Donations Keep Y Summer Swim Program Afloat

Operators of Santa Paula’s only public swimming pool have seen enough money float in during the last month to stave off closure for the second successive year.

The Ventura Family YMCA, which leases the outdoor pool from the high school district, had threatened to close the facility unless the community raised $9,000 by July 31. But a recent anonymous contribution of $5,000 provided enough funds to meet the pool’s $30,000 annual maintenance cost.

“It’s nice to see a community really rally behind one of their assets, especially when it looks like they might lose it,” said YMCA Executive Director JC Holt. “It’s very obvious that there are several community leaders there that really care about what goes on for the kids in that community.”

The influx of cash means the pool will remain open for the remainder of the summer and possibly through the end of October if demand warrants.

Now Holt is trying to ensure the money shortage doesn’t become an annual event. A last-minute financial bailout also rescued the pool from closing last year.

An education official recently suggested that the city and Santa Paula’s two school districts jointly subsidize the pool’s operating costs, Holt said.

“Hopefully we can make a proposal to all three groups that will be attractive to all of them,” he said. “This is something I would like to solve within the next 30 days because if not, we’re going to start the [financial] planning process again for next year.”

Even with a solid financial foundation, the YMCA would still conduct fund-raisers, Holt said. But this time, money would be raised for scholarships for children who cannot afford the modest pool admission charge, he said.

Meanwhile, publicity over the possible pool closure has had the unintended consequence of boosting attendance levels, said pool supervisor Sheryl Maniss.

“We’re exceeding our expectations,” she said, adding that sales of community memberships that give patrons discounts on lessons and other benefits have more than tripled. “With all the publicity people are coming out and saying ‘Wow, I didn’t realize you were open.’ ”