LTC 209-2002
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. :lO'f -:;J.OOJ...
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Subject:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez \ . ~
City Manager () ~~ 0
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT WINTER POOLS
OPERATING SCHEDULE
Date: September 10, 2002
To:
From:
The Administration is aware you have received a number of citizen comments concerning
the implementation the Recreation Division's winter swim schedule. Specifically, the
citizens are expressing their dissatisfaction with the staggered operating schedule for the
morning lap swimming. The following is the schedule that will be implemented on October
1, 2002. (Please be advised that the Flamingo Pool will be closed from September 23rd to
September 30th, 2002 for warranty and final construction punch list items).
Scott Rakow Youth Center Pool
Open Swim - 6:45 A.M. -10:15 A.M.
Tuesday & Thursday
Flaminoo Pool
Open Swim - 6:45 A.M. - 8:45 A.M.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
The staggered schedule is being implemented in order to better manage our available
resources. The average daily cost to open the Scott Rakow Pool for the morning swim
session is approximately $140. The average daily cost to open the Flamingo Pool for the
morning swim session is approximately $200. If the Recreation Division were to offer a
morning swim session at each facility it would be an estimated additional cost of $820 per
week. The winter schedule extends from October 1, 2002 - May 1, 2003. The estimated
total cost to keep both facilities open during this period is approximately $25,420. This is
staffing cost only and does not include the costs of heating, facility maintenance, and other
related operational expenses.
Current usage of the two pools is also a factor in having a staggered schedule. At present
there is not enough usage to justify keeping both facilities open in the mornings. According
to current daily attendance sign-in sheets maintained at each pool for the period of 9/1/02-
9/9/02, the Rakow Youth Center pool has averaged 7.67 persons perday, with the highest
attendance being 13 swimmers. The Flamingo pool has averaged 13.13 swimmers per
day, with its highest attendance being 18 individuals in the 2-hour period. Based on the
documented usage since the end of summer, the combined total daily attendance of both
pools can easily and comfortably be accommodated in one facility. In order to accentuate
user satisfaction, the pool staff will work with the swimmers to coordinate direction and lane
use based on the swimmer's ability.
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It should also be noted that with the end of daylight savings time the Flamingo pool will be
closing at 6:00 P.M. due to no deck lighting. All evening swims will be held at the Scott
Rakow Youth Center. Please refer to the attached copy of the Fall Recreation Review,
(pages 8 & 9) for a comprehensive summary of all pools schedules.
A concern has been expressed by one resident that the City is continuing to charge an
admission fee of $1.25 for adults and $.75 for children throughout the year. The
Commission on July 31,2002 approved this action in an effort to generate some additional
income to offset the pools substantially increased operational costs. Also, swimmers have
requested lane lines and backstroke flags for Flamingo Pool. They are being ordered and
will be installed as soon as they arrive.
The Flamingo pool was designed with extensive community input and the requests for the
interactive play pool and 8-lane lap pool that was constructed was a direct result of this
process. It was clear that the community's desire was for a recreational facility that would
meet the needs of the majority of residents. At the time the Flamingo pool plan was being
developed, the option of a 50-meter competition pool was also reviewed. It was estimated
to construct a 50-meter competition pool would have exceeded the construction budget by
approximately $1.7 million, would have substantially increased the annual operational
budget for the facility and would not have permitted the construction ofthe interactive water
playground.
This Administration and the Parks and Recreation Department are committed to customer
service, as well as, properly managing our resources to deliver these services. It is our
professional opinion that the winter swim schedule, as proposed, will accomplish this
objective 'n the most efficient manner.
c: Robert C. Middaugh, Assistant City Manager
Kevin Smith, Parks & Recreation Director
Sugar Firtel, Assistant Director of Recreation
F:\rcpa\$aII\Kevin\CITYMAN\CM.L TC_Pools Winter Hours.doc