HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 099 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-099
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 21, 2022
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SUBJECT: FEASIBILITY OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF DAYS CITY
rrn POOLS ARE OPEN
The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide information on the feasibility of increasing the
number of days that City of Fort Worth pools are open. Traditionally, industry standard for the
operation duration of outdoor pools is Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Specific days for the
2022 season as of June 1 are:
City Opening Closing Comments
Fort Worth May 28 September 5 Lap swim through mid-October (weather
permitting) at Forest Park*
Austin June 6 Au ust 14 Staggered opening
Dallas June 4 Au ust 14 Indoor pools open ear-round
El Paso May 28 September 5 Open weekends only
Houston May 28 August 5 Staggered opening and alternating days
San Antonio May 21 TBID/staffing Open weekends only
Denton May 28 August 10 Indoor pool open ear-round
Arlington Ma 27 September 5 Indoor pools open ear-round
YMCA I June 4 1 August 14 1 Indoor pools open year-round
*Beginning in FY2019, the normal pool season was extended for public lap swim at Forest Park Pool. This required the use of 3
lifeguards. The pool stayed open until October 16. Pools were closed in FY2020 due to COVID-19, but in FY2021, this extension
ended on October 15.Aquatics staff plan to extend this season dependent on operating condition of the pool and construction
schedule.
Opening sooner than Memorial Day weekend is challenging due to the following, but Aquatics
staff will investigate opening additional days as future circumstances allow.
1 . A pervasive national lifeguard shortage is limiting the pools cities can open and what days
they can staff, and when they open and close seasons. Some cities are offering up to
$1 ,500 in incentive pay and are still struggling with hiring. Fort Worth raised pay twice this
season (second highest pay in area), and implemented an incentive pay program.
2. Most seasonal employees are college and high school students, with conflicting end of
school year dates and events. This season approximately 60% of staff are high school
students. Some seasons all staff aren't on-boarded until the second week of June.
3. Onboarding of staff requires certifying of lifeguards in addition to one week of training on
point of sale system, cleaning, emergency response, customer service, etc.
4. Pool temps in early May are usually still too cold for recreational swimmers. While this May
was unseasonably hot, the week of opening day had lows in the 500s. The average high in
May is 830, and average low is 640, resulting in water temps of high 600s to low 700s.
5. There are alternative aquatic facilities in the community with indoor swimming available
(i.e., YMCA, Resource Connection, fitness centers, and private organizations/clubs).
Should you have any questions regarding this Informal Report please contact Park & Recreation
Department Director Richard Zavala, Assistant City Manager Valerie Washington or me.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS