Until the Mayor releases his budget on September 27, the best we can do is guess at what his budget may hold for aquatics:
Fee increases - likely.
- Public comments earlier this year showed that you’re willing to pay a bit more to maintain services that you love.
- Swim lessons scholarships will continue to be available, but more fundraising may be needed as fees rise.
Retention of beach lifeguard hours – a good bet.
- Lifeguards at Seattle’s public beaches made a record 103 rescues this summer. Public safety is hard to cut with numbers like that.
- Cuts have already been made in beach lifeguard hours in recent years.
Rainier Beach Pool replacement funds – likely, but vulnerable to cuts.
- Replacement was previously budgeted, so looks hopeful. Final construction documents are expected imminently within Parks.
- If Rainier Beach pool closes for replacement for two years, operating dollars for the pool will not be needed. Rainier Beach is our the most expensive pool to operate because of age.
- Construction plans include a lap pool with a diving board, a leisure pool with shallow areas for lessons, a sauna and a slide. The slide is expected to be very popular with teenagers.
- The current Rainier Beach pool has more kids in swim lessons than any of our other pools. The new School of Fish program has been highly successful in drawing both parents and kids into lessons together.
Pool closures – unlikely, but on the table.
- Strong aquatics advocacy at mid-year has significantly reduced the likelihood of pool closures. Good work, team!
- Facility closures are more likely than across-the-board cuts in hours. Pool facility costs are relatively fixed, so simply cutting hours will not significantly reduce costs.
- Which pool(s) might close? There would be tradeoffs in costs, usage and revenue for each pool. Hard to say which one the Mayor might pick. Helene Madison Pool has the lowest revenue, but it was recently resurfaced (cool!).
