Patrons of the John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool in Oak Harbor can expect to enjoy a modest increase in lap swim and open swim times beginning next month.

A new school-year schedule takes effect at the pool March 1.

North Whidbey Parks and Recreation District commissioners approved the schedule in a four-to-one vote at a special meeting Feb. 9.

The schedule will be in effect through June 19, at which time a summer schedule will commence.

Steve McCaslin, executive director, presented the idea of a school-year and subsequent summer schedule, to be in effect from Labor Day to the last day of school and the following Monday until the Friday before Labor Day, respectively.

A new weekend schedule is also going into effect, though weekends are expected to remain the same throughout the year.

McCaslin said there will be no significant modifications, though lap swim times will increase by about two and-a-half hours per week, while time allotted to private lessons as well as open swim will also increase slightly.

“It makes more sense for what we do,” McCaslin said to commissioners.

Commissioner Richard Fort suggested that, in light of the district’s $49,000 budget deficit, the pool open two hours later, at 8 a.m., thus being closed during times when the North Whidbey Aquatics Club and Oak Harbor High School swim teams use part of the pool for morning practice.

He said this could decrease staffing costs for front desk staff and lifeguards during this time and allow the pool to be more accessible to other programs and users during “revenue-generating hours” such as in the afternoon, when swim teams again use part of the pool for practice.

Commissioner Wendy Shingleton responded by noting that the swim teams share the pool with other swimmers during these times in order to accommodate other programs and allow the pool to generate revenue throughout the day.

She noted that some swimmers are only able to come at specific times, and shutting the pool down at these times could prompt patrons to swim elsewhere.

Erika Miller, director of aquatics and programs, noted that active duty military personnel frequently take advantage of the 6 a.m. swim time, and taking away that time slot could mean a significant loss in revenue.

Commissioners Donna Sue Holly and Shane Hoffmire agreed, with Hoffmire pointing out that a loss of patrons would mean a loss of votes on future levies.

Miller added that several patrons use the wading pool and hot tub during swim team practice times as well, and noted that the aquatics department has cut out one lifeguard during shifts, while she occasionally covers lunch breaks for staff.

This has “substantially cut down on the payroll,” she said.

During the afternoon swim team practice time from 2:45-4 p.m., in particular, Miller said the pool is simultaneously used for private swim lessons, with which the department has been “inundated” as of late.

Miller said that, though this strategy has yet to be evaluated in detail for its effectiveness, private lessons at $40 per lesson are known to be a revenue-generating program.

With the new schedule, another half-hour will be allotted to private swim lessons on the weekends.