TUCSON, ARIZ. – City Manager Michael Ortega recently reported to the Tucson City Council during a budget discussion that the city is launching a new pilot program allowing kids under 17 to use recreation centers for free swimming beginning June 1, 2017.
Admission fees at 17 of the city’s parks and recreation department pools, including at the Quincie Douglas, Santa Rosa, Oury, Freedom and the Donna Liggins recreation centers, will be waived all summer.
Tucson Parks and Recreation Director Joan Stauch said that the $40,000 in funding for the pilot program is coming from the city’s general fund, according to Tucson News Now.
“Several years ago, I worked with the private sector to form Bring Back the Splash, a private/public partnership which helped to open several pools during several summers when the city faced a budget crisis. With the economic growth in Ward 5 and across the city, the city can offer this pilot program,” said Council Member Richard Fimbres.
Council Member Paul Cunningham noted that the pilot program will help to build community support to accomplish deferred maintenance on seven of the city’s pools currently closed.
“We want to have as many kids out here learning how to swim,” he said.
Get a map and find information on Tucson city pools on TucsonAZ.gov.
