26.05 One Week Until Opening Day

We are just one week away from opening day and working hard to get East Park Pool ready for another summer.

What It Costs to Run a Community Pool

This year, memberships are slightly ahead of last year, which is good news. At the same time, last year’s budget was balanced only because we had savings to dip into. We do not have that cushion this year, which means we need to control costs carefully while also growing memberships, donations, rentals, and volunteer support.

Maintaining a community asset like East Park Pool that has served generations of Los Alamos families isn’t easy. That history comes with upkeep costs for pumps, plumbing, plaster, lights, fencing, furniture, deck areas, and the pool house.

Each summer, the pool has to cover major operating costs before a single swimmer gets in the water, including chemicals, water, electricity, insurance, inspections, payroll taxes, property taxes, repairs, and routine maintenance.

Unlike many nonprofits, we do not receive grants to cover any of these costs. East Park Pool depends entirely on memberships, donations, rentals, and volunteer support.

When you buy a membership, volunteer, donate, rent the pool, take a class, or invite another family to join, you are helping keep East Park Pool open for this season and the next generation.

Underwater Lights and Extended Hours

The underwater lights have been resealed and upgraded with LEDs, which should allow us to stay open later this summer. We hope expanded evening hours will give more members time to swim while also reducing crowding. Stay tuned for updated hours.

Swimmer-to-Guard Ratios and Pool Safety

Because we have only so many guards available, and only so much ability to pay them, longer hours may require us to spread staffing more thinly than in the past.

For that reason, we will be less tolerant this summer of unsafe or disruptive behavior that creates avoidable risk, distracts guards, or requires repeated correction. Members, parents, and guests are expected to follow posted rules, respond promptly to guard instructions, and help keep the pool safe for everyone.

Swimmers who repeatedly ignore safety rules may be asked to sit out, leave the pool for the day, or, in serious cases, lose pool privileges.

We want East Park Pool to be fun, relaxed, and welcoming, but also safe, affordable, and open as much as possible with the staff we have.

How You Can Help This Week

With opening day just one week away, the best ways to help are to renew or buy your membership and invite other families to join.

East Park Pool has been here since 1962 because generations of families chose to support it. This summer will depend on the same thing. Thank you a million times for supporting East Park Pool.