Friends of the Fremont Pool: Fremont Pool hits snag in reopening

Monday, June 15, 2020

Fremont Pool hits snag in reopening

As you know, on March 16, 2020, the Fremont Pool was ordered closed due to the COVID-19 shelter in place order. Many of us have been waiting for the reopening of the pool. The County announced that outdoor public pools could re-open on June 4th and County outdoor public pools could re-open on June 12th. However, on June 10th, our 18-year pool operator, California Sports Center called it quits. They cited financial losses as well as a new time extension of the non-operational hiatus in order that further governmental reviews be conducted.

There has been no commitment on the part of City staff at this juncture as to a date or a plan for re-opening this important public resource.

We suggest you contact your city council members and your County Supervisors for some assistance.

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About Us

Announcement: The Fremont Pool re-opened for limited lap lane swim rentals on July 13, 2000, with Covid -19 restrictions and protocols. CSC gave up their contract; the City of Sunnyvale is running the pool.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fremont Pool was ordered closed on March 17, 2000. More news will follow.

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If you are returning to our organization, I would like to say, ‘Welcome Back’ and if this is your first time working with the group, ‘Welcome On Board’!

I would like to explain my objective in reforming the group and provide a little background for those who are unfamiliar with our project.

The History. Friends of the Fremont Pool was formed in 1999 when the City of Sunnyvale had an opportunity to partner with the Fremont Union High School District to build a 50-meter swimming pool at Fremont High School. Our group advocated for the pool and raised a substantial endowment for the City of Sunnyvale to reduce future operating subsidies. As you are aware, this program was successful, the pool was built, a partnership was formed and we all enjoy the benefits today.

For the most part, the City has handled the community’s interests in this pool by attending and participating in quarterly meetings with high school district personnel and CSC, managing the contract with California Sports Center, paying the high school district, reviewing annual rate changes, and handling inquiries from the public. Lately, there have been more inquiries from the public (me) than usual.

Additionally, the pool endowment, which we raised, is a substantial sum of money at $915,000. We are also expecting to receive proceeds from a bequest in the near future. With interest rates at a historic low, I am interested in investigating investment strategies for the endowment. And, our Trustee, Mary Bradley has retired so a new Trustee must be officially installed.

My Objective. Since it seems as though there has been a fairly brisk flow of questions, billing discrepancies, parking lot issues, etc, and since it seems as though this activity is increasing and because we should do some work in regards to the endowment, I decided to ask pool enthusiasts and interested parties to stay in contact with me.

Thus, Friends of the Fremont Pool is being reformed to have an engaged citizenship aware and communicating regarding some operational and financial issues for which we might want to provide organized input.

Finally, next June marks the tenth anniversary of the Fremont Pool. This is quite a reason for celebration and there may be some good times to be had that we can look forward to. Please stay tuned for more information on that front in the future.

Thank you very much! See you at the pool!

Holly Lofgren

Chairperson, Friends of the Fremont Pool