West Austin Neighborhood Group

To those concerned, please note the following resolution passed Council today. A step in the right direction.

RESOLUTION NO.

WHEREAS, Aquatic facilities have been an essential part of the
Austin community and culture since 1927, beginning with the operation of
Barton Springs pool, and after 1930 via the construction of other Aquatic facilities including neighborhood and wading pools (i.e. free public entry) and municipal pools (i.e. paid public entry) throughout Austin; and

WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to continuing over eighty years of providing free or subsidized swimming pool facilities for the Austin community; and

WHEREAS, over 1,000,000 Austinites and visitors enjoy the use of these swimming pools annually despite sometimes limited operating schedules and closed facilities due to budget constraints; and

WHEREAS, neighborhood, wading and municipal swimming pools dispersed all across Austin are a community benefit available to all and mirrors our commitment to increasing the public’s access to open space via pocket parks; and

WHEREAS, research indicates that swimming is an activity that provides a myriad of benefits: it improves general health and wellness; it can be continued for a lifetime; it allows those who are unable to walk or run the opportunity for exercise; it fills a recreational need for both individuals and families across all economic and social strata; and it improves safety by enhancing water safety among youth our children; and

WHEREAS, neighborhood pools provide relief from the high temperatures during the summer months and allow our citizens to avoid driving or driving longer distances to larger municipal pool locations; and

WHEREAS, the benefits of swimming promote an active and fit community that, in turn, ensures that Austin remains attractive as both an economically vibrant city and as a recreational destination; and

WHEREAS, the City of Austin management has suggested engaging an outside consultant to address the future of aquatics in Austin; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN:
The City Manager is directed to draft an aquatic facilities comprehensive master plan through a public process, with the participation of neighborhood associations and other interested stakeholders, incorporating:
1) an analysis of all existing Aquatic facilities including physical condition and historic significance;
2) a future needs assessment based on population growth projections of size and geographic distribution;
3) inclusion of best practices for both operations and programming; and
4) an assessment of funding sources.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the aquatic master plan include strategies to ensure that Austin’s neighborhood pools remain open and free.

ADOPTED: ______________, 2012 ATTEST: ______________________
Shirley A. Gentry
City Clerk