SIMI VALLEY : Park District, Schools to Split Pool Expense

The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District has agreed to split a $28,500 funding shortfall to keep a pool open at Rancho Simi Community Park for at least the next year.

The park district board Thursday ratified the compromise agreement that was approved earlier this week by the Simi Valley Unified School District, which will cover the other half of the deficit.

“This gets us through the next year,” said Jerry Gladden, general manager of the park district. “Hopefully, we’ll have this resolved by this time next year so it doesn’t come up again.”

A committee will explore alternatives for cutting costs and raising money to cover the pool’s operating expenses after this year, Gladden said. Ideas include corporate sponsorships and fund-raising events, officials said.

The school district already pays $40,000 per year toward the pool’s $107,000 annual cost, because high school swim and diving teams use the facility for practice and competition. Other fees come from private clubs that use the pool and daily admission fees during the busy summer months.

Park district officials had threatened to close the 50-meter pool from September to June because of state budget cuts. The school district does not have an Olympic-size pool, and a smaller facility at Simi Valley High School has fallen into disrepair.