Agenda Item Wording:
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Aquatics Facility Joint Use Agreement and Acceptance of Visalia Unified Sponsorship for Registration Fees for Swim Team Program - Authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year facility use agreement with Visalia Unified School District that includes the City’s use of the pools at Mt. Whitney, Golden West, and El Diamante for community aquatics programs and acceptance of VUSD sponsoring registration fees for students in the swim team program.
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Deadline for Action: 5/19/2025
Submitting Department: Community Services
Contact Name and Phone Number: Jason Glick, Parks & Recreation Director, jason.glick@visalia.city (559)713-4042, Laurissa Roggenkamp, Recreation Manager (559)713-4336,laurissa.roggenkamp@visalia.city and Eric Ferreira, Recreation Supervisor eric.ferreira@visalia.city (559)713-4178
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year facility use agreement with Visalia Unified School District (VUSD) for the use of the pools at Mt. Whitney, Golden West, and the El Diamante during the 2025 spring and summer seasons. This agreement will facilitate the City’s aquatics programs and include the provision for VUSD to sponsor registration fees for students enrolling in the swim team program.
Background Discussion:
For decades, the City’s Recreation Division has provided aquatics programs to the community, largely through partnerships VUSD pool facilities. Over the years, the City has contributed significantly to the development of several aquatic sites, including full or partial funding for the construction of pools at Redwood High School, Mt. Whitney High School, Golden West High School, and El Diamante High School.
In 1982, the City fully funded the construction of the Redwood Pool, and in 1984 it purchased the original Golden West Pool, an aluminum structure that was notably used as a warm-up pool during the 1984 Olympic Games. Following these investments, formal agreements were established between the City and the Visalia Unified School District (VUSD) to allow public use of these facilities.
Currently, agreements covering Mt. Whitney, Golden West, and El Diamante pools have expired. In response to the community’s continued interest in aquatic sports, water safety education, and recreational swimming, City staff and VUSD have worked together to draft a new joint-use agreement. This updated agreement will ensure continued access to these high school pools during the spring and summer months.
Under the proposed agreement, the City will continue offering a wide range of programs, including swim teams, swim lessons, public swim sessions, and aquatics enrichment activities.
The pool at Redwood remains under a separate, active 99-year lease agreement with the City, which extends through 2081. Under the terms of this lease, the City incurs no usage fees for the pool during summer months.
Through this agreement the City will have priority usage of the pools at Mt. Whitney, Golden West, and the El Diamante during the specified hours listed in the agreement, and VUSD will invoice the City at the non-profit (Schedule II) rate for pool usage and custodial charges. The estimated total rental and custodial fees are not to exceed $35,000.
Public Swim is available at Redwood throughout the 10-week summer break, offering an affordable opportunity for children and families to enjoy the pool and cool off. Certified lifeguards are present to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. In 2024, the program saw a total attendance of 1,700 individuals, with an average of 48 attendees per day.
Swim Lessons are offered during an 8-week period each summer, Monday through Friday, for community members ages 6 months and up. These lessons play a vital role in the community as swim lessons significantly decrease the risk of drowning. In 2024 over 1,100 individuals participated the City’s swim lesson program.
The City facilitates three recreational swim teams, which utilize VUSD pools five nights a week for practice and swim meets from May through July. On average, 600 children participate in the swim team program, with approximately 60% of participants being VUSD students. In 2024, VUSD sponsored the registration fee for its students in the swim team program, totaling $56,800. For the upcoming 2025 season, VUSD will continue its support by covering the enrollment fees for VUSD students, with an estimated contribution of $65,675 ($185 per participant).
This agreement represents a mutually beneficial arrangement between the City and Visalia Unified School District, contributing to the enrichment of community recreational opportunities and ensuring that all students have the opportunity to participate in aquatic sports. Approval of this agreement will enable the City to continue providing quality aquatics programs for the benefit of the Visalia community.
Fiscal Impact:
There will not be additional fiscal impact as the City has already budgeted for these program expenditures and revenues.
Estimated expenditure for pool use and custodial fees not to exceed $35,000.
Estimated revenue for VUSD students enrolled in swim team program, $65,675.
Prior Council Action: None
Other: None
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorization for the City Manager to execute a one-year facility use agreement and sponsorship of swim teams with Visalia Unified School District as outlined above.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Joint Use Agreement.