Commission Recommends Proposed Aquatic Center Fees

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended the proposed fees. It did not give final approval. The fees will be voted on by the City Council later this month.)

Members of the Palm Desert Parks & Recreation Commission unanimously recommended proposed fees for the new Aquatic Center this morning during a meeting held just outside the construction site at the north end of Civic Center Park.

The fee schedule has two tiers: one for Palm Desert residents; the other for non-residents. The City Council will vote on the fees at its May 12 meeting.

Ryan Stendell, senior management analyst for the project, suggested that all city employees should qualify for resident rates, an idea that was subsequently accepted and recommended, as well.

Karen Creasey, aquatics director for the Family YMCA of the Desert – which will handle day-to-day operations for the center – said that her staff was in the process of preparing a policies and procedures manual that would incorporate the new fees and also codify staffing requirement.

“Right now, including lifeguards, we’re looking at a staff of 30 to 35 people – all part-time,” she said.

Commission members also discussed the center’s grand opening, which is officially set for June 11.

Meanwhile, the possibility of a “soft” opening held sometime over the Memorial Day weekend was also discussed. However, Creasey stressed that any such event would be restricted to staff members and city officials.

Following the meeting, commission members and other attendees were invited to don vests and hardhats and take part in a brief tour of the facility construction site.

Fees for the Palm Desert Aquatic Center are as follows:

Palm Desert Resident

Non-Resident

Adult (13-59)

$4

$6

Youth/Senior (6-12/60+)

$3

$4.50

Junior (2-5)

$2.50

$3.75

Adult punch card (25 visits)

$94

$142

Youth punch card (25 visits)

$65

$98

Adult three month pass

$150

$225

Youth three month pass

$110

$165

Adult annual pass

$550

$825

Youth annual pass

$420

$630

According to a city staff report, all group rates, rental fees, lane rental fees, facility rentals and concession fees will be determined by the YMCA.