Agenda Item Wording:
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Aquatics Facility Use Agreement and Registration Fee Sponsorship - Authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year facility use agreement with Visalia Unified School District for the City’s use of the pools at Mt. Whitney, Golden West, and El Diamante High Schools for community aquatics programs and accept sponsorship of swim team registration fees for participating students.
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Agenda Date: 06/15/2026
Prepared by: Eric Ferreira, Recreation Supervisor, Eric.Ferreira@visalia.gov, 713-4178, Laurissa Roggenkamp, Recreation Manager, Laurissa.Roggenkamp@visalia.gov , 713-4336 and Jason Glick, Parks & Recreation Director, Jason.Glick@visalia.gov, 713-4042
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 2026 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.
Summary:
The proposed joint-use agreement between the City and Visalia Unified School District allows the City continued access to the pools at Mt. Whitney, Golden West, and El Diamante High Schools for the spring and summer aquatics programming. Under the agreement, the City will receive priority use during the specificized hours in the agreement and will be charged at the nonprofit rate, with estimated costs not to exceed $40,000. VUSD will also continue to sponsor the registration fees for VUSD students enrolled in the City’s recreation swim team program, helping ensure equitable access to youth aquatics sports.
The pool access enables the City to operate key aquatics programs, including swim lessons, recreational swim teams, and public swim session that serve thousands of residents each year. The pool at Redwood High School remains covered under a separate long-term least at no rental use cost to the City for summer use.
Background Discussion:
The City’s Recreation Division has provided aquatics programs to the community, largely through partnerships with 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 one-year joint-use agreement for the 2026 Spring and Summer seasons. This agreement will ensure continued access to these high school pools for community recreation aquatics 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 fees are not to exceed $40,000.
City Aquatic Programs:
Public Swim is available at Redwood throughout the 9-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 2025, the program saw a total attendance of 1,660 individuals, with an average of 40 attendees per day.
Swim Lessons are offered during an 8-week period each summer, Monday through Friday, for community members aged 6 months and up. These lessons play a vital role in the community as swim lessons significantly decrease the risk of drowning. In 2025 over 1,000 individuals participated in 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 mid-May through July. On average, 600 children participate in the swim team program, with approximately 60% of participants being VUSD students. In 2025, VUSD sponsored the registration fee for its students in the swim team program, totaling $58,090. For the upcoming 2026 season, VUSD will continue its support by covering the enrollment fees for VUSD students, with an estimated contribution of $59,660 ($190 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 including annual maintenance and operating costs: The City has budgeted for the aquatics program expenditures and revenues. Estimated expenditure for pool use and custodial fees are not to exceed $40,000. Estimated revenue for VUSD students enrolled in the swim team program is $59,660.
Prior Council Action: 5/19/2025 City Council Authorized the City Manager to execute a one-year agreement for the 2025 spring and summer aquatics program seasons.
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City Manager to execute the one-year facility use agreement and sponsorship of swim teams with Visalia Unified School District.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 06/15/2026
Attachments: 2026 Joint Use Agreement between VUSD and City for pool use and program sponsorship
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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