Palo Alto is looking for community feedback as it considers a major change to its popular aquatics program.
The city plans to host a community meeting Tuesday evening to discuss a proposal to outsource the management of the aquatics program. The meeting comes just months after the city had agreed to outsource swimming lesson for youths at Rinconada Pool.
The council agreed in January to contract the swimming lessons out to Team Sheeper, the company that provides a similar service at Burgess Pool in Menlo Park.
Now, it looks like the city is considering an even broader role for the company. An announcement of the meeting states that the city is seeking input about a potential use of the third party -- Palo Alto Swim & Sport -- to manage the city's aquatics programs.
The entity was recently founded by Tim Sheeper, who heads Team Sheeper, and is in effect the same company. According to the Community Services Department staff, the company also operates a learn-to-swim program for San Ramon.
Expanding the city's existing contract with Team Sheeper would allow the city to provide more hours of lap and recreation swimming, according to staff. The company has "a record of exceptional customer service and dedication to safety in and around the pool," staff told the Weekly in an email.
To ensure that the city doesn't lose too much control over its swimming operation, Palo Alto staff are negotiating a contract amendment that would allow the city to develop pool schedules and make pricing adjustments with Team Sheeper. According to staff, this should "reduce potential disadvantages that could arise from using a third-party operator."
The Tuesday meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Adobe Room at the Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Road.
Comments
Crescent Park
on May 15, 2017 at 7:52 pm
on May 15, 2017 at 7:52 pm
Dear Weekly -- To clarify (you should verify and update your article), the proposed contract would be directly with Team Sheeper, not a newly formed sub-company. "Palo Alto Swim & Sport" is just what they're proposing to call the operations at Rinconada for clarity in the community and marketing. Menlo Park does is the same way. Their contract is with Team Sheeper, but they call the pool activities at Burgess "Menlo Swim & Sport."
Crescent Park
on May 16, 2017 at 1:58 pm
on May 16, 2017 at 1:58 pm
I'm highly dubious that the Sheeper plan will be able to maintain Rinconada's high quality, as it meets the many needs of Palo Alto residents -- octogenarians, recovering runners, pregnant moms, time-strapped professionals, etc.
Why is Director DeGeus incapable of managing the city's pool? Isn't that what he's paid for?
another community
on May 16, 2017 at 6:13 pm
on May 16, 2017 at 6:13 pm
I no longer live in the area but when I lived in Menlo Park and swam at Burgess after TEAM Sheeper started managing the facility, TEAM sports became the priority and recreational swimmers second so please be careful when you negotiate with Team Sheeper if you decide to outsource.
Professorville
on May 17, 2017 at 9:19 am
on May 17, 2017 at 9:19 am
We need another pool that can accommodate everyone of all ages for recreational swim, play for kids and aqua classes. It should be a year round pool. It's not good that there is no pool for kids to play in all year round.