Title
Reopening of Community Centers and Pools in the Parks and Recreation Department
Description
This report provides an update to the City Council on the status of reopening community centers in the Parks and Recreation Department and requests City Council approval to increase capacities for open swim and swim lessons at Phoenix pools and to remove the requirement that youth must be accompanied by someone at least 16 years old for open swim.
Report
Summary
On May 5, 2021, the Phoenix City Council approved the Parks and Recreation Department’s tiered reopening plan, based on feedback from the City’s contracted public health professional and the City of Phoenix overall risk category per the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) Community Transmission Indicators.
The Parks and Recreation Department implemented the plan with the opening of 11 large community centers for summer youth camps and registered programs on June 7. The camps provide activities for youth ages six to 12 and are at 65 percent registration capacity overall, with open spots available at all centers.
The reopening plan also called for the department to move into the next phase of reopening when the AZDHS Community Transmission reached the Moderate Transmission category. On June 10, the overall risk category reached the Moderate Transmission category. Therefore, effective June 21, the 11 open community centers increased program capacity to 75 percent; fitness rooms opened at 50 percent capacity; and other gym activities became available by reservation.
Further, effective June 28, 2021, Tier 2 small centers opened at the same capacity percentages. Centers that do not offer formal summer recreation programs opened for drop-in recreation activities for select classes and programs, which will require registration and/or appointments. All community centers are now open (Attachment A).
To align with increased capacities at indoor facilities, staff is requesting City Council approval to increase capacity limits at the pools. At present, open swim and swim lessons are offered at modified capacities. The department is recommending to increase open swim and swim lessons to 100 percent capacities and remove the requirement that youth must be accompanied by someone at least 16 years old for open swim upon approval.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Parks and Recreation Department.