Title
Aquatics Annual Updates
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FileID
2026-00618
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Location
Location: Citywide
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Recommendation
Recommendation: Receive and discuss.
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Contact
Contact: Sjon Swanson, Recreation Manager, (916) 808-6049, sswanson@cityofsacramento.org, Department of Youth Parks, and Community Enrichment
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Presenter
Presenter: Anna Koch, Aquatics Recreation Supervisor, (916) 808-2348, aakoch@cityofsacramento.org; Patrick Maridon, Aquatics Recreation Supervisor, (916) 808-6054, pmaridon@cityofsacramento.org, Department of Youth, Parks, and Community Enrichment
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Presentation
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Additional Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
This report provides a summary of the Aquatic Section’s operation over the 2025 season.
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Background
Background
The Aquatics Section maintains and operates 18 aquatic facilities throughout the City, including one Regional Aquatics Complex, 12 Neighborhood Pools, 4 Wading Pools, 1 Splash Pad, and 1 Community Center.
In 2025, the City operated 18 aquatic facilities: North Natomas Aquatics Complex (District 1), Johnston Pool (District 2), Robertson Wading Pool (District 2), Mama Marks Splash Pad (District 2), Doyle Pool (District 3), Bertha Henschel Wading Pool (District 4), Clunie Pool (District 4), Glenn Hall Pool (District 4), Southside Pool (District 4), Mangan Pool (District 5), McClatchy Pool (District 5), Colonial Wading Pool (District 6), George Sim Pool (District 6), Oki Pool (District 6), Tahoe Pool (District 6), William Land Park Wading Pool (District 7), Cabrillo Pool (District 8), Pannell Meadowview Pool (District 8).
During the 2025 Summer season, all Neighborhood Pools and Wading Pools were open at least 5 days a week, with the hub pools of Clunie Pool and Pannell Meadowview Pool open 6 days a week, and the North Natomas Aquatics Complex (NNAC) open 7 days a week for recreational swimming. The Summer 2025 season began June 14 and ended August 17 for most pools.
Operations - Programs
The Aquatics Division offers a multitude of programs throughout the City, including Recreational Swimming, Lap Swimming, Swim Lessons, Aquacise, Lifeguard Certification Courses, Special Events, and other aquatics programming. The aquatics program schedules prioritize meeting community needs while operating in a fiscally responsible manner.
Recreational Swimming
In 2025, recreational swimming was offered at 17 aquatic facilities throughout the City. Most pools operate seasonally for the summer, with recreational swimming offered on the weekends in Spring and Fall at Clunie Pool and NNAC. 2025 saw 98,516 recreational swim visits to the City’s aquatic facilities, 62,277 of those visits were by youth.
Highlights of the 2025 Summer season included: the grand reopening of Southside Pool; multiple Council District sponsored days at Cabrillo Pool, Mangan Pool, Oki Pool, Pannell Meadowview Pool, and Tahoe Pool; Neighborhood Association rentals at Tahoe Pool; a Movie Night at NNAC; and the grand opening of the Mama Marks Splash Pad.
|
Rec Swim Attendance 2025 |
|
Cabrillo |
2,188 |
|
Clunie |
11,317 |
|
Doyle |
3,466 |
|
George Sim |
4,124 |
|
Glenn Halll |
2,255 |
|
Johnston |
1,953 |
|
Mangan |
2,466 |
|
McClatchy |
2,195 |
|
NNAC |
38,957 |
|
Oki |
1,830 |
|
Pannell Meadowview |
10,801 |
|
Southside |
3,354 |
|
Tahoe |
5,522 |
|
Total |
90,428 |
|
Wading Pool Attendance 2025 |
|
Bertha Henschel |
2,479 |
|
Colonial |
2,330 |
|
Robertson |
692 |
|
William Land Park |
2,587 |
|
Total |
8,088 |
Lap Swimming
In 2025, lap swim programming was offered year-round at the NNAC, from April to October at Clunie Pool, and during the summer season at Southside Pool, Tahoe Pool, and Pannell Meadowview Pool. In 2025, 9,333 visitors participated in lap swim programming.
|
Lap Swim Attendance 2025 |
|
Clunie |
4,323 |
|
NNAC |
4,258 |
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Pannell Meadowview |
107 |
|
Southside |
371 |
|
Tahoe |
274 |
|
Total |
9,333 |
Swim Lessons
The Aquatics Section provides equitable access to swim lessons, ensuring that learn-to-swim programming is available to learners of all ages city-wide. Swim lesson programming was offered at all 13 pools during the Summer 2025 season, and programming was offered in the Spring and Fall at Clunie Pool and NNAC. 2,884 registrants attended swim lesson programming in 2025.
Lifeguard Certification Courses
Throughout the Fall, Winter, and Spring, the Aquatics offers multiple American Red Cross Lifeguard certification courses led by full-time and part-time City staff. These 32-hour courses teach, train, test, and certify participants in the fundamentals of water rescue skills, CPR, and first aid skills. Courses are held at NNAC and Clunie Pool. In 2025, Aquatics certified 145 lifeguards.
Junior Lifeguard Camps
Junior Lifeguard Camps provide youth 12-15 years of age with a foundation in water rescue skills and help participants prepare for enrollment in an American Red Cross Lifeguard course. In 2025, Junior Lifeguard Camps were held during the summer at Clunie Pool, McClatchy Pool, Pannell Meadowview Pool, and NNAC. 82 youth participated in the Junior Lifeguarding program in 2025.
Basic Water Safety
The City’s Basic Water Safety programs provide youth and adults, ages 3 years old and up, with three, 30-min no-cost classes focusing on age- and ability-appropriate activities that teach essential basic swimming and water safety concepts. In 2025, the City provided Basic Water Safety programming at Cabrillo Pool, George Sim Pool, Johnston Pool, Mangan Pool, McClatchy Pool, and Oki Pool for 309 participants.
Aquacise
Aquacise classes offer participants a low-impact workout, combining light aerobic activity with water exercises set to music. The City’s Aquacise classes are especially popular with older adult participants, and the Aquatics Section was excited to debut two pop-up style Aquadance classes at NNAC for Summer 2025.
8,358 participants attended classes at Clunie Pool, George Sim Pool, Mangan Pool, NNAC, Pannell Meadowview Pool, and Tahoe Pool in 2025.
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Aquacise Attendance 2025 |
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Clunie |
2,911 |
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George Sim |
26 |
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Mangan |
208 |
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NNAC |
3,987 |
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Pannell Meadowview |
493 |
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Tahoe |
733 |
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Total |
8,358 |
Swim Team
Aquatics offers summer season recreational swim teams that focus on swim training and pre-competitive instruction. The City offers swim teams at Clunie Pool, Glenn Hall Pool, Pannell Meadowview Pool, and NNAC. Throughout the summer, participants are provided the opportunity to compete in swim meets at Pannell Meadowview Pool and NNAC. In Summer 2025, 347 swimmers participated in swim team programs.
Special Events
In 2025, the Aquatics Section hosted several community special events at NNAC and Pannell Meadowview Pool. In April, Aquatics hosted its annual Aquatic Egg Hunts at NNAC and Pannell Meadowview Pool, attracting a combined 448 participants.
In May, the Aquatics hosted the second annual Water Safety Day at Pannell Meadowview Pool, a free event dedicated to educating and empowering the community to be safe in and around the water. In partnership with the City of Sacramento Fire, the American Red Cross, and other local organizations, the event was filled with valuable safety tips, interactive demonstrations, and free recreational swimming.
This fall, NNAC hosted a Floating Pumpkin Patch, with 130 participants diving into swim with the pumpkins.
Scholarships and Reimbursements
YPCE and the Aquatics Section offer scholarships and reimbursement programs to offset the cost of water safety programs, learn-to-swim programs, and to assist potential staff members in obtaining required certifications. In 2025, $102,619 in scholarships and reimbursements was awarded to help registrants pursue safe recreational swimming and develop water safety skills.
Youth Program Scholarship Fund
The YPCE Youth Program Scholarship Fund (YPSF) ensures youth ages 0-24 and families with financial need have access to quality recreation programs throughout the City of Sacramento. Eligible Aquatics programs include Swim Lessons, Swim Team, and Junior Lifeguard Camps. 748 registrations for eligible Aquatics programs were received, totaling $61,765 awarded.
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2025 YPSF Scholarship Swim Lesson Registration by Pool |
|
Pool |
Total Swim Lesson Enrollment |
YPSF Registrations |
% Swim Lesson Registrants Receiving YPSF by Pool |
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Cabrillo |
36 |
11 |
31% |
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Clunie |
662 |
220 |
33% |
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Doyle |
144 |
47 |
33% |
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George Sim |
31 |
19 |
61% |
|
Glenn Hall |
73 |
5 |
7% |
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Johnston |
37 |
15 |
41% |
|
Mangan |
31 |
5 |
16% |
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McClatchy |
26 |
5 |
19% |
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NNAC |
961 |
202 |
21% |
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Oki |
28 |
11 |
39% |
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Pannell Meadowview |
425 |
155 |
36% |
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Southside |
76 |
13 |
17% |
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Tahoe |
314 |
40 |
13% |
|
Total |
2,844 |
748 |
26% |
Adult Swim Safe Scholarships
The Aquatics continued to provide scholarships for learn-to-swim programs for adult learners demonstrating financial need. Eligible programs include Swim Lessons and Lap Swim Memberships. Thirty-two registrations for eligible programs were received, totaling $1,736 awarded.
Lifeguard Scholarships
The Aquatics offers Lifeguard Training Scholarships to cover the cost of City of Sacramento lifeguard certification course fees for applicants who meet the course prerequisites, go through the City's hiring process, and are willing to work at least a full season as a lifeguard for the City. In 2025, 47 Lifeguard Training Scholarships were awarded, totaling $11,280.
Staff Reimbursements
For current City of Sacramento safety staff who have successfully worked a full season as a lifeguard, reimbursements for certification course fees are available. In 2025, 21 reimbursements were issued to staff to cover certification course fees, totaling $4,158.
Summer Reading Program
The Summer Reading Program partnership with Sacramento Public Libraries enables readers to earn free pool admission passes for themselves and one supervising adult to a City of Sacramento Pool. In 2025, this partnership resulted in 3,785 free admissions, 2,067 of which were youth, for a total of $23,680.
Operations - Staffing
In 2025, Aquatics employed 196 part-time staff for positions such as Cashiers, Pool Managers, Assistant Pool Managers, Senior Lifeguards, Lifeguards, Aquatics Specialists, Utility Workers, and Building Monitors. 193 staff members, or 98%, of the aquatics part-time team were youth aged 15-24 years old.
Recruiting enough staff to safely open pools throughout the City requires a highly coordinated recruitment process that begins each Fall. In 2025, the Aquatic staff recruited at 52 events throughout the City, including: high school lunch hours, job fairs, local swimming and water polo team practices, community events, neighborhood association meetings, and YPCE department events.
Operations - Facilities
North Natomas Aquatics Complex
The North Natomas Aquatics Complex (NNAC), a regional aquatics facility unlike any other in the City, has been operated since 2022. NNAC's versatile design allows for a diversity of programming opportunities. The Aquatics Section has worked to recruit and maintain relationships with community entities to expand aquatic programming through long-term user group partnerships. These partnerships include NNAC usage by local youth and adult year-round swim teams, youth water polo teams, and a youth artistic swimming team. In 2025, user groups provided over 14,000 lane usage hours of programming at NNAC.
The Aquatics Section partnered with DART swim team to host the 2025 TYR Pro-Series Swim Meet at NNAC. This televised and streamed meet featured swimmers from all over the world, including current and former Olympians. The multi-day schedule means teams have a large impact on the City economy, as many participants and spectators stay in the Sacramento area for the entire week of competition.
North Natomas Community Center
In addition to a multitude of aquatics facilities, the Aquatics Section operates the North Natomas Community Center (NNCC). NNCC is a ballroom-style space that hosts community programming and is available for private event rentals. 2025 saw an expansion of recreation programming opportunities at NNCC. Youth programming included Zumba classes, STEM workshops, and the Young Leaders of Tomorrow, Prime Time Teen, North Natomas Workforce Development Programs, in partnership with the YPCE Youth Workforce Development Section. Older Adult programming included ballroom dancing programs and a partnership with the UC Davis GROW program.
In 2025, NNCC hosted 109 facility rentals for events including non-profit fundraisers, community fairs, birthday parties, quinceañeras, wedding receptions, high school proms, and celebrations of life.
Through the YPCE Community Center Fee Waiver and Reduction program, and newly introduced non-profit rental rates, $89,308 in facility fees were discounted or waived in 2025. These programs enable qualifying organizations to host community events at NNCC at significantly reduced rates. Qualifying events included a community bike swap, multiple Front Street Animal Shelter pet vaccination and spay and neuter clinics, community meetings, City of Sacramento department meetings and trainings, and school district-sponsored celebrations.
Southside Pool Grand Reopening
Southside Pool celebrated its grand reopening on June 14th, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community celebration. Representatives from the Council District, PCEC, and the City spoke about the improvements made to the facility and expressed appreciation for the teamwork that brought the project to completion. Attendees enjoyed sponsored rec swim and refreshments as they welcomed the start of the Summer.
Mama Marks Splash Pad Grand Opening
Mama Marks Splash Pad celebrated its grand opening on May 31st. Representatives from the Council District, the City, and the community spoke at the event. The splash pad operated 7 days a week from 10:00 am - 8:00 pm through October 1st, offering a significant increase in access to aquatics amenities compared to the hours of operation for staffed wading pools.
Survey Data
In 2025, the Aquatics Section assessed and expanded surveys to include questions evaluating community benefit and value of programs to participants. 745 respondents shared feedback on their experience with aquatics programs, facilities, and services. 82% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that swimming at the pool was good value for the cost. 88% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the pool facility staff were welcoming, and 88% agreed or strongly agreed that lifeguard staff watching the pool were attentive. 89% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, "Swimming contributes to my and/or my family's overall wellbeing". 93% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, "My neighborhood pool is beneficial to my community."
Specific to aquatics program participants, 98% of respondents said they would attend the program, or a similar City aquatics program, again. 93% of respondents said their experience in the program met their expectations. 90% agreed or strongly agreed that the program was good value for the cost.
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: Not applicable.
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EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: None.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: Not applicable.
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Sustainability
Sustainability: Not applicable.
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Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment provides annual updates to commission on Community Centers and Community Recreation.
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
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