Pueblo West board narrows aquatic center plan, reserves $6.2 million and directs lower‑cost design

The Pueblo West Board of Directors voted Sept. 8 to pursue a lower‑cost alternative for the proposed indoor aquatic center, authorize geotechnical soil borings at two candidate sites and commit $6,200,000 currently set aside for the project while setting aside an additional $3,800,000 for future parks-and‑recreation facilities if the district’s 6A fire sales tax is made permanent. The board also directed staff to work with the district’s design consultant on a prefabricated/metal‑building option sized roughly 85 by 140 feet and to return cost and code analysis as they are developed.

Why it matters: The aquatic center has been in the district’s capital plans since the TABOR ballot language approved in 2016; rising construction estimates and long operating costs prompted the board to ask whether a smaller, less expensive indoor pool could meet community needs while reducing long‑term fiscal risk. The board’s action advances site testing and design work that staff said will inform a formal construction budget and future bidding.

Board discussion and direction: District manager Christian Hein and Parks and Recreation Director Carol Cosby briefed the board on project history, existing design work under contract…