Rohnert Park to close two swimming pools

Rohnert Park residents will have fewer swimming pools this summer as a respite from the heat.

The Rohnert Park City Council voted 4-1 to close Alicia and Ladybug pools, the oldest and least used in the city.

The decision was made as Rohnert Park grapples with a $10 million deficit in the budget year that begins July 1, and ponders a series of sweeping measures to reduce expenses, including laying off public safety employees and consolidating city departments.

Three pools open: Honeybee, the city?s only year-round pool, and Benicia and Magnolia, both opening June 13 after school ends.

?The attendance versus cost of operating pools was exorbitant. They were not being utilized,? Councilman Jake Mackenzie said Wednesday of his reasons for voting to close the two pools for this summer. ?In a time of fiscal crisis, it made sense to consolidate our swimming operations into three pools.?

Joining Mackenzie in the majority were Mayor Amie Breeze, council members Pam Stafford and Gina Belforte.

The ?no? vote was cast by councilman Callinan, who had said previously that the savings from closing the pools wouldn?t solve the city?s budget problems and he hated to see Rohnert Park lose its amenities.

Mayor Amy Breeze earlier this month had opposed the closures, but said Wednesday that she changed her mind because of safety issues at the pools and potential liability for the city.

If the city did not upgrade the drainage and chlorine systems she was told there could be potential civil and criminal penalties in the event of a mishap.

City staff recommended closing Alicia and Ladybug pools because of $231,500 needed in repairs and $90,000 to operate during the 60-day swim season. The council in February approved $120,000 for repairs to the three remaining pools.

To help compensate for the closure of the two pools, there will be free swim weekends at the remaining aquatic facilities.

The city is still considering whether to replace Alicia and Ladybug pools with water spray parks, skateboard parks, or other amenities.