Parks commission directs staff to gather designs, bids for county pool replacement and repairs

The Parks and Recreation Commission voted to authorize staff to gather design options and contractor bids for either extending and remediating the existing county pool or replacing it outright, after hearing that the pool’s structure and equipment are failing and that short-term repairs will be costly.

The action followed an extended presentation and discussion led by Salil (parks staff), who told the commission, "We've got it drained and cleaned up. Most everything's looking pretty good. We've got a few repairs that need to be done. The age is really showing on it this year, but, we'll pull through and get that going." Salil said the department currently has five certified lifeguards, five more in training and staff in place for food service and management for the coming season.

Commission members pressed on both immediate maintenance and long-term options. Salil and other staff described cracking and loose tile around high-traffic entry points, failing skimmers and brittle equipment they blamed on chlorine damage, and ongoing water leaks. "The chlorine's eating [the skimmers] up," Salil said. He told the commission that specialized patch material had been ordered and that crews anticipated starting repairs once materials arrived.

Why it matters: commissioners said the pool is aging and that repeated temporary fixes are unsustainable. Salil presented a preliminary cost range for rebuilding or extending the pool, telling the commission, "I'd dare say 300,000," while also noting bids already received ranged (one) near $190,000 and that adding an extension could add "another hundred thousand" or roughly 30–40 percent more depending on excavation, slope changes and fencing.

Discussion and options: commissioners debated layout choices. Staff and commissioners discussed three main options: 1) repair and retain the existing footprint; 2) extend the pool toward the kiddie pool and reconfigure the shallow area into an L‑shape to preserve a small wading area; or 3) extend toward the walking track (south) to create a gradual walk-in slope. Several members recommended preserving a separate kiddie/wading area because parents rely on that containment for small children. One commissioner described the walking‑track side as prone to debris and said placing an L‑shape toward the park would reduce trash intrusion.

Construction considerations raised by staff included replacing corroded rebar, major excavation where grades differ, rebuilding pool substrate (gunite/shotcrete), adding properly compacted backfill (crush and run) to reduce settling, and replacing rusted fencing. Staff also recommended considering modern chemical-feed/treatment equipment that meters chemicals incrementally rather than dumping a full dose at once; Salil said such systems would likely extend equipment life and reduce overtreatment incidents.

Costs and procurement: Salil said some local contractors provided quotes and that county staff could have local crews do some site and deck work to reduce costs, but that the pool shell work should be done by experienced pool contractors. He said the department would advertise a formal bid if the commission pursues a major rebuild because of the expected project size and cost.

Commission direction and vote: after discussion, a commissioner moved to have staff pursue preliminary designs and quotes for the L‑shaped extension and other options and to secure drawings and cost estimates sufficient to support a budget request. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Carmel and approved unanimously by voice vote.

Short-term maintenance: staff said crews will continue patching to keep the pool operable this season; they warned that water bills could increase because leaks will remain until more extensive work is done. Salil emphasized the pool is approaching the point where replacement is likely required, saying, "I'm gonna promise you this will be the last year we're gonna get out of the old girl" if repairs continue to fail.

Next steps and timeline: staff agreed to gather designs and contractor quotes, produce a set of options (including an L‑shape with a gradual walk‑in, a straight extension, and a full replacement), and return to the commission with drawings and bid-ready materials. Commissioners asked staff to seek potential grant funding and to include a range of price points so the commission can decide how much to request in the next budget cycle. Salil said the department will likely advertise the work for competitive bids if the commission moves forward with a capital project.

Ending: commissioners thanked staff for ongoing maintenance. Staff said they will continue interim repairs during the coming season while pursuing the requested design and cost information for the commission’s next budget decisions.