The Gustine Aquatics Center is celebrating its 72nd year of operation, marking a significant milestone for a facility that has been an integral part of the community since its inception. Municipal pools, such as the Gustine Aquatics Center, play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life within a community by providing recreational fitness and social opportunities that promote overall well-being.

As with many municipal pools, the Gustine Aquatics Center operates through the use of discretionary funds, such as the General Fund, rather than a cost recovery model, according to a recent presentation to the Gustine City Council. In recent years, the annual transfer from the General Fund required to balance the Aquatics Center's budget has increased due to rising inflation, minimum wage adjustments, and other capital improvement program needs.

Key changes have been implemented to help manage these financial challenges. The pool entry fees increased from $3 to $4 in FY 2023-2024, along with an increase in fees for pool parties, movie nights, expanded programming, and seasonal pass offerings. These efforts have contributed to growth in overall revenue. However, they have also led to increased expenses due to expanded staffing needs.

For FY 2023-2024, the expenses of the Aquatics Center were broken down into categories such as employee expenses, chemicals, maintenance, training, utilities, and insurance. Each component has been analyzed across the fiscal year, accounting for the unique timing of the Aquatics Center's seasonal operations (June through August). The total expenses for 2023-2024 amounted to $151,298.44, with $95,074.13 allocated for employees, the largest share. Other expenses include insurance, maintenance, and chemicals. The revenue for 2023-2024 was $54,884.50, with pool fees accounting for 66%, donors 19%, and concessions 15%.

A breakdown of the past three years was included in the staff presentation to analyze the Aquatic Center's expenses and trends over time. Since the Aquatics Center season spans two different fiscal years, its operations are managed similarly to the Fireworks Fund. Some of the findings were:

• 2021-2022: Higher maintenance costs due to capital purchases (e.g., pump) and timing of training expenses.
• 2022-2023: Lower training costs due to delayed invoice submission but increased payroll and utility expenses.
• 2023-2024: Reflects growth in programming, opening Saturdays, fee adjustments, and timing of training expenses carried over from prior seasons.

• Maintenance Costs: Increased significantly in FY 2021-2022 due to the purchase of a new pump and other necessary supplies.
• Minimum Wage & Workers Comp Increases: Reflected in the FY 2022-2023 and FY 2023-2024 budget and beyond, impacting payroll costs.
• Insurance and Utilities: Consistent increases annually, as expected.
• Training Costs: Variations due to invoice timing. For example, training invoices from mid-season (e.g., July) may shift expenses into the following fiscal year.
• Training Requirements: The Red Cross updated lifeguard training standards, requiring guards to shadow seasoned staff for more hours. This adjustment necessitated an increase in payroll to ensure compliance.
• Safety Staffing: To accommodate additional programming, extended hours onto Saturdays, and ensure pool safety, more lifeguards were required, further increasing employee wages and associated costs.
• Concession Management: Bulk purchasing has been implemented to reduce costs, resulting in year-to-year variations in reported expenses but ultimately raising concession profits.

The presentation showed that while the Aquatics Center has seen increased patron attendance, several pressing issues still need to be addressed. The pool's perimeter fence requires replacement for safety reasons, as the current fence is outdated, lacking sufficient structural integrity at certain sections and no longer meeting current safety standards. A higher, updated fence would resolve these issues. Other critical needs include relocating chemical storage for improved safety, upgrading the pool deck to enhance usability and appearance, and making necessary repairs to the snack bar area.

Staff conducted a survey following the 2024 season to gather patron feedback. Among the most popular programs were swim lessons, Aqua workouts led by lifeguards and a Zumba instructor, as well as Open Swim and Movie Nights. Other activities, such as private parties and lessons, also received positive attention.

In 2022, there were 2,094 participants for movie nights and open swims. In 2023, this number increased to 2,488, and in 2024, it reached 2,924.

The various programs have also grown from 269 in 2022 to 275 in 2023 to 305 in 2024. These programs include lap swim, Aqua Zumba, workouts, Baby and Me, private lessons, and lifeguard training.

Survey questions addressed facility entry, lifeguard performance, facility quality, and overall experience, earning an impressive average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Patrons were also invited to leave comments and suggestions. Feedback included requests for updated restrooms, facility improvements, and shorter wait times. Many patrons praised the lifeguard staff for their professionalism and dedication and appreciated the recent upgrades.

For the 2025 season, staff aims to address key operational and facility improvements to enhance the patron experience. The goals for 2025 include:

• Develop Lifeguard Instructors (LGIs) Within the Agency: Establish an internal Lifeguard Instructor program to reduce the costs associated with hiring external instructors for training.
• Upgrade Credit Card Systems: Implement a tap-to-pay system to expedite transactions at the front entrance and snack bar, reducing wait times and improving customer service.
• Restroom Upgrades: Utilize the Facility Maintenance Worker to upgrade restrooms and facility, enhancing the overall experience for guests.
• Install a Durable Shade Structure: Replace existing restroom shade structures with more durable options to avoid the need for annual replacements, resulting in long-term cost savings.
• Redevelop Lifeguard Incentive Program: Redesign the lifeguard incentive program to maintain motivation and retention while ensuring it is more cost-efficient for the agency.

Despite these challenges, the City of Gustine remains committed to maintaining and improving the Aquatics Center. City staff has been diligent in addressing the facility's wear and age, making every effort to enhance its condition. Last year's resurfacing project, approved by the City Council, was a significant improvement, enhancing the pool's functionality and aesthetics while addressing longstanding maintenance needs.

In addition to the resurfacing project, a sponsorship program introduced several years ago has been highly successful in supporting various enhancements to the Aquatics Center. This program has funded purchases such as shade structures, new tables, lifeguard incentive programs, and snack bar upgrades, contributing to the facility's overall appeal and usability.

The Gustine Aquatics Center continues to be a valuable asset for the community, offering a safe and enjoyable environment for residents to stay active and socialize. As the facility celebrates its 72nd year, the City of Gustine looks forward to continuing its efforts to provide a high-quality aquatic experience for all.

For more information about the Gustine Aquatics Center and its programs, please visit the City of Gustine's website or contact the Parks and Recreation Department.