City manager responds to resident who had complained about situation
In response to a recent inquiry from a City of Sarasota resident, City Manager Karie Friling explained via email that “any future decisions regarding next steps and/or improvements to the [Lido] pool are on hold until after the November referendum results.”
Friling was referencing a state referendum that the Florida Legislature approved this spring for inclusion on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot. It would lead to the loss of millions of dollars in property tax revenue, which has been estimated to comprise 52% — or $59,225,353 — of the city’s General Fund budget for the 2027 fiscal year, as noted in a July 27 budget presentation to the city commissioners. The new fiscal year will begin on Oct. 1.
As that slide explained, “The General Fund is the main operating fund used to account for and report all financial resources not accounted for and reported in other funds.”
If the property tax referendum ends up winning the support of at least 60% of the voters who mark that question on their ballots, City of Sarasota staff has estimated that the city would lose $3.2 million in revenue for the 2028 fiscal year and another $2.3 million in the 2029 fiscal year, with no direction from the Legislature about means local governments could use to make up for those losses.
Cathy Cannon Antunes, administrator of the Citizens for Sarasota County Facebook page, put a post on that page on Aug. 4, cautioning readers not to believe that the Lido Pool had to be closed “because the City Commission mishandled funding.” She, too, noted that the repairs are on hold as city leaders await the outcome of the Amendment 3 referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot.
A couple of people who commented on the post did take issue with Antunes’ statement, contending that city leaders have known about the need for repairs to the pool for years and failed to include the necessary funding in past budgets.
The resident to whom Friling responded had sent her inquiry to all of the city commissioners on Aug. 3, writing that the Lido Pool “has significant historical value and is one of only three public beachfront pools in the area. As a regular user, I consistently see the pool filed with lap swimmers and community members. It is a vital piece of Sarasota’s tourism and community life,” the woman pointed out.
The pool was closed on June 8, Luke Mocherman, communications specialist for the city, told The Sarasota News Leader in an Aug. 11 email, in response to its inquiry about the date.
The ‘project briefing information’
In her remail to the resident City Manager Friling included the “project briefing information” regarding the pool.
That document notes that the pool “is the last remaining component of the historic Lido Beach Casino, originally opened in 1940.” The pool is located at 400 Ben Franklin Drive.
A city webpage focusing on the pool says it is 25 meters in length; a photo shows lanes roped off for laps.
The operating hours were 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, “weather permitting,” the document says. The admission fees were $4 for adults and $2 for both youth and seniors.
The document adds that the average annual operating expense of the facility has been $148,000, though the average annual revenue from users has been $11,900.
The average number of passes sold on an annual basis is 4,760, the document notes.
As for the proposed project: The document explains that the goal is to make “critical repairs to the electrical system,” complete the resurfacing of the facility and install a heater and chiller system. “These improvements are essential to safely reopen the Lido Beach Pool to the public and to enhance overall safety [and] reliability, and the user experience.”
Under the heading, “Why the Project is Needed,” the document notes, “The existing electrical system is outdated, damaged, and requires comprehensive modernization to meet current safety standards. The pool surface has significantly deteriorated over time and must be fully resurfaced to ensure operational integrity and safety. In its current condition, ongoing maintenance is necessary to prevent black algae from forming on and penetrating the marcite, resulting in inconsistent operational hours and costly upkeep.”
Another section of the briefing provides the following approximate costs for specific facets of the proposed work:
- Electrical system overhaul — $103,000.
- Pool resurfacing — $187,000.
- Heater and chiller installation — $129,000.
- Pool vacuum —$10,000.
The document does point out, “Continued deterioration of the pool surface and electrical system may increase future repair costs.” It also acknowledges, “Current usage levels and operational expenses may not fully align with community needs.”
The repairs have been estimated to take five to six months, the document says.
As for an alternative facility: The document provides details about the Arlington Recreation Center, located at 2650 Waldemere St., which “offers a 50-meter lap pool, a 25-yard instructional pool, swim lessons, water aerobics, open swim, and additional activities.”
For more information, it adds, the public can contact the Arlington Recreation Center at 941-263-6386.