New fees could be in place for residents who plan on using the Cordell public swimming pool this summer.
The public swimming pool was closed in 2020 for pandemic-related issues, but the city hopes to have it open for its customary summer season this year.
The proposed fees represent a 100 percent increase in daily-use passes for those ages 12-64 and seniors and 50 percent for those 5-12 years old compared to the 2019 season, the last time the pool was open. Season passes saw increases from 13 to 30 percent. (See Chart).
“We thought it would make it easier for people to look at it and possibly feel more comfortable about investing in season passes because it will save them a lot of money,” said councilwoman Cheryl Wedel.
The Cordell Municipal Swimming Pool Committee proposed the fees, which the full city council will have to approve at a future meeting, perhaps as early as February. Councilmembers Buddy Holman and Earlene Smith were on the committee with Wedel, who was charged with leading it. Amber Rich, who was the pool manager in 2019, provided guidance and counsel to the group, Wedel said.
The committee was tasked with looking at the pool’s rules and fees in November when council members discussed whether to implement a rule dictating how old a child could be left unattended at the pool.
“We did some more research. And there is a set of rules that was in place prior to this. They were just not strictly enforced all the time,” Wedel said.
The rules that were posted at the pool weren’t something that jumped out at people, Wedel said.
The committee did decide on two new rules.
“God forbid we ever have a pandemic again, but if there just happens to be like, what New York had a few years back when they had the measles outbreak, it gives the pool and the city the discretion to place extra rules for entry to the pool based upon health,” she said.
The other was to set out certain guidelines within the rules for those residents who were problems or troublemakers, Wedel said. Under the new rule, people will have a few chances to reform their behavior before they are sent home for a week.
In the event an individual causes problem (for example, refusing to follow the pool rules; refusing to follow lifeguard instructions, etc.), the following procedure will be used:
• First time - warning given
• Second time - sent to cool down
• Third time - sent home for the day
• Fourth time - Individual will be sent home for a week.
“We want to see them enjoy the pool, feel safe, there, feel comfortable there and feel like it’s not an arm and a leg that they’re spending, but they are getting their money’s worth,” Wedel said.
Wedel hopes that the vaccine will have been fully realized, that the weather will be nice this summer and the city can open the pool on Memorial Day.
“It would be awesome. I’m so excited about that possibility,” she said.
PROPOSED NEW FEE SCHEDULE
DAILY FEES
Seniors (65-plus) $2
Adults (12-64) $4
Students (5-11) $3
Children (4 and under) Free
Water walkers, adult swim Free
SEASON PASS
Individual Child (5-11) $65
Individual adult (12 and over) $85
Family (up to six people) $115
RENTAL FEES (2-HOUR-LIMIT)
No change
OLD FEE SCHEDULE
DAILY FEES
Seniors (65-plus) $1
All residents (5-64) $2
Children (4 and under) Free
Water walkers, adult swim Free
SEASON PASS
Individual Child (5-11) $50
Individual adult (12 and over) $75
Family (up to six people) $100
RENTAL FEES (2-HOUR-LIMIT)
1-25 people $50
26-50 people $75
Over 50 people $100