Title
Parks and Recreation Aquatics Update
Description
This report provides the Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee an update on the Parks and Recreation Department (Department) 2024 Aquatic Season.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
During a typical aquatic season, City of Phoenix pools welcome more than 463,000 visitors to the aquatics facilities. The Parks and Recreation Department has provided programming to include over 2,700 swim lesson classes, swim and dive recreational teams, water basketball teams and water safety classes with over 20,000 participants. Approximately 650 staff were typically hired each year to operate and provide services at all 29 aquatics facilities.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all swimming pools were closed in 2020. As a result, the Department lost the majority of its aquatic workforce and, like cities across the country, has continued to face aquatic staffing shortages. In 2021, the Department opened 12 pools with limited programming. In 2022, 14 pools were open for the entire summer. During 2023, 12 pools were open all summer with 6 additional pools being open in only June or July, therefore providing the public with 15 pools open at once.
The Department’s goal for 2024 was to open 23 of 29 pools. Eastlake Park Pool is under renovation and expected to open in 2025. Additionally, there are a total of 5 pools that will be repurposed into neighborhood splash pads as part of the voter-approved General Obligation Bond program.
The aquatics team works year-round recruiting and training lifeguards and swim lesson instructors due to the large number of seasonal aquatics staff needed each year. Staff continue to utilize a variety of methods to promote aquatic job opportunities including cashiers, lifeguards, swim lesson instructors, assistant managers and pool managers. Recruiting methods include visiting highs schools with direct interaction during lunch hours, physical education classes and career fairs, as well as sporting events. Staff also distribute information to colleges through job fairs, participation at community events and through social media.
To further assist with recruitment efforts, the Department increased hourly wages for all certified aquatics positions and is offering a $3,000 hiring and retention incentive for pool managers and a $2,000 hiring and retention incentive for assistant managers, swim lesson instructors and lifeguards. The incentive has assisted in attracting returning and new candidates. As a result of these efforts, 79 percent of the aquatics staff from 2023 have indicated they plan to return for the 2024 season.
Additionally, in 2023 the Department implemented a new Shallow Water Lifeguard position. This position was established to support individuals aspiring to become lifeguards but whose swimming abilities fell short of the prerequisites for guarding deep water. Previously, such individuals were denied entry to certification courses. Now, they have the chance to enhance their swimming skills and obtain certification at a water depth of four feet, in contrast to the standard certification, which requires proficiency in waters of 12 feet or deeper.
To promote future lifeguard opportunities, the Department offers Junior Lifeguard and Lifeguard Academy programs for youth ages 14 to 17 in June through August. These programs teach water safety, teamwork, and leadership skills. For those successfully completing the Lifeguard Academy, they will obtain Lifeguard and CPR certifications.
To enhance recruitment efforts for assistant pool managers and pool managers, the Department hosted 11 additional training sessions in 2023 for assistant pool managers to better prepare them for opportunities of advancement in 2024. In addition, staff continued the hands-on Accelerated Assistant Manager Training program by identifying and training lifeguards interested in promoting to the assistant manager position for the 2024 season. While the Department has seen positive results due to recruitment efforts for lifeguard positions, the number of assistant pool managers and pool managers is still below the number needed to open the goal of 23 pools in 2024.
In an effort to open as many pools possible, the Department reviewed plans to have pool managers oversee more than one pool along with two assistant managers at each site. Considerations also included having some pools open in only June or July. Decisions were made on which pools will be open in 2024 based on geographic location and pool attendance to ensure communities across the City have access to a public pool. The following 16 pools listed will be open during the entire 2024 Aquatic season:
• Coronado • Maryvale
• Cortez • Paradise Valley
• Deer Valley • Pecos
• El Prado • Perry
• Encanto • Roosevelt
• Falcon • Starlight
• Harmon • Sunnyslope
• Madison • Washington
The following two pools will be open for one month during the 2024 Aquatic season:
• Cielito (May 25 to June 27)
• David C. Uribe (July 1 to July 28)
The Department will continue with restoring aquatics programming, offering youth swim lessons at all open pools, as well as adult swim lessons and water exercise at select pools. Additionally, six recreation swim teams will be added at select sites this year.
Youth swim lessons are for participants ages six months to 12 years old and will be held June 3 through July 25. Each session consists of eight, 30-minute classes. Due to the Department’s commitment to ensure programs are affordable and accessible to everyone, each session is $15, which equates to $1.88 per class. These prices are the lowest in comparison to other nearby municipalities. Also, thanks to a generous donation of $10,000 from the Arizona Diamondbacks, over 800 swim lesson spaces across all open pools will be discounted to $3 and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
A total of 15 open pools will also be designated Kool Kids pools that allow kids 17 years and younger to swim for free. The Kool Kids donations this year include $60,388 from the Milwaukee Brewers and $10,000 from Salt River Project. Admission for open swim at non-Kool Kids locations is $1 for kids and seniors, and $3 for adults. The 2024 pool season runs Memorial Day weekend through the end of July, with select pools open through Labor Day. Registration for June swim lessons and water exercise classes will begin on April 25, 2024; and registration for July swim lessons and water exercise classes will begin on June 14, 2024. Registration will be ongoing throughout the summer as space is available.
The 2024 Aquatics Plan was reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Board on March 28, 2024.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager John Chan and the Parks and Recreation Department.