Dear Council Member
Re: Support for Resolving Menlo Aquatics Budget and Contract for Swim
Accessibility and Community Development
I am writing to express my happiness and immense satisfaction with the
current Burgess Pool programming and operations, and my support for Team
Sheeper’s operations. I would like to ask for your efforts to modify the
contract and adjust the budget for the Menlo Park pools so that both pools
can serve the community with service levels and programming appropriate to
their usage and that the operations are financially sustainable by Team
Sheeper.
My Long-term Commitment to Menlo Park Pools
My three children grew up swimming at Burgess and were part of the youth
swim team. I swim with the Menlo Masters program and have been a member
since 1997. I also have a monthly lap swim membership. I’m very grateful to
the City of Menlo Park for maintaining a year-round pool and engaging an
excellent operator that keeps the pool and area clean, safe and
accessible.
Year Round Public Pools Provide Important Access
Redwood City has not had a public pool since 2021 when Herkner Pool was
demolished to make way for a new YMCA. The demolition of Herkner Pool
happened to make way for a new senior center and YMCA building. That means
that children in Redwood City have not had access to a public pool for
learning to be water safe and swim since before COVID. Up until the pool
closed, Herkner was a seasonal pool, open only from May to October. There
was a brief period beginning in 2013 when Team Sheeper contracted to use
Herkner Pool while the Burgess Park pool was being reconstructed. The 350+
members of Menlo Masters via the Team Sheeper contract were able to support
the operations of the pool year-round benefitting all swimmers at Herkner
at the time.
While non-residents may not be the highest priority to Menlo Park, a
significant amount of revenue and good will is generated by use of the pool
by non-residents. 45% of Burgess Park pool usage is by non-residents. As a
non-Menlo Park resident, I am willing to pay the 35% fee differential for
the privilege of swimming at Burgess Park with Team Sheeper programming.
Programming Excellence
The sustained programs that Team Sheeper has initiated and supported like
Menlo Masters, AquaFit, Menlo Mavericks, Menlo Mavens (women’s water polo)
and summer camps provide a steady revenue source for Burgess. More
importantly they provide fitness, community connection and important
services to Menlo Park residents and those of surrounding communities who
value these exceptional programs. There are few pools that offer such a
wide variety of programming to as many different needs.
I believe that no one can run the pool as competently as Tim Sheeper and
his staff. Team Sheeper has successfully served as many people as possible
from a wide spectrum of age groups with the end goal of individuals
connecting with others in the community and personally becoming happier,
healthier and stronger. They excel in producing high quality programming by
recruiting, training, developing and retaining premium staff members. I
enjoy interacting with them. I believe they are proud to work at a Menlo
Park public facility that contributes so much to the wellness of the
community.
The pools are an important wellness resource. We risk losing programming,
pool open hours, staff that have been built over years if changes are not
made to create a financially viable operation.
Consider these Requests for Financial Viability of Menlo Park’s Pools
Menlo Park’s own Parks and Recreation Committee recommended that City
Council strongly consider several remedies to sustain operations at Belle
Haven Pool. [Staff Report from Library and Community Services meeting
3/11/2025, pertaining to Agenda Item K-1]
-
Temporarily suspend the requirement for a minimum 63 hours of operation
per week in the Agreement, while retaining the seven-day, year-round
schedule
-
Increase user fees by 5%-7% but defer the escalation of non-resident
fees to 35% above the resident fees to a later time
-
Increase the fees for lane rentals to be more consistent with the higher
rates charged in other jurisdictions
-
Waive the operator’s revenue share payment to the City
Additionally, Team Sheeper has requested a subsidy of ~$230K to offset the
cost of lifeguards and pool personnel (no management fees) for the
additional hours needed to comply with the contract.
Negotiate and Resolve Belle Haven Financial Shortfall for the Benefit of
the Community
I write to encourage you to continue the relationship with Tim Sheeper and
his organization and to work with him to make both pools both an asset to
the community and a viable business. I am grateful that you have made the
time to be leaders in our community and to be open to public comment on a
wide range of topics.
Sincerely,
Kim Freitas
Redwood City, California
