In 2021, BCISD entered into an agreement with the City, paying $6,000 per month to utilize the 16th Street Pool, which outlines that the City is responsible for all utility costs.
Recently, the city notified BCISD that due to excessive gas costs during Winter Storm Uri (Feb. 2021), the pool heater will now be shut down when temperatures fall below 40 degrees.
Shutting down the heater will cause risk of frozen pipes and further damage.
There is no clause in the agreement allowing the City to shut down utilities in inclement weather.
The Bay City Gas Company has confirmed that they absorb the cost of gas at the pool they have never billed the City for gas at the pool.
During Storm Uri, the city did not have thermal tarps to cover the pool to conserve heat.
BCISD has purchased thermal tarps and swimmers cover the pool daily.
UIL swimming championships are scheduled for January – February and any lost time in the pool will be detrimental to swimmers.
BC Aquacats also pay a fee to utilize the pool in winter as they prepare for Winter Games in January.
BCISD Superintendent, Dr. Dwight McHazlett, took the above parent concerns to the City Manager to no avail.
The city will continue with the plan to shut the heater down and will knowingly be in default of the agreement.
We have attempted to go through the proper channels to address our concerns.
Therefore, we submit this letter so that the community is aware of this situation as we prepare to take our concerns to a future city council meeting.
Respectfully,
Lisa Moya
BCHS Swim Parent
