2005-06-27 Regular Meeting, Workshop Meeting and Public Hearing of La Porte City Council

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City of La Porte Parks and Recreation Department Swimming Pool Report July 12, 2005 Overview The City of La Porte, with a population of approximately 34,000 people, operates six municipal swimming pools. Four of the pools are considered specialty pools, and two pools are traditional pools. The specialty pools are: 1) the Little Cedar Bayou Wave Pool, 2) the Northwest Park zero depth pool, 3) the San Jacinto zero depth sprayground pool, and 4) the Recreation & Fitness Center heated lap pool. The two traditional pools are: Fairmont Pool and Brookglen Pool. The cost of operation and revenues generated for the RFC pool is embedded in the RFC operations and is not included in this report. The cost of operation for the five public pools for the 2004 swim season was $254,111, with revenues generated of $159,185 for a net operating loss of $94,926. This compares very favorably with the 2003 numbers, of 257,347 in expenditures, $142,814 in revenues, with a net operating loss of $114,533, an 18% reduction in operating loss for the year. This can be attributed primarily to the increase in Wave Pool admissions from $3 to $5 for non-residents. Even though the attendance was down due to more rainouts than in 2003, revenues from operations were up (see attached Summary of Operations, 2004). Survey Results Staff has conducted a survey (see attached survey) of eleven surrounding communities to determine several factors related to their swimming pool operations. Some pertinent information gleaned from the various cities is as follows: Prices for neighborhood pools and zero depth pools range from free (City of Houston) to $2.50 (Bellaire). • There are only two public wave pools in our area; La Porte and Mount Belvieu, with La Porte charging $3 for residents and $5 for non-residents ($1 for seniors), and Mt. Belvieu charging a flat $5 for everyone (up from $4.50 last year). • Except for the City of Houston, La Porte operates more public pools than any other area city surveyed. • 5 public pools for 34,000 citizens equates to 1 pool for every 6,800 citizens of La Porte, which is the lowest ratio of any city except Mt. Belvieu. • By comparison, Pasadena, with 125,000 citizens and 4 pools equates to 1 pool for every 31,250 citizens. Houston's ratio is 1 pool for every 60,000 citizens. Tactics for Increased Usage, La Porte Neighborhood Pools During the budget process last year, Council asked the Department to implement some new ideas to promote the two neighborhood parks, Fairmont and Brookglen. As shown on the attached memo, the City has implemented the following marketing strategies: