City Staff Proposes Changes to Water Park Operations
It may be a cold January night but there’s a hot spot on the Gaithersburg City Council agenda tonight.
City staffers are proposing some changes to the operations at the Water Park for the 2016 season, including updated fees for nonresidents and limiting the size and number of groups visiting the pool during the summer swim season.
Aquatics Superintendent Jennifer Mogus said the popular facility has seen an increase in attendance over the past three years with the majority of visitors coming from outside the city limits.
According to Mogus, a whopping 87-percent of the visitors last season visited the Water Park from outside the city of Gaithersburg.
In a background memo to the City Council, staff wrote: “Not only has the higher volume been taxing on the pool equipment and new amenities, there has been a rise in water rescues, first aid (including those requiring EMS), and incidents (requiring police). In an effort to encourage resident usage, improve the overall level of safety and security, and preserve the recently renovated property for years to come, several policy changes are recommended for the 2016 season.”
The recommendations include updating the nonresident and group fee schedules, limiting size and numbers of groups, revising the Swimming Pool Rules and Regulations, declaring a smoke free facility and modifying the entry pattern and procedures. City staff also proposes that the first hour of operation be dedicated to residents and members of the Water Park, prior to opening to the public and the pavilions be changed to a rental with city residents having first option.
Gaithersburg City Councilmembers are expected to discuss staff’s proposal at Monday night’s meeting. You can watch the meeting on the city’s website.
2015 Water Park Daily Attendance
Residents: 8,658 visits
Nonresidents: 61,833 visits
Water Rescues
2015: 359 assists
2014: 324 assists
I often go to this pool and I live in Gaithersburg, but I’m not consider a resident of Gaithersburg. My address says Gaithersburg but I get charged as an out of resident is very unfair. I have to pay extra to come to this pool as if I live in a different county. I live in Montgomery County. We should have people who live outside of the county pay the out of residents.
I agree with the first comment. I live in Gaithersburg. That is what my license says but yet I have to pay non resident prices as well because I don’t live in the “city”. The numbers are not realistic. They should charge everyone outside of Gaithersburg. Charge for people in Rockville, Derwood, Germantown, Clarksburg etc.
I live in Gaithersburg and never been there because it’s always too many people. I agree residents should get first dibs we live here and can’t even visit because of outsiders. Limiting the size of groups, charge for larger and out of towners. They should have to rent the property by the hour.
I agree with the above statement. I don’t think that it is fair that although you have a “Gaithersburg “address and not considered a city resident you are charged a nonresident fee. I guess the city of gaithersburg doesn’t want people to come to the pool anymore. The cost of using the pool has gotten crazy and to think I don’t even get in the pool I only go because my son likes to go swimming…I guess we will just have to find some place else to go.