Title
Authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Texas Longhorn Aquatics (TXLA) for competitive swim team management and associated rental of the Gilleland Creek Pool, and to allow for the transition of the City of Pflugerville's Pflugerville Area Swim Team (PFAST) to TXLA.
Summary
The City has sponsored the PFAST Swim Team Program since 2001 by hiring part-time coaches, providing pool facilities, and managing the program. Team member registration fees were set to approximately offset the cost of coaches and swim meets, but not of City staff managing the program and pool usage. Because of the way the program was structured and subsidized by the City, the swim team program has been successful through the years.
More recently, the City has been experiencing difficulty in staffing the program with coaches. Our most recent head coach, Mr. Rob Quarles, resigned this past year and we have been unable to find a new head coach for the swim team program. The challenge has been that we have been hiring coaches as part-time staff, and most experienced coaches desire to be hired as full time coaches. None of the coaches with the Pflugerville School District were interested in the part time swim team coach position. We have staffed the program this fall with our most experienced assistant coaches, but this is not a good long term solution.
In evaluating alternatives for the PFAST Program, we became aware of Texas Longhorn Aquatics (TXLA). TXLA is an established swimming club affiliated with the University of Texas. TXLA has successfully provided a swim team program with the City of Burnet for several years. City staff approached TXLA about operating the swim team program for the City of Pflugerville, and TXLA was very interested.
TXLA will take over all facets of the PFAST program. They will provide coaches and manage the program including all financial responsibilities and liabilities. They will schedule swim meets and events for the team. Additionally, they will pay a rental fee to the City for the use of Gilleland Creek Pool, just as other teams pay the City.
We have reviewed this proposed change with the Parks and Recreation Commission and they concurred in transitioning the PFAST program to TXLA. Parent feedback has been positive, and the possibility has generated a lot of excitement among participants.
TXLA is proposing to start their swim team program for the spring 2013 season.
The positive opportunities for partnering with TXLA include:
· TXLA is an established swimming club that has the coaching and financial resources to provide our local youth with a competitive swimming experience.
· TXLA can also provide Masters adult swimming to the local community at the Gilleland Creek Pool.
· TXLA is a part of the University of Texas athletic program, a team that is very well known and respected in the sport of swimming.
This item is a rental agreement with TXLA, an affiliation of the University of Texas, to cover the use of the Gilleland Creek Pool for their swim team program. The agreement has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney.
Deadline for City Council Action
There is no deadline for action on this item.
Fiscal Impact
A positive fiscal impact is expected from the partnership with Texas Longhorn Aquatics as there will be no financial or facility cost to the City as a result of the swim team.
Staff Recommendation
City staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend execution of the agreement.
Drafter
Tom Word
Assistant City Manager for Community Services