The County currently has an annual agreement with the Town of Kershaw whereby the County and Town each pay one-half of the costs of pool operations, after pool revenues are determined. In addition, the current agreement also outlines the County and Town will split any capital replacement items or address any capital improvement needs.
The cost of the agreement to the County for FY24 is $15,251.65. The Town of Kershaw is considering a new partnership with the YMCA of Upper Palmetto that outlines the YMCA providing enhanced pool operations and extending the pool season to encompass 550 hours for the summer pool season.
This proposed arrangement would increase the operational hours of the pool and require some facility improvements, thus increasing the operating costs that would traditionally be shared between the Town and County. The anticipated increase in operating expenses would raise the County cost to approximately $32,264 annually, plus contribution to the capital expense that is expected to total $23,208 over the three years. The Town is asking for a three-year commitment of $40,000 a year for a total of $120,000, to address the expanded pool hours and capital costs.
As part of the County's funding commitment, membership in the YMCA would not be required to use the pool, and the Lancaster Parks and Recreation Department would be able to utilize the Stevens Park Pool as part of their summer camp program at no charge to program.
The Town is asking for consideration at this time, and outside of the budget process, in order to determine the County's level of support for the pool before going forward as they work to finalize their arrangement with the YMCA, and before the pool is open for summer operations.
Over the past six years, the County's share of support for the Kershaw Pool in Stevens Park is as follows:
FY24 $15,251.65
FY23 $12,042.95
FY22 $18,204.93
FY21 covid closed
FY20 $15,720.84
FY19 $29,666.16
The total County share over the past six years, minus the covid year, was $90,886.53 for a yearly average of $18,177.30, minus the covid year.