COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Alex Posada, Recreation and Parks Director
DATE: March 18, 2025
SUBJECT: Presentation and Rebate Check from SoCalGas for Energy -Efficient Pool Covers
The City Council will receive a presentation and rebate check for $14,371 from SoCalGas for the purchase of new swimming pool covers for the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center through the Public Sector Regional Energy Pathways program in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce.
BACKGROUND:
The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is a vital community facility that provides year -round aquatic programs, including recreational swimming, lap swimming, and competitive events. To maintain operational efficiency and reduce costs, the City has historically utilized pool covers to retain heat and minimize water evaporation. However, the existing pool covers were outdated and inefficient, leading to increased energy consumption and higher heating costs. To address this, the City pursued energy -efficient solut ions to improve cost savings and sustainability.
Through the Public Sector Regional Energy Pathways program, an initiative led by the Chamber of Commerce in partnership with SoCalGas to assist public entities in implementing energy-efficient upgrades, the City qualified for a rebate by replacing the aging pool covers with new, high-performance models designed to reduce heat loss and natural gas usage.
DISCUSSION:
The installation of the new pool covers at the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center aligns with the City’s commitment to sustainability and cost savings. The upgraded covers provide significant benefits, including:
Energy Efficiency: The new covers help retain heat more effectively, reducing the need for natural gas heating.
Cost Savings: By limiting heat loss and evaporation, the City anticipates a reduction in natural gas consumption.
Water Conservation: The covers reduce evaporation, decreasing the need for additional water refilling and treatment.
2 The Chamber of Commerce, through its Public Sector Reg ional Energy Pathways program with SoCalGas, has recognized these efforts and awarded the City a rebate check of $14,371 to help offset the cost of purchasing and installing the new pool covers.
This rebate is part of the broader effort under the program to encourage municipalities to invest in energy-efficient infrastructure.