Town of Yountville
Staff Report
6550 Yount Street
Yountville, CA 94599
Agenda Item #: 11A
Yountville Town Council Staff Report
DATE: November 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Samantha Holland, Parks & Recreation Director
PREPARED BY: Samantha Holland, Parks & Recreation Director
RECOMMENDATION
Receive the Yountville Commons pool presentation and provide direction to staff.
DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
As part of the planning process for the Yountville Commons property, a 3-lane lap pool has been discussed and conceptually drawn as a potential new amenity for the site behind Schmitt Hall. The conceptual pool is intended to function as a shallow pool facility for lap-swim, facilitated swimming lessons, and exercise classes. There are two options for how a pool could be operated, either by the Town, or through a partnership with Yountville Fit.
There is also a conceptual drawing for a multi-purpose sport court that was proposed as the non-pool option.
On September 16, during the outreach efforts for the Commons, the Town Council discussed the pool. The Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) also received an update on the project on September 18 and provided general feedback without any recommendation specific to the pool or the non-pool option.
Brad Raulston, Town Manager, Samantha Holland, Parks & Recreation Director, and Donavan Almond, Owner and CEO of Donavan’s Wellness Solutions, who operates Yountville Fit, will share information and an overview of three potential options for the pool site at the November 4 Council meeting. The Council could direct staff and Mr. Almond to present to PRAC at their regularly scheduled meeting on November 20 to request a formal recommendation from PRAC. Staff are recommending that we have clear direction from the Council in December so that we can include this decision in the financial options for the Commons project scheduled for early 2026.
Town Investment
The facility, as proposed, is a 75’ x 21’ rectangle pool with an entry square. The pool would be 3.5’ deep at the ends and 4.5’ deep at the center and includes a spa. This would allow for 3 lanes for lap swimming, and with lap lanes removed, adequate space for fitness classes and swimming lessons. The pool deck area provides space for limited furniture and amenities. The project, as shown, creates a fenced area off the Schmitt Hall Building restrooms, which would be enhanced and built to include locker rooms, showers, and restrooms. The proposal shows a hydrotherapy spa to the right. The spa makes sense for the partnership operating model but would be eliminated in the municipal-run model.
The contractor's estimate for the construction of the pool facility, including the spa, is $500,000 (+/- 10%).
The laws governing the safety, oversight, and operations of a public pool facility, as outlined in Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 20 of the California Code, specify the requirements for Public Swimming Pools, which would apply to this facility regardless of its operational model. The main difference in operational models is the requirement to provide Lifeguard oversight when the pool is open, which is a requirement in most situations for state and local municipalities, and the standard for adequate risk management. Membership-based pools, like those at health clubs, can post clear signage that there is no lifeguard on duty, alleviating the need to have the pool always staffed with designated Lifeguards.
OPTION 1
Partnership Model/Yountville Fit Run (Donavan Almond, Donavan’s Wellness Solutions) Under this model, members of Yountville Fit will be able to add on to their existing or new membership to have use of the pool for aqua aerobics, yoga, master swim, group swim lessons, lap swim, and private physical therapy and training sessions. Classes and services will also be available to everyone on a dropin basis for those who want to visit or participate without membership for a fee.
Yountville Fit would oversee and assume all costs for utilities, including power, gas, and water; regular daily maintenance, including pool chemicals, custodial services, furniture/supplies, as well as staffing, compliance with all regulatory requirements, and oversight for pool operations under a new or revised agreement. Yountville Fit would also be required to carry the appropriate levels of insurance for the operation of the pool.
The Town of Yountville would be responsible for the funding and oversight of planning, design, and construction. The Town would also be responsible for any capital maintenance projects and repairs longterm. Examples of this include pool deck resurfacing, mechanical and pump servicing/replacement, and eventual pool resurfacing. These costs would be incurred by the Town regardless of the operational model.
If desired, more analysis could be conducted in the long-term; 15-20 year cost estimates associated with this amenity could be researched.
Attachment 1 of the packet shows the detailed budget estimates compiled by Yountville Fit. • Year 1 shows an operational deficit of -$2,500 and $69,500 in start-up costs that would not be recovered by the revenue in year 1.
• Year 2 shows an operational surplus of $75,500 with a carryover of $72,000 loss from year 1, equaling a net profit of $3,500.
• Year 3 shows net profit of $82,750.
If the partnership model is supported by the PRAC and Council, staff will propose contract terms to the Town Council for review and approval that would outline the terms of use as well as terms for revenue sharing if the project is approved to proceed. These contract terms would closely align with the existing agreement with Donovan Wellness Solutions.
OPTION 2
Municipal Pool Model (Samantha Holland, Parks & Recreation Director) Under this model, the Town would construct, operate, and maintain the pool. Historically, the Town operated the Veterans Home Community Pool seasonally from June – August. This model would be significantly different. The Yountville Commons pool would be operated year-round and would operate as a teaching and lap swimming facility. Events or public open play/swim/recreational offerings would be limited and not the same as what was offered at the Veterans Home Pool due to the significant differences in the facilities.
The estimate shown in attachment 2 shows the pool being operated on a fee-for-use basis for lap swim, swim lessons, and aqua fitness classes and programs. Through the Parks & Recreation Department, participants would register for programs and services. Town staff would be responsible for overseeing all programs and services.
The Town of Yountville would also oversee and assume all costs for utilities, including power, gas, and water; regular daily maintenance, including pool chemicals, custodial services, furniture/supplies, staffing, all regulatory compliance, and oversight for pool operations. The Town would also assume all liability and provide all insurance through CIRA. As noted above, the Town would be responsible for all funding and oversight of the planning, design, and construction of the pool facility, regardless of the operational model.
Attachment 2 of the packet shows the detailed budget estimates compiled by Town Staff and includes the following:
• Programming/Open Hours estimated at 27 hours per week/6 days a week. • Year 1 shows an operational deficit of $335,215.
o Revenue: $81,600 Expenses: $416,815 ($220,535 Staffing, $10,080 Contract Instructors, $186,200 Maintenance, Supplies, Insurance)
• Year 2 shows an operational deficit of $336,307. Savings from furniture costs were in year one.
Estimating 5% cost escalation in most other areas from year 1. • Staff would estimate an annual subsidy of $335,000-$355,000, ongoing without capital improvements or emergency repairs.
• The estimates show part-time staffing additions of 4 Lifeguards and 2 Swim Instructors (Lifeguards can also act as swim instructors).
• Allocations for Full Time Staff include 1 Maintenance Worker 12.5% FTE, 1 Recreation Coordinator at 25% FTE, and 1 Recreation Supervisor at 12.5% FTE. Estimates include salary and benefits.
Further analysis needs to be conducted into whether the new duties could be completed with existing positions. Options would include workload reduction in other areas (stop providing something else to provide this) to accommodate or bring on new staff to distribute the workload. • Regular pool maintenance (chemicals, filters, and testing) would be contracted out to a company, with one Town staff person required to be a Certified Pool Operator for compliance. Comparable contracts from neighboring cities were used for budget estimates. • Liability and Property Insurance estimates were based on CIRA requirements.
Another consideration is persistent shortage of lifeguards continues across the United States. There is competition from higher-paying jobs, and barriers to certification and completion of intensive training. These positions have historically relied heavily on high school students and young adults who may not have regular flexibility to work daytime hours or may be looking for full-time work. In 2025, 41% of respondents to a 2025 Recreation Management Survey reported recruitment challenges resulting in lowered programming hours. 10.9% reported having to close a facility due to a lack of staffing.
OPTION 3
No Pool/Area Developed as Sport Court
The final option is to not build/operate a pool and instead, design the area to include a general-use basketball/sport court. This would offer the same type of use that is currently provided in the immediate area for the general public's drop-in use. It may be programmed minimally for mini-sports or other Parks and Recreation programming.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Exempt per California Environmental Act (CEQA) Guideline, Section 15061(b)(3).
FISCAL IMPACT
Is there a Fiscal Impact? Yes
Is it Currently Budgeted? No
Where is it Budgeted? N/A
Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? Discretionary
Is there a Staff Resource Impact? Yes
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL
Is item Identified in Strategic Plan? Indirectly
If yes, Identify Strategic Goal and Objective. Responsible Fiscal Policy. Visionary Leadership, Quality of Life Briefly Explain Relationship to Strategic Plan Goal and Objective.
The Town Council's desire to further analyze the possibility of a pool at Yountville Commons shows the Responsible Fiscal Policy. Town staff and Council are showing Visionary Leadership by gathering information and listening to the community's needs to make decisions for the future. With Quality of Life in mind, Town staff and the Council seek to always strive to provide well-maintained and planned facilities for our residents, including with this potential project.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Partnership - Yountville Fit Run Model Financials
2. Municipal - Town Run Model Financials