TITLE
Recommendation to request that all youth under the age of seventeen (17) be admitted to Belmont Pool and other city pools for $1;
Request City Manager report back on the costs to expand the Summer Fun program to include youth from other community centers throughout the City if the demand is there, therefore, increasing the number of kids that can use the Belmont pool for free; and
Request further that City Manager explore with Long Beach Transit the possibility of a special bus or buses dedicated solely to taking people to and from Belmont pool similar to Los Angeles and Foothill Transit buses that take people to area beaches.
DISCUSSION
Currently, Long Beach youth pay $3 to swim at Belmont Pool and $2 at other city pools such as Silverado Pool, King Pool, Millikan and Jordan High School pools (High School pools are summer only). Youth participating in Recreation Swim sessions at several park locations currently pay no charge at pools while participating in Summer Fun, WRAP and Day Camp programs. These are Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) Recreation programs. Participants sign up at various parks and programs to attend the excursion at the designated pool site. Staff only takes a specific number of participants to ensure proper participant to supervisor ratios. The park programs communicate with the pools to let them know they are coming. The participants pay the bus fee but it is free to enter the pool since they are part of our programs. The free pool admission is a summer only program at this time.
The sites that currently visit Belmont Pool and swim for free include Bixby Park, Ceasar Chavez Park, Wardlow Park and Lafayette School. Children at these sites travel by LB Transit to and from the pool under the supervision of PRM Recreation Leader Specialists. PRM program participants also have the opportunity to swim at no charge at other city pool sites during Recreation Swim sessions.
DISCUSSION:
The Belmont Pool has been a city asset and symbol of Long Beach's regional aquatics stature for more than 45 years, hosting community activities as well as two Olympic trials and several other high level competitions. With the closure of the plaza pool in January 2013, the temporary pool continues this tradition of supporting community aquatics while the City prepares for construction of a new Belmont pool complex.
To reinforce Belmont Pool's image as a citywide asset that residents feel connected to and proud of, we believe the City Council should make it $1 for every youth living in Long Beach, seventeen years of age and younger to enjoy. Due to Tidelands Trust requirements, youth from other cities visiting Belmont Pool would also benefit by paying $1 admission.
For those youth residents who may not be in a recreation program or cannot make it to the Belmont pool, we suggest changing admission to all city pools from $2 to $1 to encourage broader access and hopefully create lifelong swimmers.
FISCAL IMPACT
According to PRM, changing admission at Belmont Pool from $3 to $1 per person and other city pools from $2 to $1 would result in approximately $29,000 per year in lost revenue. Tidelands funds may be able to fill part of that lost revenue.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
SUJA LOWENTHAL
VICE MAYOR, SECOND DISTRICT
SUZIE PRICE
COUNCILWOMAN, THIRD DISTRICT
DEE ANDREWS
COUNCILMAN, SIXTH DISTRICT