At the Lakeport City Council's Tuesday night meeting Doug Grider gave an update on the pool, which reopened three years ago after extensive repairs.
In January 1971 the county, the city and Lakeport Unified School District entered into an agreement to construct the pool on school district property, Grider said. Construction was completed in 1973.
The pool would remain open until 2004, when it was closed due to the need for repairs. The following year, the Lake County Channel Cats approached the city to ask it to become the sponsor for a State Parks grant.
The $168,000 grant was awarded for the pool's repairs in November 2005, he said. Construction began in February 2007 and was completed three months later.
The total cost was $313,370, with the city funding the additional $143,370 beyond the grant, Grider said.
When the pool's rehabilitation was completed on May 25, 2007, it was handed over to Grider, who said he had no knowledge about running a pool at that time.
The pool reopened to the public in July 2007. Grider said the city had an agreement with the Channel Cats and Lakeport Unified to share the costs of running the pool. However, two years ago the school district told the city they were no longer able to provide financial support due to budget cuts.
The county provided $5,000 in one-time funding but haven't given other support, said Grider, who hoped the county would be able to participate next year.
Grider emphasized the importance of getting the county's financial buy-in by showing a pie chart that illustrated where the pool's users originate: 37 percent from the city limits, 61 percent from the county and 2 percent from other locations.
He said the city can be proud of that service to the larger community.
In the 2008-09 fiscal year, the pool's programs increased to public and adult swims, swimming lessons, day camps and day care. City staff also began renting it out for private parties, with the Channel Cats increasing their activities, he said.
The following year, 2009-10, pool-related programs expanded again, said Grider, adding adult and lap swims, swimming lessons, Mendocino College's lifeguard training, day camp and day care, pool party and end of school party rentals. Once again the Channel Cats continued to help maintain the pool.
He said for this fiscal year, they continue to run those same programs, noting their day camp “was a huge success” this past year. The Channel Cats swim team remains an important partner in providing a swimming program for the community and helping fund it.
“Our relationship with the Channel Cats has really matured,” he said.
For the coming 2011-12 fiscal year, Grider said they want to maintain and maximize the programs they have in place.
“We've learned some valuable lessons over the last couple of years,” said Grider, noting that they're now maxed out when it comes to programs they're able to offer.
He said Public Works staff is going to seek funding sources for a shade structure, lifeguard towers, and upgrades to the pump room and equipment.
In the 2010-11 budget, Grider said the revenues to date are $21,282.42. Originally, they had estimated $18,000 in revenues, but have revised that and are expecting closer to $40,000, including Channel Cats contributions.
They've had more than $63,000 in expenditures this fiscal year, Grider said. That's compared to $54,316 for 2007-08, $47,972 for 2008-09 and $65,595 for 2009-10, $7,000 of which was for a commercial grade pool sweeper. In 2010-11 they're requesting $79,479 for expenses, part of which will be for the programs they're offering.
Grider told the council the pool probably won't ever pay for itself completely unless other entities – like the county – pitch in. He pointed out that the pool, while used year round, has to get most of its revenue during the summer months.
Mayor Suzanne Lyons asked if it was possible to charge people from outside the city more for using the pool. While it was possible, Grider said he and his staff hesitate to charge some children more than others, pointing out that the pool admission prices are not cheap but neither are they too expensive, and they don't want to get so pricey that people no longer use the facility.
He said Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa used to have pool facilities available to the public before they closed down, which left the Westshore Pool and the Middletown Pool as the only two public pool facilities.
“Our usage continues to increase every year,” he said, explaining that word is getting out that it's a good, safe place for children to spend time. Offering that kind of a facility is something Grider says staff takes very seriously.
Lyons said she has been approached by many mothers who said they were able to keep their jobs because the pool gave their children a safe, fun option during the summer months when they're off from school.
“It's a great place for kids,” she said.
Grider told the council that City Manager Margaret Silveira is planning to approach the county about once again making a contribution.
Councilman Tom Engstrom pointed out that the $5,000 the county had previously given the city for the pool was a small amount compared to the value.
“We live on a lake and kids need to learn how to swim,” he said, suggesting Grider show his slide presentation to the county.
Council member Stacey Mattina asked about a pool bubble that Konocti Harbor had used, and whether that was a good option for Westshore Pool during colder weather. Councilman Bob Rumfelt shared his knowledge of the bubble, which he said cost between $80,000 and $100,000, was easily damaged, expensive to repair and hard to store. Rumfelt suggested they look at a permanent cover for the Westshore Pool that has solar panels.
Lyons urged Grider to pursue the funding discussions with the county. She said she, Silveira and City Clerk Janel Chapman visited one of the day camps. “You guys did a great job.”
Grider recognized the efforts of his staff, including Tina Banuet, the pool supervisor and a driving force behind the programs, who he said has spent countless hours of her own time working on ideas for the pool.
They also have an exceptional lifeguard staff, and have been aided by Channel Cats President Jennifer Hanson and Head Coach Agustin Merodio, Grider said.
Grider also thanked the council for stepping up and accepting responsibility for the pool for the 20 years required in the State Parks grant, as well as for offering the additional money needed to complete the repairs. He said the council has played as big a role as anyone in making the pool a success.
Silveira also thanked Grider and Banuet for their work, with City Attorney Steve Brookes pointing out that some cities are closing their pool facilities because of budget cuts.
Also on Tuesday, Lyons – in one of her first major responsibilities since becoming mayor earlier this month – appointed council members to boards, commissions and committees.
Engstrom, with Lyons as alternate, will serve on the Lakeport Parks and Recreation Commission, while Roy Parmentier will serve on the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board, with Engstrom and Mattina as alternates.
In addition, Engstrom will serve on the Main Street Association Board, Mattina and Parmentier will be the council members to serve on the Lake County/City Area Planning Council, with Lyons as alternate, and Mattina will serve on the Solid Waste Management Task Force while Rumfelt will be the representative for abandoned vehicle abatement.
The AB 621 Committee, which distributes proceeds of Indian gaming to mitigate impacts of affected communities, will have Parmentier as the council representative and Rumfelt as alternate.
Lyons will hold a seat on the Clear Lake Advisory Committee and the Local Area Formation Commission, with Rumfelt alternate on the latter. He also will be the representative on the county invasives committee and the Clean Water Program Committee. Parmentier will sit on the Airport Land Use Commission.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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