Architect unveils schematic design for Palm Springs Swim Center locker rooms; $7 million cited for project funding

At the June 23 Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, architect Maria Song of Interactive Design Corporation presented a schematic design for the Palm Springs Swim Center building and locker room improvements and staff said the city has added $7,000,000 to the library bond to help fund the building work.

The schematic focuses on a reconfigured entrance and an upper-level deck that brings the entry level to the same elevation as the pavilion, new single‑use restrooms and showers, expanded staff/check‑in space, increased storage and a shaded pavilion conceived to provide solar and perforated panels above the locker and shower areas. “What we want to do is extend in our case so it reaches to South Pavilion Way so everybody could see where the swim center is located,” Song said during her presentation. She described the pavilion as “a roof within a roof” designed to provide shade and future potential for solar panels.

John Brickley, the department project manager, confirmed the city has budgeted $7,000,000 toward the project by adding funds to the library bond authorization. “We added $7,000,000 to the, library bond to help fund this project,” Brickley said. Staff emphasized the schematic covers the building and adjacent lawn; it does not include major pool infrastructure work, which would be scoped later if needed.

Commissioners and staff discussed circulation and sightlines from the new upper deck, the degree of perforation in the pavilion cover so swimmers could keep views to the west, and the project’s impact on trees at the site. Song and staff said the design aims to preserve north‑side trees where possible but acknowledged that some tall palm trees on the west side will likely need removal. Staff said full relocation of those palms would be difficult and that replacement with younger, desert‑appropriate palms is the likely outcome.

Staff said they will attempt to keep the pool open during construction and plan to provide temporary facilities for swimmers; however, they warned there may be intermittent displacement or short-term work that requires temporary changes. “Our full intention is to keep the facility, the pool itself open during the construction,” a Parks and Recreation Department representative said, adding that staff will communicate any temporary displacement plans to swimmers in advance.

Next steps from the commission briefing: staff will present the schematic to the public at a community meeting on Thursday, June 26, then seek City Council authorization in July to proceed into design development and later construction documents. Maria Song said her firm will remain on the project through design development, construction documents, bidding and construction administration if the council gives authorization.

The commission heard no formal motion or vote on the schematic at the meeting; staff said the item will move to City Council for formal authorization.