Public Comment - Item 12.a — Santa Maria City Council, June 2, 2026

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

My dad credits his healthy longevity to swimming. He swims even in the wintertime. I know that older population can develop a healthy life style through swimming all year long.

My kids have and currently swim for Santa Maria Swim Club. They both benefit so much from this club.

They are responsible young men because of the swim club. Isn’t this what we want for our youth?

In addition, aquatics contributes to Santa Maria's economy. Swim meets bring athletes, families, and visitors to our community who support local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. A prolonged closure would also make it difficult to retain qualified lifeguards, instructors, and aquatic staff.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,

Agnes Wallace

Dear City Council Members,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposal to close our community pool from December through May.

Our pool is an incredible community resource that serves residents of all ages throughout the entire year. For many children, it provides consistent opportunities for exercise, skill development, and athletic training. Local high school swimmers also rely on the facility to continue training during their off-season, helping them maintain their fitness and competitive abilities.

My own family has benefited tremendously from this facility. I have three sons who have been swimming at this pool since they were babies, beginning with the parent/child Parks and Recreation swim classes.

Over the years, the pool has become an important part of their lives.

They now swim here six days a week, year-round, using the facility for exercise, training, and personal growth. It has been wonderful to watch them develop not only as swimmers but also as disciplined, healthy, and active young people through their involvement in aquatic programs.

The pool is valuable for adults as well. As a teacher, I have regularly used the pool for lap swimming during my winter break in December and January. Swimming provides an important source of exercise, stress relief, and overall wellness during a time when many outdoor recreational options are limited.

Rather than reducing access to this important facility, I would encourage the City to explore ways to expand its use. There is clearly strong demand for aquatic programs in our community. Every time I attempt to register my young daughter for swim lessons through Parks and Recreation, available spots fill within minutes of registration opening. This demand demonstrates how much local families value and need access to aquatic programming.

Given our mild climate, our community is uniquely positioned to offer year-round swimming opportunities. Expanding access to swim lessons would not only provide recreation but would also promote water safety, an essential life skill for children. With so many families eager to participate in aquatic programs, closing the pool for half of the year seems contrary to the needs of our community.

I respectfully urge the City Council to reject the proposal to close the community pool from December through May and instead consider ways to maintain and strengthen this valuable community asset. The pool is far more than a recreational facility—it is a place where children learn life-saving skills, athletes train, families spend time together, and community members of all ages support their physical and mental well-being.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Allyson Appel
Santa Maria, CA 93454

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

We have been a part of the Santa Maria Swim Club since 2020 and both of our kids rely on continuous swimming for a healthy life balance. My daughter is also a lifeguard and relies on that income. In addition, they both are striving to swim in college and a closure of months would eliminate that opportunity for them. This is a sport that they both excel at and would be devastated to lose. They both performed very well at CIF for their high school this year and earned spots on the podium. That would not have happened without the excellent coaching they receive on a continuous basis. The aquatic center is much more than a swimming pool. It provides an essential community service through swim lessons, water safety education, youth recreation, competitive athletics, and opportunities for healthy physical activity for residents of all ages.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Amanda Broggie
Parent / Community Member

To the Santa Maria City Council,
I am writing to you with deep concern regarding the proposal to close our public pool during the months of December through May.

I have lived in Santa Maria my entire life. My family roots here run deep. My grandparents bought their home in Old Orcutt in the 1940s, my parents were raised here, and I was born and raised in this community as well. This city is not just where I live; it is home in every sense of the word.

That is why it is so disheartening to even hear that the seasonal closure of our public pool is being seriously considered.

This pool is not a luxury for our community. It is a necessity.

For seniors, it provides one of the only safe, low impact forms of exercise available, especially during the months when weather and health conditions make other activities difficult or impossible. For youth, it is equally vital, as the swimming program is the only organized youth swim program in Santa Maria. There are already too few affordable, accessible activities for children in this city, and removing access to the pool for nearly half the year would be a significant loss, not just to physical health and skill building, but to structure, mentorship, and safe community spaces.

It is also important to recognize that this pool serves residents like myself, people living with chronic illness and disability, where swimming is often the only form of exercise that is truly accessible, low impact, and sustainable.

For many of us, losing access to this facility for months at a time is a loss of health support and quality of life.

In addition to the impact on residents, a seasonal closure would also affect the people who work at the facility.

Pool employees would face reduced hours or job instability, and the on site café would lose a significant portion of its revenue during the months it is closed. These are real impacts on working people in our community and on small local operations that rely on year round access to the facility.

We often talk about wanting stronger communities, safer youth programs, and healthier lifestyles. Closing the pool for nearly half the year directly works against those goals.

It also feels increasingly like what is being prioritized in this city is not long term community wellbeing, but instead the rapid development of new cheap fast food restaurants, cookie cutter hotels, poorly built low income housing, and overpriced grocery stores. While development is important, it should not come at the expense of the foundational spaces that support health, recreation, and community connection.

This pool is one of the few remaining places where different generations of our community come together. That matters. It matters for health, for safety, for belonging, and for the identity of this city.

I urge you strongly and sincerely to reconsider this proposal and to prioritize keeping the public pool open year round.

Our community deserves better than losing access to something so essential.

Respectfully,
Amanda
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Amanda Hole

Good evening, I’m a concerned resident and parent. My daughter has been swimming at the Paul Nelson aquatic center. Since she has been a member and adamant swimmer I have seen drastic changes in her physical and mental abilities. I’m kindly asking to reconsider not closing the pool from Dec-May. This sport has helped her stay focused, kept her healthy and keeps her from any kind of electronic devices.

It’s powerful to keep our kids active and engaged. Again with respect please consider keeping our Paul Nelson open for the kids and community.

Sincerely Amanda Kotar Frederick.

Sent from my iPhone

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Amanda Medina
SMSC Parent and Community Member

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

Closing the pool down for half the year each year would negatively impact so many programs, including the Santa Maria Swim Club which my daughters participate in year round. The Swim Club hosts many meets here throughout the year, bringing many people from north and south to Santa Maria. So many people rely on this pool: high school athletes, swim lesson participants, lap swimmers, etc. Letting such a beautiful facility sit idle for 6 months out of every year does not seem very efficient. There must be another solution that does not involve closing the pool. Please oppose this closure.

Respectfully,
Amy Bertao

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

Santa Maria has a proud aquatic tradition that spans nearly 100 years. My daughter has learned to swim through the Santa Maria Swim Club and she has been trained very well there. This closure would strip away opportunities for her and the youth of our community. Year round swim opportunities are important for young athletes who want to train to compete. Santa Maria needs to focus on ADDING opportunities for youth instead of stripping them away. The Paul Nelson Aquatic center is the only one in the area, and a city of our size needs MORE to serve our youth. We need to be encouraging and providing for our young athletes.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Sincerely,

Amy Molina
Resident of 93455

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Amy Silveira 93454
[Santa Maria Resident / Parent / Community Member]

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Andrea Marez
Santa Maria resident

Dear Mayor Patino and Members of the City Council,

I am writing as a community member regarding Agenda Item 12.a on your June 2 hearing, the Preliminary FY 2026-28 Biennial Budget. I urge you to reject the proposed six-month closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May, listed as a balancing measure to save $344,000.

Our business, FabriCold, Inc., holds a City of Santa Maria business license, and our daughter trains in the city through the Santa Maria Swim Club.

Our daughter has been swimming at PNAC for six years. She is now in the senior swim group, training one to two times per day and hopes to keep competing through high school and into college. December through May is the heart of her training season. Closing the pool for those months would effectively take away the years and the training she needs to find out how far she can go. There is no other program like this anywhere in our area, and no realistic way to replace it.

Swimming has been far more than a sport for her. The pool is where she found her confidence and her drive. It has taught her discipline and shown her what it means to be part of a team and to work hard for something. These are the exact qualities we want in our young people.

The budget's own numbers argue against this cut. The department reports over 4,150 swim lessons taught at PNAC, and swim lesson registrations have grown from 1,313 to a projected 2,275, demand that is rising, not falling. Yet for a savings of $344,000, the city would close it's only public aquatic center for half the year and cut water safety education in the months leading into summer, when it matters most.

This is also about the kind of community we are building. The Santa Maria Swim Club gets kids off their phones, outdoors, and moving. It develops disciplined, well-adjusted, hardworking young people, and that has a ripple effect throughout the community. A six-month closure saves relatively little, but the cost to our kids, our families, and our community would be lasting.

Please remove the PNAC closure from the budget and direct staff to find the savings elsewhere before the final budget returns for adoption on June 16. Investing in our youth is one of the most important things this city can do.

Thank you for your time and for your service to Santa Maria.

Respectfully,

Andrew Keeley and Monika Prince
Business Owners, FabriCold, Inc.

Santa Maria Valley

Hello

I would like to vote to keep the pool open all year round. As described below there are many benefits to the community. I’ve had two children at the swim club and one grandchild. Expecting to have my second grandchild joining soon. Please vote to keep it open year round.

Thank you
Armando Ramos
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

My family’s connection to this pool spans nearly my daughters’ entire lives. Both of my daughters began swimming at the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center as infants in parent-and-me swim classes and later participated in child swim lessons there. They continued swimming with the Santa Maria Swim Club throughout elementary school and beyond. The aquatic center has been a second home to our family for many years.

Today, one of my daughters swims for San José State University. When she returns home during school breaks, we depend on her ability to continue training at the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center with the swim club. The closure of this facility would disrupt not only local youth programs, but also athletes who continue competing at the collegiate level and rely on this pool to maintain their training while home.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Swim Community Member,
Azucena (Suzie) Guzmán
I am a grandmother of two teenagers who participate in an aquatic program. To close the aquatic center during the winter months would hurt the youth of your city. These young people need to learn responsibility, and so many things to develope into constructive adults. There must be another way to have budget cuts that DO NOT affect the youth of your city.

Thank you,
Barbara Sandys

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center December through May.

A closure during these months would have devastating consequences for local aquatic programs, including Santa Maria Swim Club, high school swimmers, swim lesson participants, and many community members who rely on the facility.

There is no comparable pool space available in our area to absorb these programs during the proposed closure period.

In addition, aquatics contributes to Santa Maria's economy. Swim meets bring athletes, families, and visitors to our community who support local hotels, restaurants and businesses including the McClelland Market. A prolonged closure would make it difficult to retain qualified life guards, instructors and aquatic staff. Programs that can take generations to build can be lost in a single season. Once athletes, families, coaches and staff are forced to leave, rebuilding these programs becomes extremely difficult.

I come to you as a Santa Maria native. I went to Santa Maria High School. I was on the Santa Maria High Swim Team when I was in school. I also was in swim class during my time in high school. I loved being at Paul Nelson Pool for all my practices and competitions. I have many memories of all the fun times I had pool side. I am now a mother and my daughter is a part of the Santa Maria Swim Club. A club that supports our city and wears our logo. We enjoy our practices and swim meets. We support the McClellend Market and our city. We started SMSC last summer and continued through the fall, winter and spring and plan on continuing throughout all the seasons.

I respectfully ask the city council to reject the proposed season closure and work with aquatic stake holders to identify alternative solutions that would preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,

Brandi Yates
Santa Maria Resident/Parent/Community Member

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

The aquatic center is much more than a swimming pool. It provides an essential community service.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Brooks Van Wingerden
Parent and Master Swim participant

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my strong opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

As a high school teacher, high school swim coach, and local business owner, I have witnessed firsthand the tremendous impact this facility has on our community. The aquatic center is far more than a swimming pool—it serves as a vital resource for swim lessons, water safety education, youth development, competitive athletics, recreation, and healthy living for residents of all ages.

The proposed closure would have significant consequences for hundreds of individuals and families who rely on the facility. As a high school swim coach, I understand how essential consistent access to pool space is for student-athletes. The closure would disrupt training and competition schedules for local high school swim teams, the Santa Maria Swim Club, swim lesson participants, and numerous other aquatic programs.

Unfortunately, there is no comparable facility in our region capable of accommodating these displaced programs during the proposed closure period.

Beyond its recreational and educational value, the aquatic center also contributes to our local economy. Swim meets and aquatic events bring athletes, families, and visitors to Santa Maria, generating revenue for local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. As a business owner, I recognize the importance of these events in supporting our local economy and strengthening community engagement. A prolonged closure could also result in the loss of qualified lifeguards, swim instructors, coaches, and aquatic staff, many of whom may seek opportunities elsewhere.

Santa Maria has a proud aquatic tradition that spans nearly a century. These programs represent years of dedication, community investment, and relationship-building. What takes generations to establish can be lost in a single season. Once athletes, families, coaches, instructors, and staff are forced to leave, rebuilding those programs becomes an enormous challenge.

I respectfully urge the City Council to explore alternative solutions that would allow the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center to remain operational during these critical months. The benefits this facility provides to our students, families, businesses, and community far outweigh the costs of keeping it open.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and commitment to serving the residents of Santa Maria.

Sincerely,
Cara Jones
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May. My kids love swimming and this is the best place for them to thrive! My son just won CIF D2 Nationals in all his events! He’s represented Santa Maria in Florida for two years at Jr Nationals as well! My daughter Pamela has been swimming for one year now and has seen great improvement. It’s one of the healthiest things for kids to do year round. They build great friendships here too. As well as discipline and hard work. Even taking one day off from swimming my son feels a bit of a lag in his performance. Please don’t shut the pool down as these kids who want to go to the Olympics or swim in college simply won’t be able to if they can’t keep up with their rigorous training.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Charlotte Pettit
Orcutt, CA 93455

Hello,
I'm writing as a resident of Santa Maria to ask the council to please keep the PNAC open year 'round. It is extremely important for our youth programs and water programs for health and fitness of our community. I believe closing the pool would have a significant and negative impact on our community.

Thank you.

Chelsea Krause

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed seasonal closure of Paul Nelson Pool.

For the past 40 years, I have been associated with Paul Nelson Pool in various capacities, including swim coach for the Santa Maria Swim Club, swim instructor, lifeguard, assistant pool manager, recreation leader, and facility manager at Atkinson Center. I also coached Special Olympics athletes in swimming for 12 years.

My three children learned to swim at Paul Nelson Pool, and all three were members of the Santa Maria Swim Club. The skills they acquired through lessons and exceptional coaching at the swim club enabled them to earn college scholarships for swimming.

Currently, I am a USA Swimming official and officiate age group through college meets at Paul Nelson.

Closing the pool seasonally would be detrimental to the community. Children would be deprived of the opportunity to learn essential water safety skills, and competitive swimmers would lose the chance to train year-round, developing lifelong skills and securing scholarship opportunities.

I urge you to consider the long-term benefits of keeping Paul Nelson Pool open year-round.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Cheryl Poirier
Sent from my iPhone

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully oppose the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

As a parent, I have seen firsthand how important this facility is to our community. Santa Maria already has limited recreational opportunities for children and families, and the aquatic center provides a safe, positive place for youth to stay active, build friendships, and develop confidence and discipline.

Swimming has had a tremendous impact on my child’s physical and mental health. It promotes fitness, reduces stress, teaches goal-setting, and has helped my child develop meaningful relationships with teammates and coaches. These benefits extend far beyond the pool.

The aquatic center also provides critical water safety education and swim lessons. Learning how to swim is a lifesaving skill, and reducing access to these programs puts our community at a disadvantage.

A seasonal closure would affect swim lessons, recreational programs, competitive swimmers, high school athletes, coaches, lifeguards, and families throughout Santa Maria. There is no comparable facility in our area that can accommodate these programs during the proposed closure.

In addition, swim meets and aquatic events bring visitors to Santa Maria who support local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. Closing the facility for nearly half the year risks losing both economic activity and the qualified staff needed to operate these programs.

The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is more than a pool—it is an investment in the health, safety, and well- being of our community. I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed closure and explore alternative solutions that keep this valuable resource available year-round.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Chris Manfredi
Santa Maria Resident 93455

Santa Maria is too big of a city to partially close one of the FEW recreational outlets that it has available. You need to look at what the community needs, besides soccer fields, to keep everyone who lives here happy and healthy, A partial closure of this pool would hurt too many programs. Time to consider other areas to balance your budget.

Sincerely,
Christine Hewett
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to oppose the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

As a grandparent, I have seen firsthand the positive impact swimming has had on my grandchild.

It has improved their physical and mental health, built confidence and discipline, and helped them develop meaningful friendships. In a city with limited recreational opportunities for youth, the aquatic center provides a safe and valuable outlet for children and families.

The facility also plays a critical role in teaching water safety and swimming skills that can save lives. A seasonal closure would disrupt swim lessons, recreational programs, competitive teams, and high school athletics, with no comparable local facility available to fill the gap.

Beyond its impact on families, the aquatic center supports local jobs and brings visitors to Santa Maria through swim meets and events that benefit local businesses.

The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is more than a pool—it is an important community resource that promotes health, safety, and connection. I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed closure and keep this facility open year-round.

Thank you for your consideration.

Christine Mann
Santa Maria Resident

Good evening Mayor and Council Members,

My name is Cindy Dias, and I am here to ask you to keep the Santa Maria Aquatic Center open year-round.

For many people, a pool is recreation. For our children, it is much more. It is a place to learn life saving water safety skills, stay active, build confidence, develop discipline, and participate in healthy community programs. For competitive swimmers, it is their training facility. For families, it is a safe and positive place for children to spend their time.

Closing the aquatic center for nearly half the year would have a devastating impact on youth programs and the hundreds of children who rely on them. Once a program is disrupted, families leave, participation drops, and rebuilding those opportunities becomes difficult and expensive.

Our children should not bear the burden of balancing the city's budget. Budget challenges are real, but the solution cannot be to eliminate opportunities that help keep kids healthy, engaged, and successful. Investing in youth is not an expense-it is an investment in the future of Santa Maria.

I urge you to find another way. Please keep the aquatic center open and continue supporting the children, families, and community members who depend on it.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Cindy Dias

Dear Members of the Santa Maria City Council,

I am writing to oppose the proposal to close the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center for six months each year.

The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is more than a recreational facility—it is the home of the Santa Maria Swim Club, a year-round competitive swim program that serves swimmers of all ages and abilities. Closing the facility for half the year would effectively eliminate consistent access to swimming for many local residents and create significant disruptions for athletes, families, and coaches who rely on year-round training.

The Aquatic Center is a valuable community asset that promotes health, fitness, water safety, and youth development. A six-month closure would significantly reduce these benefits and undermine programs that have become an important part of Santa Maria's community.

While I understand the need to manage city resources responsibly, a six-month closure appears to be an extreme measure that places a disproportionate burden on residents who rely on this facility. Before moving forward with such a proposal, I urge the Council to fully evaluate alternative cost-saving measures, operational efficiencies, adjusted schedules, partnerships, grants, or other solutions that would allow the pool to remain open year- round.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Colleen Medford

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I enjoy swimming at the Abel Maldonado pool in the Deep Water Walking class which is from April-October and Lap swim the rest of the year. It is the only exercise that I can do that doesn't hurt. It is so good for me. There are many others that are regulars in the lap swim year round. Also, my grandkids enjoy the swim lessons.

Santa Maria has a proud aquatic tradition that spans nearly 100 years.

Programs that take generations to build can be lost in a single season.

Once athletes, families, coaches, and staff are forced to leave, rebuilding those programs becomes extremely difficult.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,

Corinna Alvarado
Santa Maria, CA 93454 resident

Hello,

I'm writing as a resident of Santa Maria to encourage the council to please keep our PNAC open year 'round. I feel it is extremely important to allow the youth programs and water programs to remain operational for health and fitness of our community. I believe closing the pool would have a significant and negative impact on our community.

Thank you

Daisy Herrick

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

As a parent of a child with special needs, I've found that swimming is the one sport that consistently helps him stay calm and relaxed while also providing valuable exercise. It gives him a healthy outlet, improves his physical fitness, and supports his overall well-being in a way that few other activities can.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Dalia Zepeda
Santa Maria Resident 93458

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,

Denise Woods
[Santa Maria Resident / Parent / Community Member]

Hello,
As a resident of Santa Maria, I respectfully encourage the City Council to keep the PNAC open year-round.

The PNAC provides valuable youth and aquatic programs that support the health, wellness, and overall quality of life of our community. These programs offer important opportunities for physical activity, skill development, recreation, and community engagement for residents of all ages.

Closing the pool, even temporarily, would have a significant negative impact on many individuals and families who rely on these services. Maintaining year-round access helps promote healthy lifestyles and ensures that our community continues to benefit from these important recreational resources.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and commitment to serving our community.

Sincerely,

Dharamesh Patel

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

As a resident of Santa Maria, I find it devastating to hear that the closure of Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is even an option.

As a fortunate resident of Santa Maria, I was able to enroll my child, have him complete swimming lessons, and have him learn how to swim through the program offered by the Parks and Recreation Department. My child has furthered and is currently improving his swimming skills through the Santa Maria Swim Club. For about four years, Paul Nelson has served as a source of youth recreation and healthy physical activity for my child and some of his friends.

The aquatic center provides essential community services, including swimming lessons, water safety education, competitive athletics, and many other opportunities for residents of all ages.

These are some reasons that make Santa Maria a great place to be in and why we are fortunate to have access to the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center.

A closure during these months would have devastating consequences for local aquatic programs, including the Santa Maria Swim Club, high school swimmers, swim lesson participants, and many other community members who rely on the facility. In addition, a prolonged closure would make it difficult to retain qualified lifeguards, instructors, and aquatic staff. Once athletes, families, coaches, and staff are forced to leave, how will city council members rebuild these programs? Are there plans for alternate programs for Santa Maria residents or community members from nearby cities?
There is no comparable pool space available in our area to absorb these programs during the proposed closure period; therefore, the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center must remain open.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions. These solutions can make a meaningful difference in preserving aquatics opportunities for current and future generations of Santa Maria residents and other community members.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Best regards,
Diana Zarate
93454 Santa Maria Resident

Dear board members,
I ask you to please not consider the closure of Paul Nelson Pool. It serves a very loyal community and offers a place to meet new people, maintain or meet your health goals, and have a sense of belonging. People drive from Nipomo, Lompoc, Vandenberg Village, Los Olivos, and Pismo Beach daily to swim.

It is the finest pool in the Central Coast. Closing it for six months out of the year would be a travesty.

I personally have been swimming there five or six times per week for 7 years. It is my life source. Without it, I have no doubt that my health would significantly decline.

I'm always surprised to find out how many people have no idea that it's even there. Perhaps a bit of promotion would serve us better.

I'm closing, please don't close our pool! It is just too beautiful to sit there unused.

Sincerely,
Douglas Jones
Santa Maria resident of 27 years
Dear Mayor and City Council members,

Beyond recreation, swimming provides proven physical and mental health benefits for children and adolescents. Research has shown that regular swimming improves cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance, coordination, and overall physical health while being a low-impact activity that can be enjoyed by youth of all ability levels. Studies have also found that participation in swimming and organized aquatic programs is associated with reduced stress and anxiety, improved self-confidence, stronger social connections, and enhanced emotional well-being. At a time when youth mental health and physical inactivity are growing concerns nationwide, the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center serves as an important resource that helps Santa Maria's children develop healthy habits, build resilience, and engage in positive activities that support lifelong wellness.

Swimming is also a critical life-saving skill. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death for children. Access to affordable swim lessons and water safety education through the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center helps protect local children and families while reducing a significant public health risk.

I strongly encourage you to look elsewhere for cuts and keep Paul Nelson open year around.

Sincerely,

Dustin Davis

Good Morning, City Council Members,
I wanted to share a personal story about the impact the Paul Nelson Pool has had on my family and our community.

My youngest son, Jonathan, is now 21 years old and will be a senior at Pepperdine University this fall on a full water polo scholarship. The opportunity for him to attend a university like Pepperdine would not have been possible without the foundation that was built at the Paul Nelson Pool.

Jonathan first became involved through a free two-week program offered by One Way and later participated in the local swim club. Those programs provided much more than athletic training. They helped instill discipline, perseverance, delayed gratification, and a strong work ethic—qualities that have shaped his success both in and out of the pool.

He is also the first person in our family to attend college. Earning an athletic scholarship made that dream financially possible, and his journey began right here in our community.

Even now, Jonathan returns home each year to volunteer his time, helping train athletes from Righetti High School, Santa Maria High School, and One Way Water Polo. He does this because he wants to give back to the same community and programs that helped him succeed.

I know my son's story is not unique. There are likely many young people in our community whose lives have been positively impacted by the opportunities and mentorship provided through the Paul Nelson Pool. Beyond athletics, these programs give young people a productive, healthy environment where they can develop valuable life skills and positive habits.

I understand the difficult budget decisions the City must make. However, I respectfully ask that every effort be made to find a solution that does not involve closing a facility that serves so many families and provides such lasting benefits to our community.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and continued service to our community.

Sincerely,

Ed Carcarey

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed seasonal closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

As a parent, I have seen firsthand the impact this facility has on young people. I have two daughters who swim for the Santa Maria Swim Club, and the benefits they have received extend far beyond athletic training. They have grown physically stronger, built long-lasting friendships, and found a positive and supportive environment that keeps them engaged and active.

Most importantly, both of my daughters have learned the value of hard work, discipline, and commitment — lessons they will carry into adulthood and use to contribute meaningfully to our community. These are not benefits that can be paused for half the year without serious consequences.

A six-month closure would have devastating effects on local aquatic programs, including the Santa Maria Swim Club, high school swimmers, swim lesson participants, and many other community members who rely on the facility. There is no comparable pool space available in our area to absorb these programs during the proposed closure period.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Elaine Healy
Santa Maria Swim Club Parent and Community Member

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
My name is Emily Mathis, and I am a proud alumna of the Santa Maria Swim Club. Born and raised in Santa Maria, I began taking swim lessons at Paul Nelson Aquatic Center at the age of four in 2000. The aquatic center has been a central part of my life and my family's life for decades.

My mother coached for the Santa Maria Swim Club, worked as a lifeguard for the City at Paul Nelson Aquatic Center, and coached Special Olympics athletes there as well. My siblings and I all swam for the swim club, spending countless hours in and around the facility.

Because of my time at Paul Nelson Aquatic Center, I formed lifelong friendships, developed invaluable life skills, and achieved opportunities I never thought possible. Most notably, my experience with the Santa Maria Swim Club helped me earn a scholarship to swim for a Division I college program at Boise State University. The lessons I learned in that pool—discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and dedication—have shaped who I am today.

I cannot imagine what my life would have been without this aquatic center and the opportunities it provided. Closing this community resource would impact far more than just a building. It would take away a place where children learn critical water safety skills, athletes pursue their goals, families build connections, and community members of all ages stay active and engaged.

I respectfully urge you to reconsider the decision to close this vital community space. Preserving Paul Nelson Aquatic Center means preserving opportunities for future generations to experience the same growth, achievement, and sense of community that it provided for me and so many others.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Emily Mathis

Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposal to close our community pool for six months out of the year.

This pool is far more than a recreational facility. It is a vital community resource that serves children, families, seniors, athletes, and residents of all ages. My 8-year-old niece has been a member of the Santa Maria Swim Club for the past year, and the pool has provided her with opportunities to develop discipline, confidence, physical fitness, and valuable life skills. Closing the pool for half the year would significantly disrupt the progress of young swimmers like her and many others.

In addition to supporting the swim club, the pool provides essential water safety and swim instruction programs. These classes help children and adults learn skills that can literally save lives. Reducing access to these programs would have a negative impact on public safety and could limit opportunities for many families who rely on affordable local instruction.

The proposed closure would also affect competitive swimmers, recreational users, fitness programs, and community events. It would force many residents to travel outside the area or discontinue participation altogether, creating barriers that not everyone can overcome.

I understand that the City must make difficult budget and operational decisions. However, I urge you to consider the long-term impact this closure would have on our community and to explore alternative solutions that would allow the pool to remain open year-round.

Investments in community recreation, youth development, and water safety should be viewed as priorities, not expendable services.

Please reconsider this proposal and work with community members to find a solution that preserves access to this important facility.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Emily Rhule

Dear Santa Maria City Council Members,

I am writing to urge you to keep the Santa Maria City Pool open year-round and to avoid reducing pool operations as a solution to the City’s budget deficit.

The pool is a critical community asset that serves residents of all ages. For more than 100 years, it has supported our local youth swim team, providing young athletes with a safe place to train, build discipline, and represent our community. The pool also offers essential senior fitness and health programs that help older adults maintain mobility, strength, and social connection.

Perhaps most importantly, the pool provides lifesaving swim lessons and water safety education. In a region where families regularly visit beaches, lakes, and pools, access to affordable swim instruction is not a luxury, it is a public safety necessity. Reducing access to these programs could have lasting consequences for the health and safety of our community.

The pool is in good condition, already serves a broad cross-section of residents, and provides benefits that far outweigh its operating costs. Closing the facility seasonally or reducing services would negatively impact youth, seniors, families, and public health.

I respectfully ask the City Council to prioritize maintaining year-round pool operations and to seek alternative solutions to address budget challenges. The community depends on this facility, and its value cannot easily be replaced.

Thank you for your consideration and for your service to the residents of Santa Maria.

Sincerely,

Emily Zbin

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
This letter is to respectfully oppose the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

My kids and I frequent the aquatic center as they are Santa Maria Swim club members.

We engage in this sport year round. Not just during the warmer seasons. Closing the pool for parts of the year would be counterproductive to sport and athletics for youth and adult alike. Paul Nelson is the best pool in the area. Other pools cannot accomodate the huge population of Santa Maria Swim Club. A lot of members come from all over, not just Santa Maria. We live in Nipomo and choose this pool over the closer one in Arroyo Grande.

The swim club is one of the few sports that offer training year round. Engaging in constant activity such as swimming keeps our youth occupied. In turn, they stay away from habits that may harm themselves and the community.

Santa Maria swim club is celebrating 100 years. Part of this longevity and success is due to having a pool that is open year round.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Enrique Amoroso (community member)

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

My daughter swims for the Santa Maria Swim Club and a disruption in their training during critical learning and growth stages would be extremely detrimental to all the children who participate.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Erica Alterwitz Meierhans
Community Member

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center during the winter and spring months from December to May.

My son Daniel Lopez is currently a member of the Santa Maria Swim Club who uses the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center. Initially when he started with the Santa Maria Swim Club he was scared to swim and lacked confidence in a swimming pool. Within a year of being with Santa Maria Swim Club he has much more confidence and can easily swim around the pool. The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center through the Santa Maria Swim Club for my son provided healthy physical activity, water safety education, and made him a competitive athlete.

My son takes karate lessons, plays baseball, and is a member of the Santa Maria Swim Club. My son does use the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center during the fall and summer but mainly attends the Santa Maria Swim Club during the spring and winter months. Temporary closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center during the proposed months would no longer provide the swimming education he needs as a young athlete.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Esteban Lopez
Parent and Santa Maria Community Member

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

My name is Ethan Brown. I am a retired police officer with the Santa Maria Police Department, where I served as a School Resource Officer, SWAT Operator, and SWAT Medic. Prior to my career in law enforcement, I worked as an EMT for four years and spent my teenage years as a lifeguard at several local pools, including Allan Hancock College.

It has come to my attention that the City is considering shutting down the community pool from December through May every year. I am writing to strongly urge you not to move forward with that plan.

This pool is not just a recreational facility. It is a community safety resource.

The pool serves Santa Maria residents through recreational swim, organized swim programs, swim lessons, and the Santa Maria Swim Club, where my children are members. For many families, this pool is the primary place their children learn to swim, build confidence in the water, and develop skills that can literally save their lives.

From my own experience, I can say without hesitation that water safety matters. I have responded to drownings as a first responder. I have treated drowning patients in a hospital setting. I have personally made pool rescues during my time as a lifeguard. These are not theoretical risks. Drownings happen quickly, quietly, and often in ordinary settings where families never expected tragedy to occur.

That is why shutting down access to swim instruction and water exposure for nearly half the year is so concerning. Children do not become safe around water by being kept away from it. They become safer through consistent exposure, instruction, repetition, and confidence-building under proper supervision.

Closing the pool from December to May would take that opportunity away from countless children and families in our community.

It would also directly impact competitive swimmers who rely on year-round training. For members of the Santa Maria Swim Club, the pool is not just a place to exercise. It is where they develop discipline, fitness, confidence, teamwork, and commitment. Removing access for nearly half the year would significantly disrupt those athletes and the families who support them.

I understand that city budgets require difficult decisions. But I believe closing this pool for almost half of every year is the wrong place to cut. The cost savings need to be weighed against the real community impact: fewer swim lessons, less water safety education, fewer supervised opportunities for kids in the water, and fewer chances for families to develop the skills needed to prevent drownings.

It would be shameful for the City to restrict access to a facility that provides life-saving skills, instruction, and water safety opportunities to the public. A community pool is not a luxury. It is a public safety investment.

I respectfully ask that you reconsider any proposal to shut down the pool from December through May and instead look for ways to keep it open and accessible year-round for Santa Maria families.

Respectfully,

Ethan Brown
Community Member
Hello,
I'm writing as a resident of Santa Maria to encourage the council to please keep our PNAC open year ‘round. I feel it is extremely important to allow the youth programs and water programs to remain operational for health and fitness of our community. I believe closing the pool would have a significant and negative impact on our community.

Thank you.
-Fabi

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

My name is Francesca Muto, a Santa Maria resident residing in 93455, and I am writing to you to express my opposition of the proposed closure of Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December to May.

I have lived in Santa Maria my entire life, the Paul Nelson pool has been a pillar in mine and many others lives. It is a place for the community, for our local swim clubs and high school swimmers. Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is where I learned how to swim. It is one of the few spots left that encourage the gathering of our community in Santa Maria. This would be a devastating loss for the Santa Maria Swim Club, High School Swimmers, swimming lessons, and for the seniors who exercise there weekly.

This is a one of a kind space in Santa Maria, and there is no alternative available for the Santa Maria residents and community members during the proposed closure period.

The aquatic center contributes to our local economy. Swim meets brings athletes, families, and visitors to our community who support local hotels, restaurants, and businesses.

I am concerned with the proposal’s effect on retention of staff, such as qualified lifeguards, instructors, and aquatic staff members. These staff members will have to find work elsewhere which could affect Paul Nelson Aquatic Center’s program offerings during summer.

In Santa Maria, we have a long standing and proud tradition of aquatic programs. These programs took generations to build but can be lost in one season. Aquatic sports require year round training, the closure will drive participants elsewhere and it will be difficult to rebuild.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with the aquatic stakeholder to identify alternatives that will preserve this community resource.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to a response from the city council on this matter.

Respectfully,
Francesca Muto
Santa Maria Resident, 93455

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,

Geremy Blandino
Community Member and Parent

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May. As a lifelong resident of the city of Santa Maria I am devastated to hear that this closure is being considered. I took swimming lessons at PNAC as a child and participated in free swim many times. Both of my children took swimming lessons through the city of Santa Maria before joining the Santa Maria Swim Club where we have been members for nearly 15 years. Swimming year-round has been an integral part of our family life. It has helped my children be active, taught many skills outside of the pool, helping them be great students and members of the community, in addition to the opportunities it has brought to them via competing as athletes. My son earned the opportunity to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point through his accomplishments in swimming and my daughter is currently a junior in high school and looking to continue to swim in college. Closing the pool from December to May will be extremely detrimental to her specifically, as well as to the other athletes who are younger and will lose access to growth in their sport.

Closing it for part of the year will be devastating in many ways.

Aquatics contributes to Santa Maria's economy. Swim meets draw athletes, families, and visitors to our community who bring revenue to local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. We regularly bring families to Santa Maria from various places who all rave about our facility and choose to come to Santa Maria instead of other meets because of our aquatic center. A prolonged closure would also make it difficult to retain qualified lifeguards, instructors, and aquatic staff.

Santa Maria has a proud aquatic tradition that spans nearly 100 years. Programs that take generations to build can be lost in a single season. Once athletes, families, coaches, and staff are forced to leave, rebuilding those programs becomes extremely difficult if not impossible. Having access to the pool for only part of the year will likely decimate these programs, create a loss of employment for many, and hurt the children in the community in ways that will not be recoverable.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Geri Coats
Community Member
Parent of 2 SMSC Swimmers
Teacher at Ernest Righetti High School

Dear Mayor Patino and Members of City Council,

Please keep the pool open year-round not only for the enjoyment of our residents, but also for Santa Maria Swim Club athletes for training purposes and possibly for swim tournaments as well.

Our current and future athletes need our support and resources. Additionally, your support helps our city's businesses and hotels who benefit from swim tournaments.

Sincerely,
Gina Keough

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Hailee Bond
Teacher | Parent | Life long Santa Maria resident

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

The aquatic center is much more than a swimming pool. It provides essential community service through swim lessons, water safety education, youth recreation, competitive athletics, and opportunities for healthy physical activity for residents of all ages. I have several family members, friends and friends' children that would be negatively affected by this change.

A closure during these months would have devastating consequences for local aquatic programs, including the Santa Maria Swim Club, high school swimmers, swim lesson participants, and many other community members who rely on the facility. There is no comparable pool space available in our area to absorb these programs during the proposed closure period. I have family members as well as several friends with children in these programs and their lives would be directly affected, and not in a positive way. The community and our children need good, positive, outdoor activities and outlets for energy and growth. W In addition, aquatics contributes to Santa Maria's economy. Swim meets bring athletes, families, and visitors to our community who support local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. A prolonged closure would also make it difficult to retain qualified lifeguards, instructors, and aquatic staff. Where would all of these children of our future then turn their energy and focus to? At least a few hundred children in our community would be forced to find new outlets or turn to staying inside and not be active.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource. There has to be another solution.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Heather Bouwmeester
Concerned Citizen and Community Member

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Heidi Morse
Parent & Community Member

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing in the hopes that you will oppose the seasonal closure of the aquatic center. I am a teacher, a parent, and a community member who has supported this center both in spirit and through donations over the years.

I understand the need to tighten our belts during difficult times. I understand that everyone is being asked to do more with less. What concerns me is that the impact of this closure goes far beyond the money that might be saved.

SMSC currently has more than 250 kids enrolled. For many of those kids, this is more than just a place to swim. It is a place to belong. It is a place with coaches and mentors who care about them. It is a place where they learn discipline, commitment, teamwork, and confidence.

If the center closes, even temporarily, many of those families will move on. Some will find other programs. Many will not. Programs like this are hard to build and easy to lose. Once people find something else to do, they often do not come back.

I own a seasonal business myself, so I understand the logic of closing during the slow season. The problem is that if I closed every time business slowed down, eventually people would stop thinking of my business as a reliable place to go. They would build new habits, and my business would disappear. I worry the same thing will happen here.

The swimming community in Santa Maria did not appear overnight. It was built over years by families, coaches, volunteers, and community support. I believe that community is worth protecting.

Please consider the long-term impact this decision could have on the hundreds of children and families who rely on the aquatic center. The money saved today may come at the cost of something much harder to rebuild tomorrow.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

J. Fraser
Mathematics & Robotics
Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

06/02/2026

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

The aquatic center is much more than a swimming pool. It provides an essential community service through swimming lessons, water safety education, youth recreation, competitive athletics, and opportunities for healthy physical activity for residents of all ages.

Swimming has helped my daughter get involved in sports, create discipline, being involved in a group and she is very happy as part of her swim team/club. Since she started swimming, she has been more positive, involved in physical activity and has developed a sense of responsibility for her young age.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Jacquelinne Quezada
Santa Maria Resident /Parent/ 93454

Hello,

As a resident of Santa maria, I belive that the Paul Nelson aquatic center should be open year round. The aquatic center is able to provide the youth, and older, a fun way to get movement and exercise. In today's world, it is important to have breaks away from technology and move around. The aquatic center proveds an fun and enticing way to get children, teenager, and adults to have such moments, and have activity outside of the house.

Best regards
-resident of Santa Maria

Jake
Dear Mayor Patino and Santa Maria City Council Members,

My name is James Friedrich and I am a resident of the city of Santa Maria. I am writing this letter as I just became aware of the budget proposal submitted by our Recreation and Parks Department recommending a six month closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center (PNAC). This closing will be harmful to both the people who regularly use the pool and our entire community. Closing the pool would hurt the community in a number of ways.

Young people swim at the pool every day, which gives them great exercise.

Furthermore, these kids are using their time constructively, rather than getting into trouble. Keeping children productive helps the community because it keeps young people off the streets and out of trouble. Adults in our community use the pool too on a year round basis. In addition the Santa Maria Swim Club, celebrating over 100 years of service to our community, uses the beautiful facility year round. Further, a temporary closure would not eliminate the need for ongoing maintenance as complete upkeep would be required to maintain the integrity of the facility. To not use what we have would be such a waste!

I do understand that budgets are often unwieldy and the balancing of them not easy.

When I see the Recreation and Parks Department submitting a budget that incorporates a cut to PNAC access for all of our community but an increase to landscaping expenditures I cannot lie, I am a bit perplexed and confused. That seems a bit counter intuitive to creating and maintaining a city that we all want to live in and others envy.

I could go on but for the sake of brevity I will simply ask that you not allow this amazing resource and facility to be squandered away and closed if even only temporarily. Please restore the funding for PNAC year round.

Sincerely and thank you,
James Friedrich

Dear City Council,

I am writing to you in support of keeping the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center open year round. As a teacher in SMBSD, I know many students who would not have access to aquatic safety and programming if not for the PNAC. Additionally, I utilize lap swimming year round, even though I am not a resident of Santa Maria.

My concern for aquatic safety and recreation is also bolstered by the opportunity for youth to participate in competitive swimming. My children swim with SLO Swim Club, however, we regularly have swim meets with the Santa Maria Swim Club. It would be devastating for the SMSC to lose their only option for swimming and would devastate the competitive swimming community on the Central Coast. The SMSC serves more youth swimmers than other local swim clubs on the Central Coast, and these athletes deserve the opportunity to train and compete.

The impact of closing the pool for 6 months would be a disproportionate burden to the aquatic community that does not affect other recreational activities and sports. Fields to play on are aplenty, however, there are only so many pools to go around.

I hope you make the right decision to keep the pool open year round.

Thank you,

Jami Fordyce

Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully ask that you reconsider any plans to close Paul Nelson Pool from December through May.

My daughter is a member of the Santa Maria Swim Club and has autism.

Swimming is one of the few forms of exercise that she genuinely enjoys and willingly participates in. More importantly, it provides significant benefits to her mental health and overall well-being. Swimming helps reduce her anxiety, gives her a sense of routine and accomplishment, and allows her to better regulate her emotions. The positive effects carry over into her school day, helping her focus, learn, and function more successfully.

My daughter is not alone. There are many children and families in our community who rely on the pool and the sport of swimming as a safe, healthy outlet. For some children, especially those with special needs, the pool is more than a recreational facility—it is a place where they build confidence, friendships, resilience, and physical fitness.

Closing the pool for six months would remove an important resource from these children during a significant portion of the year. The loss of consistent access to swimming could have a detrimental impact on their physical and mental health. It would also disrupt training for young athletes who have worked hard to develop their skills and remain active.

I urge the City Council to consider the needs of the families who depend on this facility and explore alternatives that would allow Paul Nelson Pool to remain open throughout the year.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and service to our community.

Sincerely,
Santa Maria Resident
Jamie Tanner
Hello,
I'm writing as a resident of Santa Maria to encourage the council to please keep our PNAC open year 'round. I feel it is extremely important to allow the youth programs and water programs to remain operational for health and fitness of our community. I believe closing the pool would have a significant and negative impact on our community.

The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center serves swim lessons, water safety programs, lap swimmers, aquatic fitness participants, high school athletes, families, and community members of all ages. It is an important community resource that has served Santa Maria for generations and needs to continue.

Regards,

Jana Zwilling
(former high school swimmer with a former competitive swimmer kiddo)

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing respectfully to express my opposition to the closing of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center here in Santa Maria. This has been a home away from home for my daughter and has become very dear to the family. My daughter started at the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center about a year ago, after some major mental health struggles due to let's just say unjust crimes against a young child. This has been a place of rebuilding, growth, learning, trusting and not to mention greatly keeping her healthy. It has brought a light back to my daughter that we thought we lost forever. The people here are amazing and go above and beyond with the kids. More than just swimming, they are family.

I am sure my daughters' story is not the only one like this. Paul Nelson Aquatic Center helps positively change lives thru friendships, mentoring, teaching and helping get children ready for life. Also, give them a place to forget about life and just enjoy the water, no stress, no evil, just a safe space. Some of these kids have nowhere else they can go.

All in all, I guess what I am saying is there is no replacement for the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center and to take it away for 6months of the year I feel that is 6 months out of the year we would be letting down our youth. Please consider our young ones' passion for swim, friendship and family.

Thank you much for hearing me out,

Jason Frederick – Project Manager

Dear Mayor Alice Patino and Members of the Santa Maria City Council, I am writing to respectfully urge you to reconsider the proposal to close the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center for six months each year as part of the City's budget reduction efforts.

While I understand the serious financial challenges facing the City, closing the Aquatic Center is not simply a budget decision. It is a decision that would affect public health, youth development, water safety education, recreation opportunities, and the quality of life for thousands of Santa Maria residents.

The Aquatic Center is one of the few community resources that serves residents of all ages and backgrounds. Every day, community members rely on the facility for lap swimming, exercise, rehabilitation, swim lessons, and recreational activities. In a community with a large Hispanic population and many working families, affordable access to swimming and aquatic programs is especially important. Learning to swim is not merely recreation. It is a life saving skill that reduces drowning risk and creates opportunities for health and wellness throughout a person's life.

Closing the facility for six months each year would effectively eliminate access for many residents who depend on it as their primary source of exercise and aquatic recreation.

Unlike many other recreational activities, there are few alternatives available locally, particularly during the winter and spring months.

I am also concerned that the closure proposal appears to focus primarily on reducing expenses without first fully exploring opportunities to increase utilization and revenue.

Many residents are unaware of the programs available at the Aquatic Center, and historically the facility has not always been marketed to its full potential. Before reducing access to such a critical community asset, I encourage the City to explore alternatives including:
• Expanded swim lesson programs
• Increased community partnerships and sponsorships
• Additional programming and facility rentals
• Collaboration with local schools, nonprofits, and health organizations • Enhanced marketing and community outreach efforts
• Public private partnerships to support operations
Beyond the immediate impacts, prolonged shutdowns often create additional costs.

Aquatic facilities are highly specialized infrastructure. Pool systems, filtration equipment, mechanical systems, and water quality systems are designed for continuous operation and regular maintenance. Extended closures can lead to deferred maintenance issues, increased restart costs, and deterioration of valuable public assets. Savings realized in the short term can sometimes result in larger expenses later.

The proposal would also have a devastating impact on the Santa Maria Swim Club, a program that has served local youth since 1921. Hundreds of swimmers participate in the program throughout the year, and many families have invested years developing their children's skills, discipline, and confidence through competitive swimming. The Swim Club has produced college athletes, national level competitors, and Olympians. There is currently no realistic alternative facility available that could accommodate the program if the Aquatic Center were closed for six months each year.

This issue is especially personal to my family. My wife and I were both competitive swimmers and water polo players throughout our youth and college years, and we remain active Masters swimmers and water polo athletes today. My wife spent her entire youth swimming with the Santa Maria Swim Club, and we are now the parents of two children currently participating in the program. We have experienced firsthand the positive impact that aquatic sports have on young people by teaching discipline, perseverance, teamwork, confidence, and healthy lifestyles. The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is not simply a recreational facility to our family. It is a place where life skills are developed, friendships are formed, and future generations are given opportunities that can shape the course of their lives.

The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is not merely a pool. It is an investment in public health, youth development, water safety, and community connection. Once programs are disrupted and participants leave, rebuilding them can take years.

I respectfully ask the City Council to pursue every reasonable alternative before moving forward with a closure that would have such significant consequences for our community.

The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center has served generations of Santa Maria families, and I believe it deserves the same commitment and creativity that the community has shown in supporting it for decades.

Thank you for your time, your service, and your consideration of this important issue.

Respectfully,
Jeff Chaney
Santa Maria Resident
Parent, Santa Maria Swim Club

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my strong opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

The aquatic center is far more than just a pool. It is a critical resource for our community that provides swim lessons, water safety education, youth recreation, competitive athletics, and healthy activities for children and families throughout Santa Maria.

Closing the facility during these months would have a major impact on local swim programs, high school athletes, swim lesson participants, and many other families who rely on year-round access to aquatics. There is simply no comparable facility in our area that can absorb these programs if the aquatic center closes.

Unfortunately, many youth organizations in our community are already struggling because of the rising costs associated with using city facilities. Local Girl Scout troops, including those that have used community spaces for over 20 years, have already been priced out of facilities due to recent fee increases. These programs are now losing access to spaces that have long served as safe, positive environments for local children.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for families and youth organizations to feel supported when it seems that revenue matters more than maintaining programs that benefit the community. Activities like swimming, scouting, sports, and youth programs provide children with structure, mentorship, confidence, and safe places to spend their time. In a town where gang activity continues to be a very real concern, taking away positive outlets for kids sends the wrong message and creates long-term consequences for our community.

In addition to the impact on families, aquatics also contributes to the local economy. Swim meets bring athletes, families, and visitors into Santa Maria who support local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. A seasonal closure would also make it difficult to retain qualified lifeguards, instructors, and aquatic staff.

Santa Maria has a proud aquatic tradition that spans generations. Programs that take decades to build can be lost in a single season, and once families, athletes, coaches, and staff are forced elsewhere, rebuilding those programs becomes incredibly difficult.

I respectfully urge the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and instead work alongside community members and local organizations to find alternative solutions that preserve this valuable resource for the youth and families of Santa Maria.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and service to our community.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Rock
Girl Scout SU 558 Secretary
Troop Leader GS Troop 55101
Parent of High School Swimmer

SMSC Parent and Community Member

Hello
I understand that there is a proposal to close the pool beginning in December and opening again in May. This is supposed to be discussed at the meeting of the city council on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. I teach water aerobics classes for the city, and have done so for many years. I am voicing my concerns about the closure of the pool and how that will negatively affect the community. I am hoping there are other avenues that could be explored to save money. My suggestion would be to revisit the use of the city Rangers, since they don't seem to do anything. I have been stopped twice by city Rangers for frivolous things. I can't see any earthly reason to continue to have these people in any form of city government position. They seem to be useless.

Just my two cents, but I really oppose the closure of Paul Nelson pool as proposed. Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely, Jo Bergstrom
Sent from my iPad
June 01, 2026

Santa Maria City Council
110 East Cook Street
Santa Maria, California 93454-5190
City of Santa Maria

Subject: Please Oppose the Proposed Seasonal Closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

Over the years, my children, as well as the children of my friends and neighbors in the community, have truly benefited from the community pool programs in ways that go far beyond swimming lessons or recreation. These programs have given our children a place to grow, build confidence, stay active, and feel connected to something positive in their community. For my family, this has meant a great deal. One of my children is actively involved with the SMSC team, and that involvement has helped him stay committed to swimming at both the club and high school levels. I am deeply grateful for these programs and the lasting difference they have made in our children’s lives and in the life of our community.

Sincerely,

Joan Velazquez
Community Member

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to let you know I am very upset to hear you are proposing to closing Paul Nelson Pool for the winter. I oppose this, and ask that the city council do whatever is necessary to stop this to happening to our community.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Joelene Wiggins

I respectfully request that you reconsider the proposal to shut down the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May. This pool closure would be devastating to the families that use this pool year round. This is the only long course pool from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo and swimmers from Santa Maria Swim Club represent our small city of Santa Maria in places like Nevada, Hawaii, Texas and Florida.

It is just not SMSC that would be affected but also lap swimmers, community recreation swims, high school swimmers (that can't swim year round at high school) and swim lessons.

Santa Maria has a rich history with this pool. I swam and took lessons at Paul Nelson when I was a kid. I am in my 50's now. I understand and am sympathetic to budget constraints and shortfalls. Please find another way to not take this pool away from the community it has served.

Respectfully,
Johnna Perez

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Jose Garcia
Santa Maria Resident 93455 / Parent / Community Member
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

As a Santa Maria Swim Club swimmer, kids can start swimming year round at 5years old. Competitive swimming requires family participation, as all swim meets require volunteer participation by parents, so it is an ideal place for families to get to know each other and for kids to make friends that they can swim with through High School and into College. I also want to make sure you are aware of the academic impact swimming has on students so here is what I learned about while helping choose swimming as a key activity for my granddaughter.

Across various levels of education, swimmers consistently rank near the top of student-athlete GPA lists.

There isn't just one reason for this; it’s a mix of how the sport physically changes the brain and the "iron-fisted" discipline required to balance a brutal training schedule with a full academic load.

The Academic Breakdown
Data from the NCAA and various academic studies show a clear trend:

Level Finding
Early Childhood
Children in year-round swim lessons were found to be 20 months ahead of their peers in developmental milestones (like math reasoning and oral expression).

Elementary &
High School
Competitive swimmers aged 12–16 are 1.5 times more likely to reach "higher than expected" levels in tests, with 89% achieving better-than-typical grades.

Collegiate
(NCAA)
Men's and women's swimming programs consistently rank in the top 5 for highest average GPAs across all varsity
sports.

Why the Pool is a "Brain Gym"
Swimming is unique because it engages almost every part of the body and brain simultaneously.
• Bilateral Cross-Patterning: Swimming requires the left and right sides of your body to perform opposite, coordinated movements. This strengthens the nerve fibers between brain hemispheres, which helps with communication, feedback, and complex problem- solving.
• Aerobic "Brain Wash": High-intensity swimming increases blood flow to the brain, which has been shown to improve memory and focus. In one study, children who swam recalled new vocabulary words significantly better than those who did "resting" activities. • The "Swimmer Brain" Math: Swimmers are constantly doing mental math—calculating splits, stroke counts, and interval times while physically exhausted. This builds a high level of "cognitive endurance."
The Discipline Ripple Effect
Beyond biology, there is the lifestyle. A typical competitive swimmer's day often starts at 5:00 AM. This forces a level of time management that is rare for most students. When you only have 45 minutes to eat, shower, and finish a chemistry lab between practice and class, you learn to prioritize and execute tasks with high efficiency.

Fun Fact: Swimming is often recommended for students with ADHD because the sensory input and rhythmic nature of the sport help regulate focus and impulse control.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Joy Cook Santa Maria, CA 93454
[Santa Maria Resident / Grandparent / Community Member] Hello!

I would like to send my vote in to keep the pool open all year round. The pool is very important to the community. The Santa Maria swim club is outstanding and offers a wonderful place for kids of all ages to be part of something and learn a variety of skills along with their swimming skills. Please consider keeping the pool open all Year round. I live in the 93455 community.

Thank you!
Judy Ramos

Sent from my iPhone

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully express my strong opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is far more than a swimming pool. It serves as a vital community resource that provides swim lessons, water safety education, youth recreation, competitive athletics, rehabilitation opportunities, and healthy physical activity for residents of all ages.

A closure during these months would have significant and lasting consequences for local aquatic programs, including the Santa Maria Swim Club, high school swim teams, swim lesson participants, and countless families who depend on the facility year-round. There is no comparable aquatic facility in our region capable of accommodating these programs during the proposed closure period.

As a parent, I have seen firsthand the positive impact that swimming has had on my children, Logan Southern and Amelia Southern. They have been members of the Santa Maria Swim Club for many years, and the sport has helped them gain confidence, develop strong work habits, and build lasting friendships. Swimming has provided them with a healthy outlet for exercise and has encouraged them to stay focused and disciplined in school. Through their experiences with teammates and coaches, they have learned responsibility, commitment, perseverance, and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Most importantly, my children are happy. They look forward to going to the pool, seeing their friends, working with their coaches, and challenging themselves to improve. The aquatic center is more than a place to swim—it is a place where young people grow, learn valuable life skills, and feel connected to their community.

The aquatic center also plays an important role in supporting the mental health and well- being of our youth. Swimming provides a healthy and positive outlet for stress and the everyday pressures that children and teenagers face. Regular exercise through swimming helps improve focus, concentration, self-discipline, and confidence while promoting overall emotional wellness. For many young people, time spent in the pool and with their teammates provides structure, purpose, and a sense of belonging. During challenging times, these programs offer an important way for youth to stay active, manage stress, and maintain both their physical and mental health.

Beyond its recreational value, the aquatic center contributes to Santa Maria's local economy. Swim meets and aquatic events bring athletes, families, and visitors to our community, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. A prolonged closure would also make it difficult to retain qualified lifeguards, instructors, coaches, and aquatic staff, creating challenges that could extend well beyond the closure itself.

Santa Maria has a proud aquatic tradition spanning nearly a century. Programs that have taken generations to build can be disrupted or lost in a single season. Once athletes, families, coaches, and staff are forced to seek opportunities elsewhere, rebuilding those programs becomes both difficult and costly.

For many children, swim lessons are not simply recreational activities—they are essential life-saving skills. Maintaining access to aquatic programs helps ensure the safety, health, and well-being of our community.

I respectfully urge the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and instead work collaboratively with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community asset while addressing budgetary concerns.

Thank you for your consideration and for your continued service to the residents of Santa Maria.

Sincerely,

Julie Southern
Santa Maria Resident and Parent of Logan and Amelia Southern Community member

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

The aquatic center is much more than a swimming pool. It provides an essential community service through swim lessons, water safety, education ,youth recreation, competitive athletics, and opportunities for healthy physical activity for residents of all ages.

A closure during these months would have devastating consequences for local aquatics programs, including the Santa Maria Swim Club (SMSC), high school swimmers, swim lesson participants, and many other community members who rely on the facility. There is no comparable pool space available in our area to absorb these programs during the proposed closure period. At present, the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is the home base for the Santa Maria Swim Club, and it has provided a safe year-round space for my daughter to train in her athletic sport, as well as meet other youth within her community.

Research has shown that participation in organized sports is key for the development of many areas of our youth, both socially, as well as developing healthy active lifestyles. It is important that we ensure that community spaces, such as the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center, is open and accessible year-round.

Given the current times, it is even more imperative for our city leaders to recognize the value of these key spaces that support our community by fostering community, especially for our youth. As a longstanding member of Santa Maria, I urge the decision makers to listen to the voices of their community members who are calling for the continued year-round investment in our local establishments that create safe spaces for our children.

In addition, aquatics contributes to Santa Maria’s economy. Swim meets bring athletes, families, and visitors to our community who support local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. A prolonged closure would also make it difficult to retain qualified lifeguards, instructors, and aquatic staff. If this closure is based on pure budgetary constraints, then I urge the decision makers to revisit the proposed budget to see where other cost saving measures may be taken. I respectfully ask the Mayor and City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Katherine Morales
Community Member/SMSC Parent/93455 Zip Code Resident

Sent from my iPhone

Kathy Cahalan

I am concerned the council is considering a 5-6 month closure. It would overwhelm the Y pool.

Sent from my iPhone

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Katia Corona
[Santa Maria Resident / Parent / Community Member]

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully ask you to reconsider the proposal to close the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May as a cost-saving measure.

While I understand the difficult budget decisions facing our city, closing the aquatic center for nearly half the year would have significant consequences for many members of our community. The facility is much more than a swimming pool—it is a vital resource that serves residents of all ages and abilities.

For local athletes, the aquatic center provides a safe and consistent place to train.

Competitive swimmers rely on year-round access to maintain their conditioning, improve their skills, and prepare for championship meets. A five-month closure would severely disrupt their development and place them at a disadvantage compared to athletes in neighboring communities that maintain year-round facilities.

The impact would also be felt by children and families who participate in swim lessons.

Swimming is not just a sport; it is a life-saving skill. In California, where many families enjoy beaches, lakes, rivers, and backyard pools, water safety education is critical.

Delaying or limiting swim lesson opportunities could increase the risk of drowning and reduce access to an essential public safety service.

The aquatic center is also an important gathering place for seniors. Many older adults depend on water exercise programs for low-impact fitness, rehabilitation, and social connection. Aquatic exercise often allows seniors to remain active when traditional exercise is difficult or painful. A prolonged closure would remove one of the few accessible fitness opportunities available to this population and could negatively affect both physical and mental health.

In addition, the facility serves recreational swimmers, lap swimmers, individuals recovering from injuries, people with disabilities, school programs, and community organizations. The aquatic center brings together residents from across our city and supports healthy lifestyles for thousands of people each year.

Beyond the direct impact on users, the closure could also affect local employment opportunities for lifeguards, swim instructors, coaches, and support staff. Many young people gain valuable work experience and leadership skills through jobs at the aquatic center.

Rather than a full closure, I encourage the City Council to explore alternative solutions such as reduced operating hours, energy-efficiency improvements, partnerships with community organizations, sponsorship opportunities, fundraising efforts, grants, or other cost-saving measures that would allow the facility to remain open and continue serving the public.

The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is an investment in public health, water safety, youth development, and community well-being. The savings achieved by closing it for five months may come at a much greater cost to the residents who depend on it.

Please consider the athletes striving to achieve their goals, the children learning life- saving skills, the seniors maintaining their health, and the families who rely on this facility. I respectfully urge you to keep the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center open year-round.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and service to our community.

Sincerely,
Kayla O'Kelly Davis
Community member

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,

Kelsy Gee
[Santa Maria Resident / Parent / Community Member]

Hello,
I’m a Santa Maria resident and would like to encourage the Council to keep the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center open year-round.

PNAC is the only public pool in Santa Maria. While In-Shape and the YMCA have pools, they are much smaller, require memberships, and are not a replacement for PNAC. The pool provides swim lessons, youth programs, exercise, and recreation for many residents.

I am concerned that reducing operations now may be the first step toward permanently closing the facility in the future. If that is the case, I strongly oppose it. Santa Maria needs more recreational opportunities for families and youth, not fewer. Losing the city’s only public pool would be a major mistake.

Please keep PNAC open and continue investing in facilities that benefit the entire community.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Kevin Ochoa.

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,

Kirsten Trefflich
Community Member, former lifeguard and swim instructor

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Kristen Pluhar
93455

Dear Madam Mayor and Members of the Santa Maria City Council, It is my understanding that the City is considering closing the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center for several months each year to offset the ongoing budget deficit. I respectfully urge the Council to keep the city pool open year -round and reconsider any plans for seasonal or extended closures. The pool serves as a vital community resource. Closing the pool during part of the year would negatively impact residents of all ages who rely on aquatic programs for exercise, training, therapy, and recreation.

Personally, I have been swimming at Paul Nelson Aquatic Center off -and-on since the early 1980’s, when I joined the Santa Maria Swim Club. My parents and I were new to the area and the pool provided me with a place to make friends and participate in a healthy, competitive sport. It also helped my parents meet new families and get involved in the community. Our children also swam at the pool year-round when they were younger. I have been swimming at PNAC consistently for the last 12 years for health and fitness purposes. I cannot imagine not having a place to swim for half a year!
Maintaining year-round access demonstrates the City’s commitment to public health, youth development, and community engagement. I encourage the Council to explore alternatives that would allow the pool to remain open and continue serving the residents of Santa Maria throughout the year.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and dedication to our community.

Kristy Schneider
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to urge the City Council to reject the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is not just a pool—it is the heartbeat of our community's health, safety, and youth development. From lifesaving swim lessons and water safety education to competitive athletics and senior fitness, thousands of Santa Maria residents of all ages rely on this facility every single day.

Closing the pool for half the year will devastate local programs like the Santa Maria Swim Club and our high school swim teams. There are simply no other local facilities that can take in these athletes, families, and children.

Beyond the social impact, this closure hurts our local economy. Swim meets consistently bring visitors who stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, and shop at our businesses.

Furthermore, shutting down for six months means losing our qualified lifeguards and instructors. Rebuilding a trained team from scratch every year is incredibly difficult.

Santa Maria has a proud, century-long aquatic tradition. Programs that took generations to build can disappear in a single season. Once families, coaches, and staff look elsewhere, we may never get them back.

Please work with local aquatic stakeholders to find a better financial solution that keeps our community active, safe, and connected.

Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your dedication to Santa Maria.

Sincerely,
Krystal Zoost
93455
Santa Maria Resident / Parent / Community Member
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,

Kyra Hill
Santa Maria Resident / Parent / Community Member, 93455

Dear Santa Maria City Council Members,
My name is Logan Southern, and I am writing to respectfully ask you to keep the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center open.

Swimming has been a very important part of my life. I joined the swim club when I was 10 years old, and from the moment I started, I developed a passion for the sport. Over the years, the pool became much more than a place to practice. It became a place where I built confidence, learned discipline, made great friendships, and created countless memories.

Swimming is one of my favorite sports. It has helped me stay active, healthy, and focused. Through swimming, I have learned the importance of hard work, commitment, and perseverance. Every practice, meet, and challenge has helped me grow both as an athlete and as a person.

The thought of closing the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center makes me very sad. This pool is everything to our swim club and to me. It is where we practice, improve our skills, grow as athletes, and learn valuable life lessons. Without the pool, we would lose months of training and opportunities to develop in the sport we love. I don't know what we would do during the time it is closed, and it would make it much harder for many of us to continue growing as swimmers. This pool is more than just a place to swim—it is where I have spent years working toward my goals and making memories with my teammates and coaches. If the pool closes, I may not be able to continue swimming, and that would be heartbreaking.

The aquatic center is important for so many people in our community. It provides a safe place for kids to learn how to swim, for athletes to train, and for families to stay active together. It helps people build confidence, stay healthy, and be part of something positive.

I respectfully ask you to consider what this pool means to me and to so many others. Please do everything you can to keep the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center open. Future generations deserve the same opportunities that I have had through swimming.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Logan Southern (Santa Maria Resident)

I want to express how devastating the proposal to close the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center if passed would be to my family and community. Three generations of my family regularly use the pool all year long. My granddaughters are members of the Santa Maria Swim Club. The benefits of participating in the sport of swimming are many. Hard work, discipline, dedication and teamwork are all attributes that are priceless.

Please do not take that away from them. Closing the pool for half the year would be the end of the Paul Nelson legacy.

Please consider what swimming brings to our community businesses as well. Swim meets bring people who stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants and shop in our stores. Our city needs more of this, not less.

Thank you for very seriously considering all of this in your decision on this proposal.

Lori Williamson
Community Member

Sent from my iPhone

Good morning,

This email is for the council meeting today asking a Santa Maria resident over 10 years to pls NOT close the pool Dec-May. My son just made the swim team and it is the only pool in our area that is open year round. This pool means so much to our family & community.

Thank you so much for your consideration,

-Lyuba Corbett

Sent from my iPhone

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully urge you to reject the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

As a parent, I have witnessed firsthand the tremendous positive impact this facility has had on my child and countless other families in Santa Maria. In a community where there are already limited recreational opportunities for youth, the aquatic center provides a safe, healthy, and productive environment for children and families year-round.

Swimming with Santa Maria Swim Club has become much more than a sport for my child. It has helped build confidence, discipline, responsibility, and resilience. Through swim practices, lessons, and competitions, my child has developed meaningful friendships and learned the value of teamwork, commitment, and perseverance. These relationships and life skills extend far beyond the pool and have contributed significantly to their personal growth and well-being.

The physical and mental health benefits of swimming cannot be overstated. Swimming promotes cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility, and overall health while providing an important outlet for stress relief, emotional well-being, and mental resilience. For many children and adults, the aquatic center serves as a positive space that supports both physical and mental health during a time when these resources are increasingly important.

Equally important is water safety. Living in California, access to water safety education and swim lessons is not a luxury—it is a necessity. The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center plays a critical role in teaching children and adults lifesaving swimming skills that help prevent drowning and water-related accidents. A seasonal closure would significantly reduce access to these essential programs and put many families at a disadvantage.

The impact of this closure would extend far beyond individual swimmers. The aquatic center supports local swim clubs, high school athletes, recreational swimmers, seniors, families, swim lesson participants, lifeguards, coaches, and instructors. There is no comparable facility in our area capable of accommodating these programs during the proposed closure period. Many athletes would be forced to travel long distances, while others may be forced to quit altogether.

The facility also benefits our local economy. Swim meets and aquatic events bring visitors to Santa Maria who support local hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and businesses. The proposed closure could result in the loss of these economic benefits while making it difficult to retain qualified aquatic staff and instructors.

Santa Maria has a proud aquatic tradition that spans generations. Programs, teams, and community connections that have taken decades to build can be damaged or lost in a single season. Once families, athletes, coaches, and staff leave, rebuilding those programs becomes an enormous challenge.

I respectfully ask the City Council to work with community members, aquatic stakeholders, and local organizations to explore alternative solutions that keep the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center open year-round.

For many families, this facility is not simply a pool—it is a place where children learn lifesaving skills, develop healthy habits, build lasting friendships, and become stronger members of our community.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and dedication to serving the residents of Santa Maria.

Sincerely,
Macy Manfredi
Santa Maria Resident 93455

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Madeline Lautzenheiser, Santa Maria Resident

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Malorie Mendoza
Santa Maria Resident - Zip Code 93458

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully but firmly demand that you vote NO at tomorrow night's meeting regarding the proposed seasonal closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

My perspective is built on more than 20 years of firsthand experience coaching youth aquatics right here in Santa Maria. Over the past two decades, I have watched generations of local residents learn life-saving water safety skills, build character through competitive sports, and maintain their physical health on this deck.

I am fully aware that the City of Santa Maria is navigating a severe structural deficit. However, a rushed vote tomorrow night to lock the gates of our only regional aquatic facility for six months is a short-sighted "false economy." The proposed budget's balancing measure to save $344,000 by closing the facility and unfunding Limited Service positions is a mathematical illusion. Passing this tomorrow will permanently destroy our workforce, degrade a multi-million-dollar asset, and inflict catastrophic harm on our community's youth, public safety, and aging population.

Before you cast a vote that will dismantle a century-old aquatic tradition, you must confront these hard fiscal, operational, and structural realities:

1. The $344,000 Savings Line Item is a Mathematical Illusion A 50-meter competition pool holding over half a million gallons of water cannot simply be "turned off." The city’s own historical operational data establishes that roughly $382,000 of the pool’s annual operating budget consists of completely fixed, unavoidable baseline expenses—specifically the electricity required to run filtration pumps, mandatory chemicals to prevent toxic public health hazards, and building maintenance.

Accounting for inflation, those fixed maintenance costs are undoubtedly higher today. For the city to achieve the proposed $344,000 savings in a six-month window, operational costs would have to drop to absolute zero. In reality, the city will still be spending a massive portion of that money just to keep a closed pool from rotting, while simultaneously wiping out the baseline rental revenues and user fees the city relies on. The true net savings of this proposal is virtually negligible to the broader budget deficit, yet it carries a devastating community cost.

2. A Direct Threat to Public Safety, Equity, and Drowning Prevention Santa Maria is a predominantly Hispanic, lower-income community. Statistically, swimming and formal water safety are not traditionally embedded in the culture of many of our local families, and a vast majority of our youth do not know how to swim. Because private pools and expensive club memberships are financially out of reach for most residents, the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is the lone mechanism providing equal access to water literacy.

A December-to-May shutdown completely derails our most vital safety pipeline: the district-wide 4th- grade swim lesson program. School-year schedules cannot logistically compress thousands of students into a few summer months. By closing this pool during the winter and spring, the city is actively defunding drowning prevention and perpetuating a dangerous, generational lack of swim safety among our children.

3. Permanent Destruction of the Aquatics Workforce
The proposed budget targets the "unfunding of assigned Limited Service positions". These senior guards and lead staff are the backbone of the pool's safety culture. They cannot afford to sit unemployed for six months out of the year waiting for the city to reopen the gates. They will take their certifications and experience to other facilities or private industries, and they will not return. When June arrives, the city will be left with a severe staffing crisis, losing the vital institutional knowledge required to run a massive commercial aquatic facility safely, while facing unexpected costs to recruit and train an entirely new workforce.

4. Crucial Public Health Outlets for Kids and Seniors
We are currently facing a severe childhood obesity epidemic, and increasing daily physical activity is a critical public health priority. For a significant portion of Santa Maria's youth, the pool is the only low- impact physical outlet they truly enjoy.

Simultaneously, aquatics is a true lifelong sport. For Santa Maria's senior citizens, this facility is an irreplaceable healthcare and mobility resource. Because water exercise is entirely non-impact and easy on the joints, it is the only viable fitness option for residents managing arthritis, chronic pain, or limited mobility. Forcing a six-month seasonal closure severely isolates our senior community, cuts off their primary avenue for cardiovascular health, and directly accelerates physical decline among our aging neighbors.

5. Severe Economic Damage and the Exporting of Santa Maria Dollars Closing this facility for half the year inflicts double-sided economic damage on our city. First, it completely eliminates Santa Maria’s ability to host regional aquatic events, killing off the vital sports tourism revenue that local hotels, restaurants, and gas stations rely on during the slower winter and spring months. Second, it forces our local swim teams to travel out of the area for competition. Instead of our families spending their hard-earned money right here to support Santa Maria small businesses, you are forcing us to export our dollars to competing cities like Bakersfield, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura.

6. THE SOLUTION: Stop Punishing Local Families and Demand Regional Cost-Sharing During recent budget discussions, council members have correctly pointed out that external entities heavily utilize this facility—including Allan Hancock College for competitive events, regional school districts for the 4th-grade swim program, and families residing outside city limits in Santa Barbara County. The question was asked: why aren't they contributing to the upkeep? That is the correct question, but closing the pool is the wrong answer. Forcing a shutdown is an administrative failure to establish modern, fair-share agreements. Do not punish Santa Maria residents because our regional partners aren't paying their part.

Instead of closing the pool tomorrow night, the City Council has the authority to direct staff to immediately negotiate Joint Use Agreements (JUAs) and regional cost-sharing models with Hancock College, the school boards, and the County Board of Supervisors to subsidize winter operations.

Rushing a vote tomorrow night based on unvetted, deeply flawed savings projections is an abdication of fiscal responsibility.

I urge you to vote NO on this seasonal closure. Let us keep the pool open, protect our community's health, and demand that our regional partners step up to help fund this vital northern county asset.

Thank you for your time, your service, and your commitment to protecting the health, safety, and tax dollars of all residents in Santa Maria.

Sincerely,
Matt Brown
Santa Maria Swim Coach & Community Member

Hello,

My name is Megan Panofsky, while I am not a resident of Santa Maria, I'm writing to you pleading to not close the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December to May. My children (9 and 11) swim competitively year round out of San Luis Obispo, and we love coming down to Santa Maria for meets as you certainly boast the nicest Aquatics Center in the region. My children also love competing against your stellar swim team.

March to July is what we call long course season (when lanes are setup length-wise), which is a completely different competition from short course season (when lanes are setup width-wise), which runs from August to February. There are fewer walls to provide a boost at that 25m mark, and it really shows the grit of the athletes. Your pool is one of two (besides the local colleges) that can run long course meets in the region. Shutting down the pool from December to May would shorten both long course and short course competitive seasons.

I was never a swimmer myself, but I have fallen in love with the sport and can't say how amazing it has been for my children. Every pediatrician and doctor has said that swimming is a great sport for people in general, but they will also tell you that it is the absolute best thing you can do for children with ADHD. Additionally, I see an incredible benefit for my kids to have time without a screen or noise. It's just them with their thoughts (and friends) for an entire swim practice, which is exceedingly rare this day and age. They not only need the physical exertion but the mental break.

Cal Poly disbanding thier Swim and Dive team last year was a huge and disappointing blow to the local swim community. Please dont add to that with a seasonal pool closure at the best pool in the region.

Thank you for your commitment and service to your community. It is felt beyond your city limits.

Sincerely,

Megan Panofsky

Santa Maria Valley YMCA
3400 Skyway Drive  Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-8521
06/02/2026

Good evening, Mayor Patino and Council members.

We understand the city is closing a shortfall that topped $20 million, and every line got a hard look.

But the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is a public pool which belongs to the people of Santa Maria, and it is paid for by them, the taxpayers. The proposed closure saves $344,000. Against a $20 million gap, that does not solve the problem. What it does do is take a facility those residents already pay for and lock them out of it for half the year.

And there’s a timing problem you need to know about. This fall, the Y begins its own capital project, and our pool will be closed during the very same months, December through May. If Paul Nelson stays open, we want to partner with the city to send our swimmers, our classes, and our lessons there. But if both pools close in the same window, Santa Maria would be left without any accessible pool for half the year. So I want to highlight who actually pays the cost of that $344,000, because the savings is the small number in this story. The cost is the big one.

This past year, the YMCA taught water safety to 579 fourth and fifth graders in that pool, kids from Bonita, Ontiveros, Robert Bruce, Oakley Elementary, through our partnership with the Santa Maria-Bonita School District. This fall Orcutt Union School District joins them. These are not Y members. They are public school children, most from working families.

And here is the number I need you to sit with. Of those 579 kids, 82% had never had a formal swim lesson in their lives. For most of them, that pool is the first place anyone ever taught them how to be safe in the water. It may be the only place.

Those lessons run during the school year, December through May. That is the exact six-month window this budget proposes to close the pool. So this is not a reduction in service. For nearly 600 children, it is the end of swim lessons. There is no backup. The school pools are booked.

When that pool closes, those kids simply do not learn.

And think about who those kids are. Santa Maria is a working-class, heavily Latino community.

The American Red Cross reports that 79% of children in households earning under $50,000 have few-to-no swimming skills, and Hispanic children have among the lowest swim-skill rates of any group. A family with money will find another pool. They will drive to another town or pay for private lessons. The families who can't do that are exactly the ones who use this pool. So closing it does not spread the risk evenly across Santa Maria. It hands almost all of it to the children who are already most likely to drown.

And this is not a small risk. Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, and the second-leading cause of accidental death for kids 5 to 14. We know what prevents it.

Santa Maria Valley YMCA
3400 Skyway Drive  Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-8521
Formal swim lessons cut a young child's drowning risk by 88%, which is why the American Academy of Pediatrics says every child should learn. That pool, and the lessons we teach in it, is that 88% for hundreds of local kids.

So I'd ask you to weigh the two numbers honestly. On one side, $344,000, a fraction of a fraction of this budget that does not close the gap. On the other side, nearly 600 children a year, most of them touching the water for the first time, who would go without a skill that could save their life, and who are the least able to get it anywhere else.

With gratitude,
Michael Specht
Chief Operating Officer
Santa Maria Valley YMCA
Good afternoon,
I was recently made aware of a proposal to close the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May each year. As someone who has devoted much of my professional life to aquatics in Santa Maria, I am deeply concerned about the potential impact of this decision. I was also surprised to learn that many of the area's major aquatic stakeholders were not informed that this proposal was being considered.

The City of Santa Maria's recreation mission, planning documents, and community programming have long recognized aquatics as an important community resource. There is a good reason for that. Santa Maria and the Central Coast have a rich aquatic history, producing Olympians, teaching generations of children how to swim, and providing opportunities for young people to develop discipline, work ethic, confidence, and character.

Beyond recreation and competition, aquatics serves a critical public safety function.

Swimming remains a life-saving skill, and drowning continues to be one of the leading causes of accidental death among children.

As our community begins celebrating 100 years of organized swimming and aquatics in Santa Maria—dating back to 1926—a seasonal closure of the aquatic center from December through May would have far-reaching consequences. For the Santa Maria Swim Club, such a closure would effectively end our ability to operate during the high school swim season, which occurs during those exact months. Unfortunately, there is no alternative pool space available in our community that could accommodate our athletes and programs.

In addition, the economic impact of aquatics should not be overlooked. Swim meets bring hundreds of athletes, families, and visitors to Santa Maria, generating revenue for local hotels, restaurants, and businesses throughout the year.

A seasonal closure would also create significant staffing challenges. Lifeguards, swim instructors, coaches, and other aquatic professionals rely on consistent employment opportunities. If the facility is closed for nearly half the year, many of these trained employees will understandably seek work elsewhere, making it difficult and costly to rebuild and retain a qualified aquatic workforce when the facility reopens.

Santa Maria's aquatic programs were not built overnight. They represent decades of investment by families, coaches, volunteers, city staff, and community leaders. Programs that take generations to build can be lost in a single season.

Thank you for your time
Mike Ashmore

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
Thank you for reading my views as you consider closing Paul Nelson pool during winter/spring months.

Closing the pool would have a drastic effect on the quality of lives for young people in the Santa Maria Valley, including youths on the Santa Maria Swim Club (SMSC).

The SMSC offers world-class swimming instruction. It also helps create great kids.

I grew up in the 80’s in Santa Maria. I swam daily, year-round at Paul Nelson as a member of the SMSC.

The friendships that I and my family made at Paul Nelson pool are lifelong connections.

The experience of being part of the club taught me what it means to be part of the Santa Maria community.

Now my children, 9 and 10 years old, are swimmers making similar friendships and relationships. Without a pool in Santa Maria, year-round, their opportunity to be connected to the local community is suddenly diminished.

Closing Paul Nelson pool, even for just the winter months, risks all the benefits that aquatics brings to the city. Please consider the history, traditions, economic opportunities, character building, physical wellness and friendships that can be so easily lost without access to Paul Nelson pool throughout the year.

Thank you for your consideration and service to the community.

Mike Sederholm
Community member

Dear City Council Members,

Please deeply consider the decision to close Paul Nelson Aquatic Center for a portion of the year.

Aquatics is an enormous benefit to the city of Santa Maria. Aquatics is a huge benefit to the city of Santa Maria in both teaching life saving skills of swimming , but also to teach the life benefits to beings a part of Aquatics.

I personally benefitted from swimming in Santa Maria in development in being invited to join the United States Military Academy at West Point where I will graduate next summer as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. This opportunity would not have been available to me without swimming. And I do believe I will be a greater asset to the US Military due to my time and experience in aquatics programs at the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center.

Please do not consider closing the Santa Maria pool facility.

Very Respectfully,

Natas M. Coats
USCC CO A3 ‘27

Hello,

My name is Natasha Martinez,
I am a resident and tax payer of Santa Maria.

I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Natasha Martinez
Santa Maria resident/ community member

Dont close.jfif

What happens.jfif

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Nicole Latham

Former Santa Maria Swim Club swimmer, Santa Maria Resident, Parent of former Santa Maria Swim Club swimmers and Community Member

Hello,

My name is Dr. Nisa Morey, I am a professor of chemistry Cal Poly and a resident of Santa Maria. I'm writing today to comment on the discussion of closing the city pool for part of the year. The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is a cornerstone of the central coast's swim program for youth and adults. Such a closure would greatly impact this successful program, and push participants to join other youth swim teams outside of the city. Keeping it local is honestly the best option. Please choose to keep operational hours as is.

Thank you.

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

The aquatic center provides essential community services, including swim lessons, water safety education, youth recreation, and competitive athletics. A closure during these months would have devastating consequences for local programs such as the Santa Maria Swim Club and high school swim teams, as there is no comparable facility in the area to accommodate them.

Furthermore, the center supports Santa Maria’s economy by hosting swim meets that bring visitors to our local hotels and restaurants. A seasonal closure would also risk the loss of qualified lifeguards and staff, making it difficult to maintain the high standards of our programs.

Santa Maria has a proud aquatic tradition spanning nearly a century. If these programs are disrupted, the loss of athletes, coaches, and families would be difficult to recover. I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed closure and work with stakeholders to find alternative solutions that preserve this vital resource.

Thank you for your time and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Community Member, Noemi Carmona

Dear Santa Maria City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully urge you to oppose the proposed seasonal closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center.

I swam for the Santa Maria Swim Club from 2012 to 2022. What started as a place to learn how to swim became the foundation for some of the most important experiences and achievements of my life.

Through SMSC and the opportunities provided by the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center, I developed the discipline, work ethic, and determination that carried me through my athletic career. Those experiences eventually allowed me to swim in college, where I became a Division I conference champion and a national champion.

When people look at a pool, they often see a building or a budget item. I see the place that helped shape who I am today. I see countless early mornings, lifelong friendships, dedicated coaches, lessons in perseverance, and a community that invested in young people. Without access to year-round swimming, many of those opportunities would not have existed for me.

The impact of this facility extends far beyond competitive swimming. It provides children with a safe environment to learn a life-saving skill. Water safety education is not optional in a community like ours—it is essential. Every child who learns to swim gains confidence, independence, and skills that can one day save their life or someone else's.

I think about the next generation of swimmers walking through those doors for the first time. Some will become high school athletes, some may swim in college, and a few may accomplish things they never thought possible. Many more will simply become safer, healthier, and more confident young people. Every one of those outcomes matters.

Closing the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center for nearly half of every year would take opportunities away from children who deserve the same chance I had. It would limit access to water safety education, disrupt athletic development, and weaken a program that has positively impacted families in our community for generations.

The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center helped change the course of my life. I hope future generations will continue to have that same opportunity.

Please oppose the proposed seasonal closure and support year-round access to this vital community resource.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Parker Reynolds

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing to share my opposition to the proposed seasonal closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December to May.

My son swims at the National Level with Santa Maria Swim Club. He will go on to swim at a top academic school in college. Closing PNAC for the winter would significantly impact his ability to swim in college.

Swim has also been a springboard for his greater participation in the Santa Maria community. He goes to movies with his teammates and supports downtown Fridays. If he wasn't swimming year round, he wouldn't go.

SMSC managed to weather COVID. After the pandemic, teams traveled from all over California because we were one of the few areas that retained qualified coaches and officials to run swim meets. Teams still travel from Bakersfield and Los Angeles to stay in our hotels and eat in our community. Closing PNAC would impact our ability to attract these out of town guests.

My wife and I intentionally shop IN PERSON in Santa Maria. We shop at Costco, Target, Food Max and Farm Supply. We eat out every week in Santa Maria restaurants. Not because it's cheaper than delivery from Amazon, but because we believe in supporting our local retailers. Real jobs for real people in our real community. Not another yacht for Jeff Bezos. We are willing to pay the sales tax because we know that the revenue supports our community.

Public recreation facilities like Paul Nelson make Santa Maria a great community for us to live in. Please reject the proposed closure and help work to find other solutions to keep the pool open.

Sincerely,

Patrick Wineman
Community Member

Dear Mayor and City Council members,

I am writing to oppose the closure of Paul Nelson Pool the months of December through May. Do you know how many youth and adults use this facility?
It is my place to train for triathlons I do and have done for 22 years. I have made it to Nationals and to Worlds for Triathlon and swimming is a huge part of this athletic endeavor. I am 73 years old and this brings me happiness and health. I am one person but there is a huge group of adult swimmers and even larger group of youth who swim and train at Paul Nelson.. They go to the Olympics even and you are looking at taking this away from them and me.

This is a sport but also teaches our youth discipline and commitment and they work very hard every day for this.

Does the City Council realize how many lives are being affected and harmed? I beg you to reconsider this proposal. Besides the recreational aspect, you are taking away the water safety the youth and adults have gained with swim lessons and coaching. I don’t understand how this is not important to the Mayor and City.

I am a retired nurse and mother of children who were taught how to swim.

Penny Popp
Community member

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

My name is Piper Manfredi and I am 11 years old. I swim with Santa Maria Swim Club. I am writing because I do not want the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center to close from December through May.

Swimming is very important to me. It has helped me make friends, stay healthy, build confidence, and learn how to work hard. The pool is one of my favorite places because I get to spend time with my teammates, learn new skills, and be active.

There are not a lot of things for kids to do in Santa Maria, and the aquatic center gives us a safe place to exercise, have fun, and stay out of trouble. It has also taught me important water safety skills that could save lives.

If the pool closes, many kids like me will lose a place where we learn, grow, and spend time with our friends. There is not another pool nearby that can replace everything the aquatic center provides.

Please, keep the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center open year-round. It means so much to me and many other kids in our community.

Thank you for listening to my thoughts.

Piper Manfredi
Santa Maria Resident

Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center.

The aquatic center is an invaluable community resource that serves residents of all ages, especially children. For many families, it provides a safe and accessible place for children to learn essential water safety and swimming skills. In a community where water-related activities are common, these programs can be lifesaving.

This issue is especially important to my family. My 5-year-old and 8-year-old children are both members of the swim club at Paul Nelson Aquatic Center. The facility has given them opportunities to develop strong swimming skills, build confidence, learn teamwork, and stay active in a positive environment. They look forward to practices and the friendships they have made through the program. The aquatic center has become an important part of their lives and our family’s routine.

Beyond swim instruction, the aquatic center promotes physical fitness, discipline, social connection, and healthy habits for children and adults alike. Countless local families benefit from the programs offered there, and closing the center would remove opportunities that many residents depend on.

The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is more than just a pool—it is a community asset that helps keep our children safe, engaged, and healthy. Its closure would have a lasting negative impact on families throughout our community.

I respectfully urge the City Council to explore alternative solutions and funding options to keep the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center open. Preserving this facility is an investment in the safety, health, and future of our children and our community as a whole.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Raeanna Dupuis

The Reynolds Family
Santa Maria, CA 93455

June 2, 2026

Good evening, Mayor and Councilmembers,

Our names are Troy, Wendy, and Parker Reynolds, and we are writing as a family because the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center has been a central part of our lives for over a decade.

Parker began swimming at this pool when he was just seven years old. He learned to love the sport here. He learned discipline, responsibility, and how to set big goals. Those early mornings and long practices in this very facility helped carry him all the way to the Olympic Trials — and eventually to competing at a Division I university. That journey started right here in Santa Maria, in a community pool that was accessible, consistent, and open year-round.

If the pool closes from December through May each year, families like ours will lose the opportunity to give their children the same foundation Parker had. The Santa Maria Swim Club would have no place to train for half the year. Young athletes would lose their team, their routine, and in many cases, their safe place to grow.

We understand the city is facing difficult financial decisions. But closing the pool for six months is not just a budget cut — it is the removal of a vital youth program, a community health resource, and a pathway that has helped local kids reach college athletics and national-level competition.

The long-term cost of eliminating this access is far greater than the short-term savings. You would be taking away opportunities that cannot be replaced by any other facility in our area.

We are asking you, as a family who has lived the impact of this pool, to please reconsider this proposal. Protecting the aquatic center protects our youth, our community programs, and the future of families who rely on this space.

Thank you for your time and for listening to the families who will be directly affected by this decision.
— The Reynolds Family
Troy, Wendy, and Parker Reynolds

Hello City Council members,
I'm a retiree that utilizes the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center three or four times a week throughout the year. When I swim laps I see many adults like myself that make good use of the facility, whether attending aqua aerobic classes, rehabbing from injuries, or swimming laps like myself.

Of more concern due to a possible closure would be the effect on young people serving as lifeguards, swim instructors, and members of the Santa Maria Swim Club.

Closing one of the best facilities the city owns for half the year would effectively render Santa Maria a second class place to live. California cities that want to be attractive places to live would never consider such a move.

I strongly urge you to oppose any closure or reduction of availability for the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center.

Thank you, Rob Knight

I
Use the pool for lap
Swim
And shallow
Water exercises please SO NOT close the pool.

Roberta Thompson

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Rocio Cowley
Swim parent and Community Member

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

The aquatic center is much more than a swimming pool. It provides an essential community service through swim lessons, water safety education, youth recreation, competitive athletics, and opportunities for healthy physical activity for residents of all ages. A closure during these months would have devastating consequences for local aquatic programs, including the Santa Maria Swim Club, high school swimmers, swim lesson participants, and many other community members who rely on the facility. There is no comparable pool space available in our area to absorb these programs during the proposed closure period.

I am a teacher at Righetti High School and have two children who regularly use the facilities for swim lessons throughout the year.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Roxanne Leasure
Santa Maria Resident / Parent / Community Member
[email protected]
Please Oppose the Proposed Seasonal Closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I have been using the pool (deep water walking) for 15 years. It has seen me through back problems, knee problems and last year my total shoulder replacement. I have to use the machine that lifts me out of the water and I’m so grateful that it allows me access to the pool!
It’s not all about me. The aquatic center is much more than a swimming pool. It provides an essential community service through swim lessons, water safety education, youth recreation, competitive athletics, and opportunities for healthy physical activity for residents of all ages.

A prolonged closure would also make it difficult to retain qualified lifeguards, instructors, and aquatic staff. My suggestion, if budget restraints demand some closure, is that you have extended closure around Christmas (like a week or two) and then maybe close it on Fridays during December to March. That might help to retain your excellent staff members.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the long term closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource. Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Ruth Jackson
Santa Maria 93454
Dear City Council,
I heard the Paul Nelson Pool maybe be closing for part of the year. I cannot express how upset I was to hear this.

I have swam at the Paul Nelson Pool since I was a child when it first opened. I also have many friends in the Santa Maria Swim Club SMSC who swim all year there.

I don’t know if this is a budget shortfall or why this is being considered. I highly oppose this and encourage the City to find sources of revenue to fill this void.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter – Ryan Tully

Good Afternoon,

I would like to formally oppose the pool closure. As a former Santa Maria resident, current club swimmer, and parent of 2 club swimmers… this would be devastating to our family and community. We currently reside in Nipomo and drive to Santa Maria swim club because it’s the best swim club in the State of California. I cannot stress enough how devastating the pool closure would be for our family. Water safety is so important and we are so fortunate to have such an amazing program right here in our community. Please reconsider.

- Samantha Mello

Current club swimmer, parent of 2 club swimmers and community member

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community. Please help us preserve 100 years + of access to our community pool year round.

Sincerely,
Sara Chaney
A life long community member and parent

Dear City Council Members,

I am writing to share my opposition to the proposed seasonal closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center (PNAC) from December to May.

My son swims at the National Level with Santa Maria Swim Club (SMSC). He will go on to swim at a top academic school in college. Closing PNAC for the winter would significantly impact his ability to train at the level necessary to swim in college.

Swimming daily at PNAC has also been a springboard for his greater participation in the Santa Maria community. He goes to movies with his teammates, frequents downtown businesses for breakfasts, snacks and lunches, and regularly attends downtown Fridays (which, notably, kick off in late March). If he wasn't swimming year round at PNAC, he would never have had the opportunity to build his own habit of enjoying and supporting his local downtown community – a habit that will carry into decades of adult life.

As the mom of two busy teenagers, I drive the stretch of S. McClelland St between Oak St and Cook St at least ten to twelve times during an average week. In addition to my son’s swimming at PNAC, my daughter is a student at Everybody Can Dance and a member of the Santa Maria Civic Ballet, who train and rehearse just down the block from PNAC. Especially during the “dark months” of winter, I notice that afternoon and early evening users of PNAC substantially increase the vehicle and pedestrian traffic along the road between the library and the children’s museum. I believe that busy streets are safe streets, and swimmers and families at PNAC are significant contributors to that activity. Surely a year-round aquatic facility is a better “dual use” of funds – both providing community athletic and social services and discouraging criminal activity – compared to a near-future need to increase park ranger patrols or city police patrols on what would become a dark, underutilized stretch of roadway during the winter.

SMSC managed to survive during COVID and, through intensive effort and exceptional reputation for instruction, has bounced back stronger. As pandemic restrictions first eased, teams traveled from all over California because we were one of the few areas that retained qualified coaches and officials to run swim meets. Today, many of those teams still travel
from Bakersfield and Los Angeles. They stay in Santa Maria hotels and eat in Santa Maria restaurants. Closing PNAC during the winter would directly impact the city’s ability to attract these out of town guests, and could impact team travel decisions even during the summer months.

My husband and I intentionally shop IN PERSON in Santa Maria. We shop at Costco, Target, Food Maxx and Farm Supply among other retailers. We take our family out to eat every week in locally-owned Santa Maria restaurants. Not because it's cheaper or more convenient than delivery from Amazon, but because we believe in and we teach our children to support our local retailers. Real jobs for real people in our real community. Not another yacht for a billionaire CEO. We are willing to pay the sales tax because we know that the
revenue supports our community. But to really make this value whole, our community must support its members. Bring the connection full circle – support swimmers year round so that swimmers and their families are set up to support our community year round.

My husband grew up in the Santa Maria area and swam with SMSC at PNAC as a teenager himself. As his wife, I benefit every day - from the character qualities and dedication to community that SMSC instills in its swimmers and families. Public recreation facilities like Paul Nelson make Santa Maria a great community to live in. PNAC is a critical part of one of the best small downtown centers on the Central Coast – one that celebrates and supports residents first and still offers so much to visitors.

Please reject the proposed closure and help work to find other solutions to close the budget gap and keep the pool open year round.

Sincerely,

Sarah Wineman
Community Member

I am really concerned for all seniors that use this pool rain or shine, hot or cold.

It is important for social connection and, mobility, control and prevention of chronic disease.

Also, one of the safest exercises for our group.

What about club, and school teams.

Please reconsider.

We need to make sure we keep community available to keep our community healthy.

Sheri Etheredge
93454
Sent from my iPhone

It has been brought to my attention as late as yesterday, day before city hearing , that their are significant, proposed plans to close SMC pool Dec. -May every year.

There are tremendous negative impacts if this proposal goes thru.

It is not just recreational.

It provides safety lessons for youth thru out the year by providing swimming lessons that have been coordinated thru our local school districts. This responsibility has been shared with our local YMCA.

If SMC closes Paul Nelson, the YMCA cannot bear all responsibility. And, still meet the needs of their members swim times.

Also, the Ymca pool will be closing starting this November for repairs.

The YMCa is an older pool and falls to repair, unfortunately more often than expected.

Paul Nelson has been able to assist and work closely with the YmCA to make sure needs in the community remain in sink to meet children, and adults, and seniors to keep us safe and healthy.

In an era of such Chronic disease, swimming provides one of the best low impact exercises for the body, brain, and soul.

Please recognize the long term consequences of this decision.

Thank you
Sheri Etheredge
93454
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Barnick
Kautz Chevron

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Respectfully,
Victor Velazquez
Community Member

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

My son has participated in swim lessons at the aquatic center, and many of my students are part of the Santa Maria Swim Club. I have experienced and seen the immense benefits of the aquatic center.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Witny Gill
Santa Maria Parent and Teacher

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,

I am writing today to express my opposition to the proposed closure of Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from Dec-May moving forward. I am at PNAC almost every day and have been for the majority of my life. I took swimming lessons through the city when I was little and then joined SMSC when I was 5. I am currently 17.

PNAC is much more than a pool, and way more than a budget item. It is a center for many different activities- and this is what I see when I am there every day. Yes, I have much to say about how this will impact Santa Maria Swim Club as I am a member, but this will have a negative impact on the community. There are lap swimmers, group exercise classes, swim lessons, and even a movie night that is coming up.

Youth activities are clearly important to the development of our community. I see that the city just broke ground on a new athletic complex, and that Alex Posada is quoted to say that the Smart City, Safe City vision is to create "more opportunities for youth" through "organized activities and positive engagement". The city claims that it is "committed to youth support" so I do not understand why there is a movement to close PNAC and reduce the availability of established organized activities and positive engagement.

As I said, I am a swimmer for SMSC and have been for 12 years. Swimming year round is a special thing. It has given me many opportunities that I would not have otherwise had. I get to travel to different states to compete, I am talking to coaches at different universities, I have built strong relationships and healthy habits. I am a good student. This year I traveled to Florida for Junior Nationals, I went to the CA State Championships after winning League titles and setting a League record. I will be traveling to Hawaii this month for the Western Zones Open Water 5km race. These things do not happen for athletes that only have access to their sport part of the year.

If PNAC is closed for half of the year, year-round swimming will stop in Santa Maria. The number of athletes that have progressed through this club into opportunities that came due to the SMSC program is hard to calculate. Do we count the Olympic medal Josh Prenot won 10 years ago? or the athletes that have gone to the US Olympic Trials (2 went just 4 years ago)? Do we count the scholarship dollars that have been earned and degrees obtained as a result? Any way you count, that number will stop growing and none of those things will happen again if year round swimming stops in Santa Maria. SMSC is celebrating it's 100th anniversary. It will be very sad if it is it's last because of a short sighted vote tonight.

Thank you for your time in reading this letter. Please do NOT close the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center.

Zabella Coats
SMSC Member
Community Member
ERHS Student

Thank you
Noemi C Carias

Hello,
I'm writing as a resident of Santa Maria to encourage the council to please keep our PNAC open year 'round. I feel it is extremely important to allow the youth programs and water programs to remain operational for the health and fitness of our community. I believe closing the pool would have a significant and negative impact on our community. As Paul Nelson is one of very few community things available for our growing population and closing it would be taking away one more activity in our town that is severely lacking in recreational and Community building activities. Please don’t take away what little our town already has. Rather be the Council that not only keeps something our community enjoys but the type of council looking for ways of expanding public resources and possibilities for our future community and towns growth.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Kaitlyn Stone

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to respectfully express my opposition to the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December through May.

The aquatic center is much more than a swimming pool. It is very personal to me since I literally grew up at the pool. I started swimming at Paul Nelson before the age of 3 doing tiny tots with my mom, and then joined the Santa Maria Swim Club at the age of 4 1/2 since all of my older brothers were on the team. To this day, I have so many fond memories swimming at Paul Nelson pool. In addition, more memories are being made because now my twins are on the team, and I continue to swim with the Master's program. So, as you can see, the pool and swimming ends up as something that continues from generation to generation. It provides an essential community service through swim lessons, water safety education, youth recreation, competitive athletics, and opportunities for healthy physical activity for residents of all ages.

I respectfully ask the City Council to reject the proposed seasonal closure and work with aquatic stakeholders to identify alternative solutions that preserve this valuable community resource.

Thank you for your consideration and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
Andrea Zuckerbraun
Community Member

To whom It May Concern:

It has come to my attention, today, the city is considering pool closure for part of the Winter months.

Rather than closing our city pool, I believe there must be alternative ways to cut city spending,

Paul Nelson Pool is utilized and enjoyed by many of our citizens, including our retired community members and local young

people who use the pool for daily exercise.

Please reconsider the possible pool closure.

Thank you for your attention regarding this matter.

Sandra A.Ricca

Good evening, Mayor and Council Members,

My name is Nova Bevier and I am here tonight not just as a resident, but someone who has seen firsthand what the Paul Nelson Pool means to the children and families of our community.

When you talk about closing a pool for 6 months it isn’t just six months on a calendar. It’s six months of lost opportunity, lost community, and lost access for the people who depend on Paul Nelson Pool.

You look at this pool and see operating cost, a budget item or a line on a spread sheet. Paul Nelson pool is more than that. It’s a place where kids learn to swim for the first time. I see seniors working to stay healthy and independent. I see families who don’t have private clubs or backyard pools but who still deserve a safe place to gather, exercise and belong. It has been a gathering place that strengthens our community in ways that cannot be measured solely by budgets and balance sheets.

For so many children, it is where they found confidence when they doubted themselves. It is where they learned to overcome fear, push through challenges, and celebrate hard- earned victories. It is where friendships were built, where teammates became family, and where kids discovered what they we capable of achieving.

Every afternoon and evening, you can see young swimmers diving into the water, working hard, supporting one another, and learning lessons that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. These children are not just training for swim meets. They are learning commitment, discipline, resilience, and the value of belonging to something bigger than themselves.

Closing the pool for six months out of the year would have a significant impact on families who rely on affordable access to aquatic programs and recreation. Not everyone has the means or transportation to travel to other facilities. For many children, this pool provides their only opportunity to learn how to swim, an essential life skill that promotes safety and confidence. It is a life- saving skill.

Six months is an entire season of missed lessons. To a senior managing arthritis through aquatic exercise, six months is half a year without one of the few activities their body can comfortably handle.

To working families, six moths can mean losing affordable recreation and healthy activities for their children.

As adults, we often talk about investing in our youth. This is one of those moments when our actions will show whether we truly mean it. The Children who swim at Paul Nelson pool may not have a voice in these decisions, but they will live with the consequences of them.

The people who use this pool are not numbers, a line on a spread sheet. They’re our neighbors. They’re our families who elected you, the seniors who built this community, and the children who represent its future. Do not Please don’t tell us why it needs to close. Tell us how you’re going to help make it happen. There are many alternatives whether it is through partnerships, grants, fundraising, community led situations. There are options.

The true value of Paul Nelson Pool lies in the people it serves. Its closure would leave a void that extends beyond recreation. It would diminish opportunities for health, safety, youth development and community connection. The people supporting the closure talk about cost. What about Value? Value isn’t measured by how much money a place makes. It’s measured by how much the community loses when it’s gone. Please do everything possible to keep this pool open all year. Not just for today’s swimmers, but for the generations of children who deserve the same opportunities in the future.

Thank you for you time,
Nova Bevier

Dear Members of the Santa Maria City Council,
I am writing to express my strong support for keeping the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center open year-round.

As a former resident of Santa Maria, I spent many formative years at this pool. It was more than just a recreational facility—it was a place that fostered community, discipline, health, and lifelong skills. The impact it had on my youth, and on so many others, continues to resonate with me today.

The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is a vital asset to Santa Maria for several important reasons:
• Youth Development and Competitive Swimming: The pool has been home to a thriving swim team program, which has played a role in developing high-level athletes, including Olympic medalist Josh Prenot. Facilities like this inspire young people to set goals, work hard, and achieve excellence. • Water Safety and Swim Lessons: Access to affordable, high-quality swim instruction is essential. Year-round availability ensures that residents of all ages can learn critical water safety skills, which can truly save lives. • Community Health and Wellness: The aquatic center provides opportunities for exercise and recreation for people of all ages—including lap swimming, aquatic fitness classes, and general recreation. These programs contribute directly to the physical and mental well-being of the community.
• Economic and Civic Value: By hosting local and regional swim meets, the facility brings visitors into Santa Maria, supporting local businesses and highlighting the city as a hub for community events.

Closing the pool, even temporarily, would reduce access to these essential services and diminish an important part of Santa Maria’s identity. A year-round aquatic facility reflects a commitment to community health, youth development, and quality of life.

I strongly urge the City Council to prioritize keeping the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center open throughout the year. Doing so is an investment in the future of Santa Maria and in the well-being of its residents.

CUSD Aquatics Office
1690 David E. Cook Way
Clovis, CA 93611

Office: (559) 327-9232
Fax: (559) 327-2956
⚫ Page 2 June 2, 2026
Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Mark T. Bennett
Sincerely,
.

Mark Bennett
Aquatics Manager for Clovis Unified School District
Head Coach of Clovis Swim Club
Clovis, CA

As a resident of the unincorporated area of the Santa Maria Valley, I have been dismayed at many decisions in recent years by the City of Santa Maria, disappointed and sometimes angry at the direction and seemingly unthoughtful growth decisions made. But this one, to close the pool for nearly half the year while claiming that one of our greatest attractions is year long good weather seems to be clearly completely without thought.

As a mom who supported the city and cheered when the pool was upgraded and the Boys and Girls Club was able to set up there, this is horrifying. So many deserving children have gone through the Boys and Girls Club here. My husband was on his own as a youngster, both parents gone and relied on the Boys and Girls Club in Goleta to get him through tough times. These kids need swim programs and benefits that come with that. Confidence, self preservation, skills, independence. To take this away for half the year is a crime.

I am also a mom who had one daughter who was a lifeguard there in the 90's. It was a great job for her and she grew in confidence and made new friends through that experience. Our other daughter was driven by me for years at 5AM to make Swim Club practice. Also a life learning and growing experience. To take this away from children is beyond sad, disappointing and shocking. It's a NO WIn for the community and the city.

People move here and appreciate a nice facility they can use. People from Orange County and the Bay area who had TOP TIER facilities have their kids in the swim club programs. It is also a recreational and tourist draw for the city.

If you have to charge more for the out of city zip codes to use the pool than do so. I understand that the fees in Santa Barbara for their older and lesser pool is much higher than what is being charged here. And if the Masters Swimmers, who use the pool daily for their health and well being need to pay more then charge them more. Mothballing the pool for half the year still requires money to maintain and keep up to date.

That you are even considering this decision is one of the, dare I say, stupidest decisions by the City Council of Santa Maria and there have been plenty of those.

People in this area don't feel that their needs are heard and met, that all Santa Maria cares about is wild unchecked growth and tax bucks. This pool situation is just one more example of what is felt in the community.

Please reconsider and show the people of this city that you do care and you do want all ages, and incomes to be able to be as one in at least ONE thing in this town.

Thank you for hearing me out on this,
Rey-Ann HIgley

Dear Mayor and Santa Maria City Council members,

First I'd like to say thank you for doing your jobs. It takes a lot to be in public politics. Myself and your community have trusted that you are the wisest in our area to make decisions that benefit the heart of our community.

On that note :

Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is a risk for being closed half of the year due to from what it sounds like mis management of funds.

I have been swimming at that pool for 38 year out of my 41 years of life. Never, in any bit of time including multiple national crises, covid etc. has that facility been threatened to ever be closed.

California pools do not close unless you live in snow country.

The swim club is what keeps the facility most funded and used during winter.

Minority groups children elderly disabled mental and physical

You will be to blame for hundreds of children not learning to swim. They will drown because of you.

You all are hypocrites for closing it. You all claim to support minority groups etc yet you're taking away one of life's most essential human natural skills: swimming! Plus the rest of the elderly, disabled, mentally disabled persons who use this facility rain or shine, cold or warm- we show up as our health and abilities to function depend on it.

You cant employ people half the year. You will struggle to find employees that only want to work half the year. Majority of lifeguards and instructors are fresh out of high school and twenties. Those kids need consistent work. Life gaudrd and swim instructing is a career, and skill well respected. These kids are mostly going to school full time and need jobs year round . they won't work half the year and then have to scrap to find something else. trust me like the YMCA in SY valley they can't keep the pool harley open as it should due to lack of staff.

Raise rates on non residential people. Do you realize that public pools of SB charge 12$ for non resident use per day? Did you know Lompoc charges 6$ per person per swim? Did you think about raising rates? I don't think any of us will be too stressed over a few dollars if it means keeping the facility open.

Have you looked at the city budget and figured out what caused you guys to pin your $300,000 shortage to the pool? The pool is not to blame.

Do you have an update on that very expensive solar panel that is going up in the pool parking lot? Is that for the pool to help with economic environmental efficiency or is that for random use? Because that's a lot of money going to something that seems quite unnecessary as you casually risk the health, lifestyle, safety of our community over closing the pool? Majority of the cost for the facility is electrical. Figure out grants or funds to run it off solar. Saves you millions.

If the aquatic center has budget deficit lets all work together to figure out how to fix that. Raise rates, put in solar, increase usage, upkeep the facility just a little bit and advertise it in surrounding communities more to come use, be motivated to save it, be motivated to solve a problem. Don't default to stupidity because it's easy.

You all have more common sense and wisdom to figure out this dilemma that you all have put our community in. Myself and the rest of those affected are not going to suffer due to your lack of it. Use your wisdom ( we all voted you in because we had faith that you had common good senses and a heart for all people and children).

You can figure this out. You have common sense, you have a heart and you have wisdom. USE IT.

Thank you,

Swanson family
Santa Ynez Valley

Santa Maria City CouncilJune 2, 2026

Santa Maria City Council
June 2, 2026