PLACERVILLE, Calif. — The Placerville Aquatic Center, a cherished summer hub for families and fitness enthusiasts, will reduce its hours beginning in July as city officials grapple with a $1 million shortfall in the general fund.
Despite the financial strain, city staff confirmed that the facility will remain open through August 3, with swim lessons, water aerobics, lap swim, and weekend public swim continuing under a revised schedule.
“It’s already not very much time that we have to swim,”
said Sara Nelson, a Placerville mother whose children regularly attend the center.
“It’s such a good resource, and there’s so many people here that want to use it. If you shorten any of the programs, then they’re all going to be conflicting.”
While the updated pool hours have not yet been posted, the city emphasized that the decision to modify the schedule was not made lightly.
“This decision wasn’t made lightly, but it was made with purpose,”
said a City of Placerville spokesperson.
“Small savings today help preserve big impacts tomorrow.”
The change comes amid a growing concern throughout El Dorado County over municipal budgets, including recent news that county funding for the pool is expected to cease entirely in FY 2025–26, placing even greater strain on the City of Placerville’s resources.
As of now, the Aquatic Center is funded and operated by the city, and not directly by El Dorado County. However, the broader fiscal climate and the potential for future funding challenges underscore the urgency of the city’s cost-saving measures.
City officials say the revised hours are part of a broader effort to align programming with fiscal responsibility while minimizing disruption to core recreational services.
“City staff are doing everything they can to keep the doors open, and we’re grateful for the community’s understanding,”
the spokesperson added.
Residents seeking the latest schedules or who have questions about programming are encouraged to contact the Community Services Department at (530) 642-5232 or visit the city’s official website.
As temperatures climb and families look to the pool for relief, the revised hours serve as a reminder that even treasured community assets are not immune to the pressures of a tightening budget.
