Swim Center Faces Day of Reckoning

The city's beloved and beleagured swimming pool is now officially on the budget chopping block.

The Pinole City Council is scheduled on Tuesday to make the fatalistic decision about whether to close the this summer.

The swim center has suffered council budget cuts while its fans fight to save it with a fundraising effort. Last year, the council decided that the pool would have to raise enough money to pay for itself if it were to stay open. On Tuesday the council must decide whether to find funds in the budget to keep the pool open for the summer. As the current 2011-2012 budget stands, the pool would close unless the council changes its mind.

Volunteers and a city committee have rallied in an attempt to save the pool. A fundraising effort has raised $12,500 and is on target to meet its $15,00 goal, but that's not enough to pay for the $31,000 needed to operate the facility for the whole upcoming season and budget year.

A "dedicated and consistent General Fund subsidy is required" for the long-term funding of the swim center, Pinole Finance Director Richard Loomis wrote in a report to the city council.

So, a council policy decision is on the table, at the very least for the short term. It's up to the council to find the money if it wants to contribute to keep the pool open this year and beyond.

"The city subsidy may be allocated from General Fund unanticipated revenues and/or budgetary savings from other General Fund activities," Loomis wrote to the council.

The fundraising committee that formed last year, after the swim center found itself among the recipients of budget cuts, embarked on a campaign for funds, including various events and the pursuit of corporate sponsors.

A decision on city funding must be made on Tuesday because the YMCA, which has a contract with the city to provide swim center staff, must finalize its budget plans, according to the council memo.

If the pool survives the 2012 season, it still faces future costs, such as replacing the pool heater at an estimated cost of $40,000 and $10,000 for the chemical control system, Loomis said.

The public session of Tuesday's meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at City Hall, 2131 Pear St.

See the attached council agenda for the full staff report.