I understand that there have been some questions/complaints regarding the swimming pool this season.  I think it is very important to make sure we are providing the information the Community needs and wants, and to also make sure they have answers to their questions.  Call/email me at any time if you have any questions about the pool (or the water/wastewater operations).  Please feel free to direct anyone in the community to call/e-mail me with questions as well.  I am happy to help provide answers/information at any time.  I understand that it is impossible to make everyone happy, and I am definitely not trying to do that.  Instead, I would like to make sure everyone knows the reasons behind the decisions, whether they agree with the decisions or not.

Here is a general FAQ list that I hope will help provide information to the public regarding the swimming pool:

Why is the pool admission $3 this year?

On April 20, 2017 the Town Council approved the increase in pool admission from $2 in 2016 to $3 in 2017. The reason for this cost increase is to try to offset the increase in lifeguard wages that are a result of the voter-approved minimum wage increase that became effective in January 2017.  The voters of Arizona approved the minimum wage in 2017 to be $10/hr –  therefore the Town of Mammoth will need to pay 25% more this year in wages to lifeguards.  The costs to operate the pool and pay lifeguards are significantly more than what the Town takes in from admissions.  Thankfully, the Town Council and Town Manger feel it is important to keep the pool open this year, despite the fact that the Town loses money, because they know it is a great benefit to the community.

Does everyone need to pay $3 every time they visit the pool?

No.  Purchasing punch cards will allow people to enjoy the Mammoth pool this summer for less than $3. A single punch card is $25 for 12 visits – that’s $2.08/visit.  A Family Pack of 5 punch cards is $100 – that’s $1.67/visit.  And, during the month of May, punch cards will be an even better value as we will sell them at last year’s prices:  $20 for a single punch card and $85 for a family pack of 5 punch cards (remember in May only).

Punch Cards can be purchased at Town Hall (using cash, check, credit or debit) or at the pool (cash or check).

Also, kids 6 and under get in free with a paying adult.

And finally, there are two free days scheduled at the pool again this year:  Memorial Day, May 29, from Noon – 3 pm, and the Fourth of July, from Noon to 3 pm.

My kids want to swim every day, but the pool is only open for Day Swim on Tuesday and Thursday.

Due to the increase in the minimum wage, we have had to cut back on the pool hours a little bit this year.  Also, from the pool admission records from last year, Day Swim was not well attended and in fact we were forced to close early many days because not enough swimmers came to the pool.

Night Swim is staying the same, and was very popular last season.

Also, we have added a Sunday Evening Family Swim. Families can come out to the pool while it is still warm and light outside, but not blazing hot like in the middle of the day.

If your kids still can’t get enough of the pool, the Sea Lions Swim Team is practicing at the pool Monday – Friday through the Fall, with swim meets on Saturdays in June and July.  The Team has 3 home meets scheduled this season at the Mammoth Pool. Kids do not need to know how to swim to join the swim team.  The team is always looking for kids who like to be outside, exercise, compete, and have fun in the water.

And finally, the Town and the Sea Lions Swim Team will again be offering Free Swim Lessons this summer for all ages and abilities, even adults! The first session begins May 30 and runs through June 15.  The second session starts June 20 and ends July 7.  Each 3-week session runs Tue-Wed-Thur from 9:30 am – 10:30 am.

Planning and Zoning Commission seat open