Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to express my deep disappointment regarding the recent
schedule changes at Burgess Pool.
While I recognize the longstanding challenges with Menlo Swim and
Sport/Team Sheeper—and the City’s decision to renew its contract—it is
increasingly clear that community benefit continues to take a backseat to
profit. The new schedule is the latest example.
Burgess Pool will now be closed to the public on weekdays from 10 am–3 pm,
eliminating valuable daytime swim hours that many residents rely on. In
addition, weekend hours have been cut, with the pool closing one hour
earlier.
Beyond these major losses, the community is left with smaller, significant
frustrations:
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A new program now takes away three lanes from the performance pool
during peak morning hours (9:15–10 am on Mondays and Wednesdays).
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The wading pool for young children is only available from 1–4 pm,
coinciding with the most common naptime for babies and toddlers, making it
effectively inaccessible for many families.
My family and I, like many others, rely on Burgess as a community resource,
not just a business. We understand the importance of avoiding unnecessary
disruption, but at what cost? Why must residents continue to feel as though
Team Sheeper is holding our community pool hostage?
I strongly urge the City to reconsider this arrangement and explore
alternatives. Burgess should be operated with the community’s best
interests at heart, and I would welcome the opportunity to support a new
operator who prioritizes public access and equity over profit.
Sincerely,
Jessica Taylor
