Staffing, infrastructure improvements underway at Palm Springs Swim Center

The Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Commission met Monday evening to give an update on their efforts to improve the Palm Springs Swim Center (PSSC), delivering welcome news for patrons.

One of the biggest goals in improving PSSC was hiring an aquatics manager, Caylie Pasat. Pasat was hired about three months ago, and she gave the presentation to the commission, updating them on the steps she is taking to bring the PSSC into the future. 

She said some of the biggest improvements have been in staffing. Two offers have gone out for full-time lifeguard positions, and Pasat is designing a shift schedule to have three lifeguards on during operational hours. 

One of the biggest concerns from residents was the crumbling and outdated infrastructure and cleanliness of the PSSC. Pasat told the commission that the major capital project for improving the restrooms, locker rooms, fencing, and ADA access is in the design phase. 

Richard Mignault, a coach with the Palm Springs Masters swim team, was the sole public comment at the meeting and spoke on behalf of himself and other concerned swimmers.

He applauded much of the efforts from the commission to solve the long-standing issues, but he said he failed to see any help from the ad hoc commission that was set up to address the PSSC.

“We are seeking to understand what role the ad hoc committee will take in working with the public on an ongoing basis to help improve and maintain the swim center in the long term,” he said. He wonders if it has any other purpose aside from “simply reporting on what is being done by Parks and Recreation management.”

Though staffing, infrastructure, and cleanliness were at the top of mind for residents, Pasat said there were also swimmers asking for more events, classes, and opportunities for recreational swimming. 

“Currently, our facility is mostly used by lap swimmers and teams,” she said. The teams include the Palm Springs High School, the Elite Otters swim team, and the Palm Springs Masters swim team. 

One of the new classes Pasat wants to offer is deep water aerobics, offering a more rigorous workout than the current shallow water aerobics class.

She also said that PSSC staff is taking American Red Cross training, so they should be able to give swim lessons to all ages by the beginning of summer 2024. 

Starting Monday, the PSSC will shift its hours Monday through Saturday to 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. to give swimmers an extra hour in the morning. Starting Oct. 8, on Sundays, the pool will be configured for 50-meter long course swimming. 

Pasat acknowledged that the pool is most regularly used by lap swimmers, “We’re not really speaking to the families in the capacity that I would like to,” she said. She suggested switching up the lane configuration to accommodate other activities in the shallow and deep areas of the pool. 

Though Mignault is pleased with the early improvements being made at the PSSC, he worries that some of the 150 issues he and others have detailed in a written report are being pushed aside.

“It seems that many of the operational issues we have raised are being pushed into master plan discussions for the Parks and Recreation Department,” he said, referencing the planning document meant to guide the future of the Parks and Recreation Department. 

“Most of the items the public have raised are not master planning issues,” he said. 

There will be another community outreach meeting focusing on improvements at the PSSC sometime this fall, with a date to be announced shortly. 

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