City Commission approves pool reimbursement request from Hays Recreation Commission

By ALICIA FEYERHERM

Tiger Media Network

During Thursday’s meeting, the Hays City Commission approved a reimbursement request for pool expenses from the Hays Recreation Commission (HRC).

The City of Hays contracts with HRC to manage Wilson Pool and the Hays Aquatic Park. As part of the contract, any operating loss or surplus will be shared 50/50 between HRC and The City. 

Pool attendance dipped slightly to 44,299 visitors, down from 46,004 in 2024. Boyle explained that USD 489 schools ended the academic year a week later than usual, delaying the start of the pool season. As a result, May was the only month to experience a decline in visitors.

This year, HRC generated $289,845.37 in pool revenue but incurred expenses of $340,848.05, resulting in a total loss of $51,002.68. The City’s reimbursement portion is $25,501.34.

Boyle noted that the reimbursement is not the only City investment in the pool. The City also pays for items such as chemicals and mechanical pumping systems. With the reimbursement, the total City cost for the year comes to $118,696.60. 

Commissioner Shaun Musil pointed out that the City’s cost was considerably lower than it had been in previous years.  Boyle said there were no pump failures this year. Each pump costs about $12,000, which helped.

“There weren’t a lot of capital things that needed done,” Boyle said. “We did some concrete repairs, and that sort of thing, but not to the extent we’ve had in years past. We’re not letting things go, but we’re also being frugal with the spending down there.”

There are some improvements that will be needed at Wilson Pool, which Boyle will bring before the commission at a later date. Musil said the commission may discuss closing that pool at some point.

“I know there’s some details, and I’m not saying that it’s the right thing to do, I just think we should discuss it,” Musil said. 

The motion to approve the reimbursement of $25,501.34 passed 3-0 with Mayor Sandy Jacobs and Commissioner Alaina Cunningham absent. 

Other items from the meeting included:

• Award of $38,632 bid to Driggs Design Group for construction engineering service for exit 161 infrastructure
• Adoption of ordinances authorizing issuance of Industrial Revenue Bonds for Agility and Vernies Trux-N-Equipment

The next City Commission meeting will be at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23, at City Hall.