitness goals including those individuals with joint pain or mobility issues.
Senior Swim (alternative program for Water Exercise): Should staff be unable to engage the services of a water exercise instructor, staff will look to designating time for just seniors. This dedicated time would allow older adults the option to have the pool available for their use without the chaos of kids playing and splashing around them. Various pool equipment items will be available should they wish to undertake their own water exercise activity.
FISCAL IMPACT
Various fees are charged to the public to participate in the referenced programming ranging from $1 for a resident child for public swim admission to a $40 non-resident punch card.
The MVUSD will invoice the City for two charges: (1) Pool chemicals, which are to be calculated at the end of the season. Last year’s pool chemical invoice was approximately $4,500. For this upcoming aquatic season, staff believes MVUSD will invoice a similar amount. (2) Facility use fees to be paid will likely cost under $30,000 depending on the custodial services needed in accessing and maintaining the facility. Last year’s facility use invoice was approximately $20,000.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Programming flyers for the upcoming aquatics season