Rainy weather could force suburban pools to make cuts

The 2015 recreational swimming season's rainy, cool start has resulted in lower-than-expected admissions at suburban pools, water parks and beaches — and in some cases significant financial shortfalls.

Gurnee Park District staffers have sold about 500 fewer passes to the Hunt Club Aquatic Center so far this season than during the same period in 2014, said Scott Crowe, the district's recreation superintendent. That's about $35,000 in lost revenue, he said.

Ticket sales at Mundelein's Barefoot Bay Family Aquatic Center are down by more than 70 percent, officials there said.

And it's not just pass sales that have suffered. Fewer patrons mean fewer people buying nachos, ice cream novelties and hot pretzels at snack bars.

Parks officials aren't worried, though. They're counting on hot and sunny days in July and August to bring in the bodies. Previous swim seasons have started rainy and cool, too — but people came in droves once the mercury rose.

If poor weather persists, though, the potential loss of revenue could lead to purchasing cuts and staffing reductions this summer and even budget cuts ahead of next summer.

“Next year's capital expenses may need to be lowered to make up for any shortfall (this summer),” said Margaret Resnick, the Mundelein Park and Recreation District's executive director.

Wetter weather

Swimming pools, water parks and public beaches are weather-dependent operations. And it's been a very wet season so far.

Measurable rain fell at O'Hare International Airport on Memorial Day and then again in three of the final days of May, according to meteorologist Ricky Castro of the National Weather Service.

Significant rain also has fallen on at least 11 days so far in June. That's the typical total for the entire month, Castro said.

And while records indicate temperatures have been near average for most of the month, Castro said the mercury has crossed into the 90s only once so far, on Wednesday, June 10.

What has that meant for local pools and beaches? Lots of empty chaise lounges.

Daily attendance at Diamond Lake Beach — another Mundelein Park District facility — is down 71 percent from last year, Resnick said.

Combo pass sales that cover admission to the beach, Barefoot Bay and the spray park are down 39 percent.

Wauconda resident Debbra Sayer has a season pass for Barefoot Bay and typically goes 20 or 25 times each summer with her 13-year-old daughter, Grace. But they've been there only twice so far because of the weather.

“I was a little worried at the start of the season just because it was so rainy,” Sayer said while relaxing poolside one day last week. “I called the hotline at 8 o'clock this morning to make sure they were open.”

Admissions at the Elk Grove Park District's Rainbow Falls Waterpark have dropped by about 20 percent, said Tammy Miller, the district's director of leisure services. Sales of one-day tickets and season passes are suffering.

“We would like to see warm weather for our outdoor water park. However, we have no control of the weather,” Miller said. “We are fortunate that we have a newly renovated indoor aquatic facility, so many patrons use (that).”

Because the revenue from admissions is needed to pay the staff, buy chlorine and cover other costs, parks officials are trying to control expenses where they can.

At Rainbow Falls, some employees have been sent home early on rainy days, Miller said. Staffing is re-evaluated before the day's second shift starts in case weather improves, she said.

Naperville Park District Executive Director Ray McGury said revenue from daily admissions at his town's Centennial Beach is down 25 percent from Memorial Day through this past weekend compared to a year earlier. That's nearly $23,000 in lost revenue, he said.

To make up the cash, the beach has closed early on some days. The staff has occasionally been reduced in non-safety-related positions, too.

“In addition, we work to control costs for supplies and replacement items if revenues are down,” McGury said. “We will continue to monitor revenues and make adjustments to operational expenses in an effort to minimize the impacts of lower revenues.”

Long-term impact

But officials aren't just thinking about this summer's attendance figures when they see gray clouds instead of bright blue skies.

They've got next year's numbers on their minds, too.

That's because too many rained-out or chilly days one summer prompt some people to ditch season passes and buy one-day tickets the next year.

“Some people don't feel they got their money's worth and decide to pay daily admission each time rather than buy a pass,” the Mundelein Park District's Resnick said.

And that could prompt budget cuts for the following season.

“There may be no real effect this year, but next year's capital expenses may need to be lowered to make up for any shortfall,” Resnick said.

No one is panicking, however. People should flock to municipal pools and beaches in July and August when the weather is traditionally hotter and drier.

“Last year we had a slow June and rebounded nicely in July,” the Elk Grove Park District's Miller said.

“We always think positively, and there is still a lot of summer left.”