WORLAND – The financial status and possible holidays off were discussed at Tuesday night’s Joint Powers Board for the Worland Aquatic Center.

In attendance were board members Mandy Horath, Carolyn Bies, Jack Stott and Chuck Russell, and WAC manager David Villa.

Villa jokingly started off saying there is money in the account, but membership at the Worland Aquatic Center has fluctuated over the past year.

Currently, the Worland Aquatic Center has 105 memberships and last year membership enrollment was at 110. Villa said “It’s the flow of things,” in reference to the fluctuating membership. “Some families are moving out of town. We had some families that did not renew and some that did renew.”

In relation to finances Villa said they’ve been making chemicals for the pool last a lot longer by shutting everything down at night and it should be saving them some money, but repairs will go up because the state has been cracking down making sure licensed electricians do all repairs.

“The hammer has been brought down in the past few weeks. It’s a problem but we don’t have too many options,” Stott said.

In addition to money saving techniques, Villa said private events are helping with cash flow and bring in extra income at the aquatic center. These small events bring in $200 to $350 per event, Villa said.

Horath said Senate Bill 19 was passed and in July investments will change for entities.

Senate Bill 19 was signed by the governor and is about public funds investing, and according to Wyoming Legislation it states Senate Bill 19 is “an act relating to public funds; authorizing investment of public funds as specified; authorizing a funds pool managed by the state treasurer as specified; and providing for an effective date.”

“I think it’ll be nice to have that option for an entity – not just the swimming pool … and any government entity can invest a little bit better,” Horath said.

The bill states, “Upon request by any county, municipality, school district, joint powers board or any other local governmental entity the state treasurer may provide an investment fund for local government entities under the same terms and conditions as provided in (Wyoming statute). The fund shall: Be a second local investment pool with more long-term redemption options than the local investment pool established under W.S. 9-1-416.”

No motion or decision was made about Bill 19 but Stott said it is “another decent option.”

The effective date for the legislation is July 1.

WAC Holidays Closed

The Worland Aquatic Center is closed 10 days and one day of half closure on Thanksgiving break from 1 – 5 p.m.

The full closure days include: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Presidents Day, Easter, graduation, Memorial Day and Independence Day.

Horath said parents complained because they wanted the aquatic center open for school days off like Presidents Day on Feb. 15, and families had to go to Thermopolis to go swimming.

Villa responded stating most of the days off are because the aquatic center needs a certain amount of staffing, and “his guys don’t get anything” in reference to time off.

Horath said no decision would be made today but she would like to reconsider the holidays the aquatic center has off in the near future.

Russell said, “Can you imagine the football or wrestling team not practicing before state? That’s what we do to our swimmers.”

Those holidays that are around the swim teams state meets in October and this past February for Presidents Day conflicted with practice, Russell said.