Losses, subsidies increase in last complete fiscal year for Elk Grove's District56 Aquatics Center
That facility opened in May 2019 and has been plagued by lawsuits, escalating operating costs, numerous equipment failures, and the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown
Even though the city of Elk Grove's last complete fiscal year, fiscal year 2024, ended on June 30, 2024, a report on the District56 Aquatics Center was not given until the Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Elk Grove City Council meeting.
That facility opened in May 2019 and has been plagued by lawsuits, escalating operating costs, numerous equipment failures, and the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. While the operations showed some improvement for fiscal year 2024, the losses increased.
District56 community center manager Jeff Scanlon and Lana Yoshimura of Consumnes Community Service District, which the city contracts to manage the pool and recreational programming, gave the report.
Scanlon reported that budgeted expenses were $1,060,000, but actual costs were $1,145,000. Scanlon told the city council that the annual subsidy increased eight percent from $821,000 to $883,719.
During their presentations, Scanlon and Yoshimura also expressed qualified confidence that the fiscal year 2025, which ends on June 30, will produce better results. Yoshimura discussed new recreational programs meant to increase revenues but also said challenges persist.
"The center does have ongoing challenges," Yoshimura stated.
Yoshimura also made a peculiar statement, implying Aquatic Center users increasingly demand more services. In her commentary, which can be seen here, Yoshimura compared them to reality TV personalities, the Kardashian family.
During city council deliberation, City Councilmember Kevin Spease, who has pushed for annual updates about the Aquatics Center operations, noted that ongoing financial support is needed for the swimming pool operations.
"We'll never be profitable, we recognize that," he said.
