Agenda Item Wording:
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Aquatics Facility Presentation - Management staff from the Parks and Recreation Department will deliver a presentation on different types of aquatic facilities.
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Prepared by: Jason Glick, Parks and Recreation Director, (559)713-4042 jason.glick@visalia.gov Laurissa Roggenkamp, Recreation Manager, (559) 713-4336 laurissa.roggenkamp@visalia.gov;
Department Recommendation: Staff recommend that City Council consider the information provided in the aquatics facility presentation on different types of aquatics facilities and provide comments and guidance. Recommendations provided by City Council will be used by staff to pursue development options for an aquatics facility.
Summary:
In January 2025 at the City Council Strategic Planning Session staff were asked to provide information about aquatics facilities. The Parks and Recreation management staff will provide a presentation providing an overview of the following information:
- History of and Current Aquatics Facilities in Visalia
- Past studies on Aquatics Facilities and Programs
- Current Aquatics Programs offered by the City of Visalia
- An overview of various types of aquatic facilities, which include:
o Competition-Only (Outdoor)
o Competition-Only (Indoor)
o Competition & Recreation (Outdoor)
o Competition & Recreation (Indoor)
o Recreation-Only (Outdoor)
o Recreation-Only (Indoor)
Staff is seeking direction from the City Council on whether there is interest in pursuing the development of an aquatic facility. If so, the Council is asked to consider the following options:
1. Identify a preferred facility type for staff to explore at this time.
2. Take additional time to evaluate the available options.
3. Provide staff with guidance on any further information or analysis needed to support a future decision.
Background Discussion:
Aquatics Facilities in Visalia
In 1896, Visalia’s first pool, a Natatorium Public Pool, was established on the northeast corner of Main Street and Santa Fe Avenue. The facility featured a trapeze and two springboards and was supplied with water from the City’s Water Works Plant.
The second pool, known as "The Plunge," was built in 1939 at the southeast corner of Acequia and Bridge Street.
In 1955, the third pool was constructed in Recreation Park. It served both the Redwood High School Aquatics Teams and the Visalia Parks and Recreation Department. This pool remained in use until it was demolished in 1986.
The Visalia Unified School District (VUSD) also developed several aquatic facilities, beginning in the late 1950s. The City of Visalia played a role in financially supporting the construction and remodeling of some of these pools. There are four pools located within VUSD boundaries:
• The Mt. Whitney High School Pool was built in 1958 and remodeled in 1997.
• The Redwood High School Pool was constructed in 1982 by the City of Visalia at a cost of $500,000. It is located on school district property and is under a 99-year lease agreement with the City, which will expire in 2081.
• The Golden West High School Pool was originally built in 1985. The City purchased an aluminum pool that had been used as a warm-up facility during the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. It was remodeled in 1987.
• The El Diamante High School Pool was completed in 2007 and was partially funded by the City.
In 1997, a 25-year joint-use agreement was signed between the City and VUSD for the Mt. Whitney and Golden West pools. The El Diamante pool was added to this agreement in 2007. All joint-use agreements expired in 2022.
Past Studies on Aquatics Facilities and Programs
In 2006-2007, the City of Visalia formed an ad hoc Aquatic Committee to explore the possibility of developing a municipal aquatic center. The plan included hiring a consultant to refine conceptual plans for the facility at several potential sites throughout the city. The proposed study would have provided cost estimates for construction as well as projected annual operation and maintenance expenses. However, the study was ultimately not funded, and the project did not move forward.
On August 6, 2018, an independent group presented to the City Council to express interest in the development of an aquatic center in Visalia. The group requested $40,000 in funding to hire a consultant who would create a preliminary design, provide construction and annual operation and maintenance cost estimates, and develop a business plan for a 50-meter aquatics and wellness center. The City Council approved the funding and directed the group to collaborate with the Visalia Parks and Recreation Commission and report their findings back to the Council.
The Visalia Parks and Recreation Commission study focused on the following key areas:
• The number and size of existing pools in Visalia
• Community needs related to aquatic facilities
• Cost estimates to build a new pool and potential City subsidy requirements
• Projected ongoing operational and maintenance costs
• Revenue-generating potential of a new aquatic facility
To gather community input, a statistically valid survey was conducted, featuring 22 questions available in both English and Spanish. The survey was offered online and in-person. Distribution and collection efforts included:
• Three in-person collection events
• Email distribution to 2,104 recipients
• Posting on the City’s official website
• Sharing via City and Department social media channels
The Parks and Recreation Commission, along with the independent group, presented their study findings to the Visalia City Council on March 12, 2019. The key findings were as follows:
The existing aquatic facilities in Visalia are over capacity. If there is a desire to expand aquatic opportunities in the city, additional pool space will be needed. In terms of community needs, 40 percent of survey respondents indicated that they or members of their household cannot swim and do not have access to a pool. Meanwhile, 60 percent reported that they or someone in their household uses pools for recreation or play and currently have access to pool facilities.
Regarding the cost to build, aquatic facilities that are most successful in recovering operational costs typically include multiple pools to support a wide variety of programs. A 50-meter pool can accommodate greater use by allowing multiple programs to operate at the same time. The estimated construction cost in 2018-2019 ranged from 12 to 15 million dollars, depending on the type of pool, the size of the facility, and whether it is built indoors or outdoors.
Operations and maintenance costs for a 50-meter pool are significantly higher than for a 35-meter pool. Approximately 60 percent of the total cost is attributed to labor and benefits, with another 24 percent going to utilities. Monthly operations and maintenance costs were estimated at around 50,000 dollars, or roughly 600,000 dollars per year.
As for revenue potential, indoor pools that can be used year-round offer greater opportunities for programming and income generation. Approximately 83 percent of revenue is typically derived from recreation, health and wellness admissions, and swim lessons.
At the conclusion of the 2018-2019 aquatic study, following a presentation from the Parks and Recreation Commission and the independent group, the City Council thanked all parties for their participation and efforts in completing the study. However, the Council decided to table any decision on the development of an aquatic facility to a later date.
Fiscal Impact: N/A
Prior Council Action: None
Other: None
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
No motion required.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 10/20/2025
Attachments: Aquatics Facility Presentation