Mayor, Councilmembers and Staff,
I am concerned that we are still attempting to use a for-profit lens on a
pool that is designed to serve the community. I have several questions
regarding the Staff Report for Agenda Item I-4:
1. Is there a commitment to educating and developing current staff in
pool operation?
2. Will there be two working groups, Aquatics Working Group and Belle
Haven Task Force?
3. What power will the Belle Haven Task force actually have?
4. Is there a guarantee that the programs developed and maintained
will be as requested by the community?
5. If the Taskforce and BHCC Staff research and develop a hyperlocal
program within six months that does not require the services of Team
Sheeper?
6. Who will welcome and support subcontracts who meet the needs of the
community?
7. Who audits the residents who request hyperlocal fees and is there
an explanation for those denied status?
It appears that with the exception of opening later 2 nights of the week,
there is no benefit to the residents in Belle Haven who would like to use
the pool. Yet even the evening closure is earlier than Burgess. The Belle
Haven Poola and locker room are separate, allowing the pool to remain open
until 9:00pm
Here is a summary of responses when neighborhood residents were asked in
several community-based organization lead meetings:
- Extended and Flexible Hours
o Longer pool and facility hours, especially on weekends and later for
people who work (extended hours for lap swimming).
o Different, dedicated time periods for various age groups (children vs.
adults/seniors).
- Affordability and Cost
o Strong desire for free or low-cost access, especially for Belle Haven
residents, seniors, and low-income individuals.
o Suggested prices ranged from free to per person or monthly for
gym/pool access.
o The sentiment is that it should be a public good, not focused on
making money.
- Facility Comfort and Safety
o Requests for warmer water (especially for older people), a bigger
pool, a hot tub, a less crowded and more friendly atmosphere, and a more
secure location with improved street lighting.
- Operational Improvements
o Need for a hybrid system (e.g., advanced sign-ups for lap lanes),
cleaner water, and clear, consistently enforced rules of behavior for all
ages.
- Comprehensive Swim Instruction
o Demand for free or affordable swim lessons for all ages (children,
adults, seniors), particularly for low-income families and elementary
students.
- Health and Fitness Classes
o Interest in water aerobics/Zumba/Pilates and exercise classes for
seniors.
- Recreational & Family Events
o Requests for recreational swim, pool parties, weekend family events
(like the Halloween event), summer camps, and cultural events.
o Specific programs for disabled people and therapy/adaptive aquatics
were also mentioned.
- Organized Aquatics
o Interest in structured sports like water polo.
- Improved Advertising
o More and better advertising is needed regarding pool hours, days of
operation, and cost.
o Suggestions included using electric signs (like from Caltrans) and
broader marketing for the Onetta Harris/Belle Haven pool and gym.
o Large banner at entrance that can be seen from Terminal Avenue.
I look forward to a fair and equitable resolution to this matter, rather
than continuing to repeat the history of pools in this country.
Respectfully,
Pam D Jones
*Practice the presence of peace within, *
*for all we can do is the best we can do, *
*knowing the impossible dissipates *
*when **I* *becomes **WE.*
*PamÉlla*
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