Free Resident Pool Pass Draws 184 Sign-Ups as Fritz Burns Hits Capacity
Arts and Community Services Commission • La QuintaSeptember 14, 2026
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La Quinta's new resident pool pass is already testing the limits of the Fritz Burns Park pool, with 184 households signing up since Sept. 1 and the pool reaching its roughly 200-swimmer capacity. At its Sept. 14, 2026, meeting, the Arts and Community Services Commission heard that update and, in five unanimous votes, set its leadership for 2026-27 and staffed the panels that will pick art for the last two-show year at the Civic Center.
- 184 resident pool passes issued since Sept. 1; Fritz Burns pool nearing its staffing-based limit
- No cap on passes yet, and the city absorbs costs through its Desert Recreation District contract
- Final year of two Civic Center art shows; selection panels named 5-0
- Chair reappointed, Commissioner Cynthia Biesmeyer elected vice chair for fiscal year 2026-27
- LQ Fall Fest returns Oct. 16, and concerts add earlier 5:30 p.m. starts
Pool Pass Demand Outpaces the Pool
The basics: Fritz Burns Park reopened in May with a new water activity pool, and demand was high from the start. The City Council wanted to reintroduce residents to the pool, so it created a resident pass.
"Residents are allowed to get a 10-punch punch card, so one per household," said city staff. Households can get a card twice a year. Entry normally costs $4 for adults and $3 for children, and residency verification is required.
Why it matters: The pass is effectively free entry funded by the city. Staff explained that La Quinta contracts with the Desert Recreation District to run the pool, and "we pay for their services minus any of the revenue that comes through." Charging residents, in other words, would amount to the city charging itself. Every punch a resident uses is admission revenue the city's contract no longer offsets.
Where things stand: Staff reported 184 passes issued since Sept. 1. Pool hours were extended to seven days a week until mid-October after the district hired more lifeguards. Those extra days carry a contract wrinkle. "It's not in the current contract, but it will be when they do their extension," said city staff.
An added summer day is also expected in next year's proposal from the district. "Next year, it's already on their radar," staff said.
The open questions: Asked by the chair whether the city would cap the number of passes, staff said no limit has been set. "We don't have that yet. I was not given that direction," said city staff.
Capacity is the harder constraint. "I think it's about 200 at a time based on the number of lifeguards that are on duty," staff said. That means lifeguard staffing, not pool size, sets how many residents get in.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The report was informational, and the commission took no action. Residents gain low-cost access to a new amenity. The city takes on a growing subsidy whose size depends on uptake. The Desert Recreation District must staff lifeguards to keep pace with demand. With no cap and a 200-person ceiling, peak-day crowding is the likely pressure point.
What's next: Staff gives the city manager weekly updates and will report to the commission quarterly. Watch whether the council sets a pass cap and how the district's contract extension handles expanded days.
Last Year of Two Civic Center Art Shows
The basics: The La Quinta Art Celebration runs Nov. 12-15, 2026. Under a new three-year agreement, a show will also be held March 4-5, 2027, so the commission needed two selection committees this year.
Why it matters: This is the final year with two Civic Center shows. "We're not going to do 2 shows after this," said city staff. Going forward, the agreement provides one show annually, which halves the commission's opportunities to shape art displayed at the Civic Center.
Where things stand: The chair proposed splitting the work by experience. Commissioners who served last time would take the November show, and the newest members would take March. "I would like to see you do the fall," said the commission's Chair.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: After checking calendars, the commission appointed Commissioner Biesmeyer and Commissioner Mary Ann Brower to the November committee and Commissioner Davis and Commissioner Webb to the March committee. Webb moved and Davis seconded. The motion passed For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0. Pairing veterans with the fall show gives the larger celebration experienced eyes, while newcomers learn the process on the March show.
Chair Returns, Biesmeyer Takes Vice Chair
Where things stand: The commission reappointed its sitting chair for fiscal year 2026-27. Biesmeyer moved and Brower seconded, according to the clerk. Before the roll call, the chair asked whether voting for oneself was allowed and was told it was. The vote was For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0.
The vice chair choice: Two names surfaced. One commissioner nominated Brower, and another planned to nominate Biesmeyer. The clerk offered to hold two votes or let the commission settle on one. Commissioners deferred to each other, with one pointing to the work of leading an upcoming gala at the Desert Art Center.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Webb moved to appoint Biesmeyer as vice chair, and Brower seconded. The motion passed For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0. The consensus approach avoided a contested vote. Leadership sets who runs the commission's quarterly meetings and agendas for the year.
Events and Youth Programs Ramp Up
What changed: LQ Fall Fest returns for its second year on Oct. 16 at La Quinta Park. Staff scheduled it on a school in-service day to ease traffic. The concert series returns after the new year with six concerts, and some will start earlier in response to resident feedback. "So we did try to incorporate that for a couple of them where we start at 5:30," said city staff.
Looking further out: "The city is going to turn 45 years old in 2027," staff noted, previewing signature events for that milestone year.
Youth Collective results: Last year's La Quinta Youth Collective had 20 sign-ups, 19 completions and 11 scholarships awarded. Projects included an intergenerational paint-and-sip with The Palms and Hadley Villas. Students also held a pet adoption event at the picnic with PetSmart dog tags. No pets were adopted, but staff said the response was positive.
What's next: Applications for the new cohort closed the Friday before the meeting. The program returns Oct. 7 with room for about 20 to 22 students.
Minor Items
- Consent calendar: Approved unanimously, For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0.
- Bookmobile ribbon cutting: Set for Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m. Staff will email invitations.
- New commissioner: The chair welcomed Davis, the commission's newest member.
- Dawn pickleball: A commissioner reported players at Fritz Burns around 4:30 a.m. Staff said the court lights run on a timer, no complaints have been received, and Palm Springs is building 24 courts.
- Ironman: The race returns Dec. 7, but it is not a city-run event.
Looking Ahead
The commission meets next on Dec. 14, followed by March 8 and June 14, 2027. The first quarterly pool pass report should show whether demand, costs and capacity are holding steady.