It’s been called one of the jewels of Sedona. And for some residents, they’d like to see that jewel on public display more than it is these days.
The Sedona Community Pool opened in 1974 by the Sedona-Oak Creek School District, which still owns the facility. Through an intergovernmental agreement, the city is responsible for operations, repairs and improvements of the pool while school programs take priority over public programming.
During the Sedona City Council meeting Nov. 24, Parks and Recreation Manager Steve Richardson and Recreation and Aquatics Supervisor Dawn Norman went over current usage, possible future changes and comments, concerns and misconceptions about the pool’s operation.
Even though COVID-19 has impacted use this summer, the biggest challenge f has been the lack of lifeguards. Most are high school or college-age students, and while the return rate from one summer to the next is high, just finding those interested has been difficult.
“This is not a challenge specific to Sedona — this is a national issue,” Richardson said of the lack of lifeguards.
He said they don’t simply seek high school or college students and that anyone who passes their lifeguard certification and has a flexible schedule can be hired. By comparison, in the summer of 2017, the city had 26 lifeguards, which Norman admitted was too high. This summer they had just nine. Every year, on average, only half are from Sedona.
Due to the pandemic, online registration was required to use the pool this year. So, for the first time, parks and recreation was better able to track where people were coming from as opposed to just usage. From June 6 to Aug. 16, there were a total of 688 users, 43% from Sedona while 57% came from elsewhere, with Flagstaff making up 26% of the total number. Norman said that may be due to the fact that Flagstaff does not have an outdoor pool.
“Would it be fair to say that 3% of the residents [of Sedona] use the pool at the most?” Councilman Tom Lamkin asked.
Norman said that would be correct.
Richardson presented three scenarios. However, there are no costs tied to each. Those figures will be put together and presented to council at a later date.
Option A: The pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This option is recommended by staff.
PROS
■ In line with what most outdoor public pools offer across the state.
■ Provides lifeguard recruiting and training period.
■ Reduces issues with promising a longer season and not being able to execute due to ongoing staffing issues in shoulder months.
■ Provides maintenance additional time to ensure pool is operating efficiently.
■ Most cost-effective season with chemical costs, heating and staff pay.
■ Less intrusive with team practices and meets.
■ Public can join Masters swim team program during off season.
■ Option to supplement swim teams to add lap swim time in off season months [if possible].
CONS
■ Frustration from some swimmers who do not want to join a team for the off season or who desire recreation rather than lap swim.
Option B: The pool is open from April to November.
PROS
■ Appeases swimmers who desire for regular pool use spring into fall.
■ Some years weather is warmer.
CONS
■ Will continue to have staffing issues hiring lifeguards to work when schools are in session.
■ Will likely require full-time, year-round lifeguards.
■ Possible cancellation/ limited offerings to shoulder seasons resulting in frustrated swimmers.
■ It can be cold during some months. In the event of an incident, conditions can pose liability challenges.
■ Added costs for chemicals, heating, staff pay, etc.
■ Pool user numbers drop significantly in off season months.
Option C: The pool would be open year-round, which would mean hiring three to four full-time lifeguards with benefits.
PROS
■ Would allow for pool access all year long.
■ Would enable department to offer a consistent, regular schedule.
■ Could offer year-round programming such as aqua fitness classes, lap swim and recreation swim.
CONS
■ By far the most expensive scenario.
■ Currently swim teams pay for winter operations.
■ Difficult to keep lifeguards busy year-round.
■ Would have to close when temperatures drop below a certain temperature.
■ Would have to supply lifeguards with adequate cold season gear.
■ Facility not built as a year-round facility.
■ Poses safety challenges for required weekly in-service lifeguard training.
■ Likely still challenging finding lifeguards.
■ Pool user numbers drop significantly in off season months.
City Manager Justin Clifton said he encouraged council to give input but added that the topic would be discussed in January during their annual retreat.
“If the direction is, yes, we want to explore expanding the operation of the pool, the mechanism would likely be a decision package for the budget,” Clifton said.
