City Manager Amends Recommended Budget, Proposes Keeping Birdland Pool Open Through Fiscal Year 2026

Press Release

Des Moines, Iowa- Monday, February 24, 2025 - This summer will not be the last swimming season at Birdland Pool if City Council approves a new budget proposal by City Manager Scott Sanders.

Sanders' original proposal included ending operations at Birdland Pool after the 2025 aquatics season as this year's budget aims to address a $17 million gap in the operating budget to provide status quo service levels to the community.

"This proposal provides a path forward for Birdland Pool for an additional summerunder the current budget constraintsthe City of Des Moines is facing," Sanders said.

Sanders is proposing an amendment to the previously published Recommended FY2026 Operating and CIP Budget and has identified alternate measures to balance the operating costs of keeping Birdland Pool open.

Sanders' amended proposal would keep Birdland Pool open for the summer of 2026 while still reaching similar annual cost savings of approximately $180,000 to the operating budget. The revised proposals include:

1. Rotating weekly closures of the City's five major aquatic facilities. Each facility would close twice a year for one week at a time, saving approximately $100,000 annually.

1. Closing the new indoor Reichardt Community Recreation Center pool during summer months when outdoor pools are open, saving approximately $40,000 annually.

1. Ending the Neighborhood Association Capacity Building Grant Program , which would generate an additional $40,000 in savings.

Under the initial recommendation, Birdland Pool was identified for closure due to consistent low attendance, high repair costs, and the construction of a new state-of-the-art recreation center with an indoor, year-round pool less than a mile away ( Reichardt Community Recreation Center ).

This revised solution would keep Birdland Pool open in the FY2026 budget while balancing financial responsibility and operational impacts of budget cuts across the City.

Remaining Public Budget Process Schedule:

• February 25 at 6 p.m. - Public Budget Information Session at Polk County River Place (2309 Euclid Ave)

• February 26 at 6 p.m. - Public Budget Information Session at Pioneer Columbus Community Recreation Center (2100 SE 5 th St)

• March 24 at 7:30 a.m. - City Council holds public hearing on new budget property taxes

• April 7 at 5 p.m. - City Council holds public hearing on the budget

In addition to scheduled events, residents can submit feedback on the proposed budget, view the budget schedule and budget information at DSM.city/Budget.

Contacts
Ally MacLean
Communications Specialist II, City Manager's Office
515-237-1472
AAMaclean@dmgov.org
Peter Zemansky
Communications Manager, City Manager's Office
(515) 210-6586
PKZemansky@dmgov.org

About the City of Des Moines
The City of Des Moines: Iowa's capital city and local government servicing more than 217,000 residents, 47 neighborhoods, over 4,000 acres of parkland and 81 miles of trails. The City of Des Moines stands to be a financially strong city with exceptional city services, fostering an involved community in a customer friendly atmosphere. Visit DSM.city, Facebook and Twitter for more information.