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NEDERLAND — Swimming season is just around the corner which means it’s time for Nederland officials to get a plan in place for operations of the Nederland Swimming Pool.

The plan officially includes, as of Monday, a contract with YMCA of Southeast Texas to provide lifeguards. 

The city’s Parks Department sought proposals for operation of the pool after approval from city council at the Jan. 27 meeting. One proposal was submitted; it was from the YMCA.The contract comes with an estimated $88,000 price tag and will be paid via the parks department’s contractual services line item, city manager Chris Duque said. 

The cost of lifeguards is the same as last year.

“The contract price is estimated based on the number of operational hours, and the anticipated staffing can fluctuate based on lifeguard demand, rain outs, etc.,” Duque said. “The past two pool seasons have seen greater maximum capacity, open swim days and less rain outs, driving the number of lifeguards higher than usual pool seasons. 

The YMCA is only providing the lifeguards and not in charge of pool maintenance or other pool services.

The partnership between the city of Nederland and the YMCA began in 2022. The need for certified lifeguards stems from a nationwide shortage.