May 14: Verdugo Pool Grand Re-Opening - soon!?

This was sent from the City Council offices on May 14:

"On your calendars you might have seen the grand re-opening of the Verdugo pool scheduled for May 18th.  This event is not taking place then and will be on hold until further notice.  I will keep you posted.

Thank you!"

Burbank's Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy, had sent an earlier email about a ceremony to mark the re-opening of Verdugo Park Pool.  Plan to be there whenever it happens!

Also, the proposed 2013-14 budget for the City of Burbank is reported to have funding for year-around opening of Verdugo pool.  We'll confirm this as soon as possible, but please contact the City Council to support this issue before the June 4 adoption vote on this budget.

March 2013

It's been "swimming as usual" for a few Burbank residents since the Burbank pools closed in September - that means driving 6-8 miles each way to Glassell Park, Los Angeles Valley College or the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks pools.  When will Verdugo or McCambridge pools open?  

What is the status of construction on the new Verdugo pool?  The last report to the City Council was March 5 and did not include a timetable for completion.

What is the position of the candidates for the April 2013 City Council on year round swimming?  Unknown!

This survey request has been on City of Burbank's Aquatics Program website since at least February. The misspelling notwithstanding, it's a good start:

"PLEASE TAKE OUR AQUATICS SURVEY. WE ARE LOOING FOR YOUR INPUT.

The City of Burbank is doing a survey for our Aquatics Program. The survey will assist the City of Burbank in determining programming needs for our community. To take this short survey please click here."

This is a March 30 letter published in the Burbank Leader: 

Burbank Leader

"Candidates and year-round swimming

1:23 PM PDT, March 29, 2013

I've written to the Leader previously on year-round swimming at the public pools and it would be interesting to know about the City Council candidates’ positions on this issue.

However, there is a larger issue that has a greater impact on Burbank that has not been examined, to my knowledge, for several years. That is the failed $10-million investment in Lehman Brothers securities by the city of Burbank.

I understand there is pending litigation on this issue, but some unknown part of Burbank's claims were dismissed by a New York court last October. The new city treasurer reported last August, “The City received the first distribution from Lehman Brothers in April 2012, realizing a loss of $1,405,311 on approximately $2 million.”

Because the city's finances are frequently stated as a reason for not having a full year of pool access, perhaps this is relevant after all. Or perhaps it's relevant to the unexpected resignations of the former treasurer and city manager.

Bob Schmitt
Burbank"

August 2012

The Burbank Leader reports City Council action on extending the swim season in the August 4, 2012 issue.

An August 1 letter to the City Council thanked them for the extension but raised and clarified several issues that a very relevant ten years after swimmer complained about the "summer-only, traditional" swim season:

1.      Burbank and City Council Goals on Year Round Swimming

2.      The City Council Consideration of Swim Season Extension is (at least) the fourth Burbank Action on this Issue

3.      Swimming/Aquatics is a Recognized “Year Around” Activity in Southern California

4.      Parks, Recreation and Community Service (PRCS) Department Should Be the Leader for Aquatics Planning

5.      Burbank’s Communications to the Aquatic Community has been Poor

6.      Community Demand for Aquatic Activities has Increased

7.      Extension of the Aquatics Season Solely as a Budget Issue is Grossly Unfair

8.      Burbank Need Not “Go It Alone”

9.      Limitations of the New Verdugo Pool

Curious about what has happened on extending the swim season in Burbank over the last fifteen years?  This link goes to the document "inventory"!

July 2012

After complaints that McCambridge pool had lane lines out for only 4 lanes, one more lane was added for noon lap swimming on July 2 - now there are five!  There were the same five lanes on July 18.  On July 31, one more lane was added!

At the July 24 Council meeting, the City Council directed Park, Recreation & Community Services Department to prepare a report on extending the pool season after the scheduled Labor Day closing.  This is "one small step for man"!

Posted at McCambridge pool, July 19 and a related story in the Burbank Leader, July 21, 2012:

Two Hearings: July 24, 2012 (Tuesday) – Council Chamber – 6:00 p.m. - Extension of 2012 Aquatics Season – Step One (PRCS) - see below.

July 17, 2012 (Tuesday) – Council Chamber – 6:00 - Verdugo Pool Progress Report

This City Council agenda item (located on July 6) announces the agenda for the July 24, 2012 (Tuesday) – Council Chamber – 6:00 p.m. as the last and eighth item:

“8. Extension of 2012 Aquatics Season – Step One (PRCS)”. 

If this topic seems familiar, read the "News" and "Background" pages of this website. Or go directly to "COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: We should have access to pools all year round" (June 21, 2008; more than FOUR years ago!) It's deja vu all over again!

June 2012

City Council to Address Swimming

Received on June 27 from Marisa Garcia, Assistant Director, Park, Recreation & Community Services Department:

"The City Council will be discussing extending the current 2012 aquatic season at the July 24th City Council meeting.  Although this does not address the issue of a year-round program, it is certainly a step in that direction.  The topic of a year-round aquatic program has been discussed by City Council numerous times in recent years.  As currently funded the program is only budgeted for three months.  As you and I have discussed, staff would like to extend the length of the aquatic program, however we are limited due to budget constraints.  It is our hope that with the opening of the Verdugo Aquatic Facility and a turn in the economic climate, additional funding can be allocated to extend this program."

What prompted this email?  See my June 22 letter to the City Council, also linked on the "News" page.  In addition to swimming conditions noted below, the letter stated:

• Very poor public notice for a community meeting on June 11 about Verdugo pool construction.  About 10 residents showed up!  I did not recognize any other swimmers.

• Illogical reasoning for a lack of solar water heating for the new pool.  "It isn't needed in the summer".  Agree, but does that mean Verdugo pool will only ever be used in the summer?

• Where will leadership come from to have an extended season of pool use?  In spite of Ms. Garcia's statement above - "...staff would like to extend the length of the aquatic program..." - I personally cannot recall any real initiatives from Park, Recreation & Community Services Department on this issue.  A close reading of all the documents available on this website's "new" and "Background" pages should confirm that.

McCambridge pool opened late May.  The City of Burbank reported that construction on the new Verdugo pool would start in mid-June.

Lap swimming conditions are about the same as in prior years, but the following deficiencies were reported to the City Council by letter on June 22:

• Only four lanes are marked by lane lines for the noon swim period (see photo below)

• Water temperature was the highest ever experienced at this pool.

By June 26, the water temperature had declined a few degrees but the shortage or marked lanes remained.

McCambridge pool, June 28, 12:43 pm, a few minutes before the end of lap swimming.

May 2012

Four years of inaction seem to be the breaking point for many Burbank residents as the Burbank Leader published stories, photographs and reader letters documenting the lack of action on repairing or replacing Verdugo Pool.  See the "News" link (on the left) for links to these stories.  The stories included up-to-date photos of Verdugo pool, which look exactly like the empty pool photos taken in 2008!

Thanks, Burbank Leader!

What does the City of Burbank provide for news of the planned construction project on its website or elsewhere?  As expected - nothing.

If YOU want more aquatic opportunities at Burbank pool(s), write to Mayor Dave Golonski and the members of the City Council.  Here's a model for your letter, sent to the City Council on May 22, 2012.

According to the Lap Swim Program webpage, only the McCambridge pool will be open for (adult) lap swimming, with weekday and weekend hours from May 26 until August 12.  From August 13 until September 8, only weekend hours will be available.  This is the 2012 Aquatics brochure.

Pacific Community Pool in Glendale also opens on May 26.  Nice pool for lap swimming!  Fee in 2011 was $1!

September 2011

We have seen the THIRD anniversary of an empty pool at Verdugo Park and the photos below, from September 19, 2011, could have been taken in 2008!  In spite of the passage of time and bonuses paid to relevant managers at the Burbank Park, Recreation & Community Services Department, there has been NO visible progress towards providing a swimming facility for Burbank residents!

July 2011

What is new for 2011?  Not much in Burbank.  McCambridge and Burroughs HS have schedules and fees about the same as previous years but the "season" may be slightly longer - actually open for a brief period after Labor Day!  Verdugo pool remains closed and unrepaired, although a July 17 "Burbank Mailbag"  (News-Press & Leader) letter from Councilman Dave Golonski stated "...construction will begin in the coming months.."  After being closed for three summers, it will be nice to see some progress.  Details to follow!

Meanwhile, Glendale has opened a new, very nice pool - $1 admission!  Off San Fernando just south of Colorado Blvd.  It's the Pacific Community Pool  Los Angeles Valley College is still nicer, just a little further to drive

September 27, 2010

McCambridge Park - Air Temperature: 108+ F;  Pool Temperature: 109++ F

Verdugo Park - Air Temperature: 108+ F;  Pool Temperature: 109++ F

The photos above fairly well sum up the "swimming season" at the Burbank park pools, where the "tradition" is "open late, close early."  On perhaps the hottest day of 2010 (or ever recorded), our pools are empty.  Let's remember this early next year and remind the Parks and Recreation staff and the Burbank City Council to plan and budget for an extended - and reasonable - swimming season.

What was swimming like at the Burbank pools in the (short) 2010 summer season?  Just read the reports below for 2009, but with less days of access.

Where to Swim Now? - September 2010

See the FAQ & Other Pools page.

Early 2010 - Where We Swam

For the early months of the year, I swam at the Echo Park Pool, a Los Angeles City indoor pool.  Both Glassell and Van Nuys pools were closed for maintenance.  Echo Park pool is relatively new, very nice, with a water temp of 84 degrees.  It is about 9 miles south of Burbank - down Interstate 5 to the Glendale Freeway, exit at Glendale Blvd, and continue just 2 blocks past Temple at 1419 Colton St., Los Angeles, CA 90026.  Excellent facility, but please don't come at noon; I want a lane all to myself!

Glassell Park pool appeared to be half full of (clean) water on February 18.

Lap Swimming Extended in 2009

A brochure distributed at McCambridge pool on August 8 stated lap swimming with be available evening and weekends from August 17 through October 16.

Urgent Action Required - 50 m. Pools May be Lost!

The City Council had a one hour session on the Aquatics Facility Plan Study Session report from the Park and Rec Department that included alternative "renovation" plans which would eliminate both 50 meter public pools.

The Burbank Leader reported on this session on June 23.  Peter Lambert wrote to the City Council on the 50 meter pool issues.  More to follow!

Burroughs Pool - July 21, 2009

• All lane lines in place, except one

• Water polo goals removed, but reported back in on July 24

• Very crowded with 20+ swimmers at 6:45 pm!

Burroughs Pool - June 30, 2009

• Few lane lines

• Unsafe Water Polo Goals

• Near chaos with 16 swimmers at 6:45 pm!

Burbank City Council Hears Pool Proposals

The agenda for the 5 pm City Council meeting is here.  Note the Aquatics Facility Plan Study Session report is linked, but is a very large download.  

I've looked at this report, which seems fairly complete in discussing deficiencies of both Verdugo and McCambridge pools.  However, a few issues are not well-addressed:

• Although the title of the report is "Renovation Analysis", no renovation alternative or costs appear; replacing both pools is the only recommendation.

• Recreational and "competitive" uses are given equal weight, this is not supported by the study.  The recommended replacement for Verdugo is a competition pool and a recreational pool for McCambridge.

• Parking at either site is not addressed.  The Verdugo site would never support the parking needs I've observed at the Rose Bowl or Van Nuys whenever there is a swim meet.

• There is no disclosure of the "study group" participants.

This letter has been sent to the Council and may be used for comments at this meeting. 

This is from the Burbank Sports office on June 21:

"Here is additional information regarding the status of the Burbank Aquatics Program:

The Burbank City Council will receive an update on the Aquatics Facilities Renovation Analysis. There will be a study session to  review and provide input on the initial conceptual designs of both Verdugo and McCambridge aquatic facilities. The meeting will be, Tuesday, June 23 at 5:00 p.m. in the Burbank City Council Chambers.  You are invited to attend.

Burbank Sports and Aquatics"