Council directs Public Works to fill in community pool and study dog-park, pickleball, garden options

Leon Valley’s council voted to have Public Works fill in the city’s community pool and asked staff to return with design and cost options for possible reuses including a dog park, pickleball courts, and a community garden.

Public Works Director Melinda Moritz presented cost estimates and reuse concepts. She said an immediate fill-in to make the site usable for another purpose would cost in materials roughly $34,000, with Public Works performing in-house labor; more extensive repairs to reopen the pool were estimated at about $205,000 for pool repairs alone and a higher conceptual overhaul was quantified in the presentation (examples included a $2.5 million full pool revamp, $750,000 for a sprayground and $2.25 million to re-do the parking lot). Moritz also presented estimates to convert the fenced pool area into a single pickleball court (materials plus in-house work) and to create a dog park; she said restrooms at the site are ADA accessible and could be retained.

Council debate focused on how to balance noise and neighbor impacts (pickleball and dog-park noise were both raised), grant eligibility (restripping or converting existing Forest Oaks tennis courts for pickleball could jeopardize prior tennis-related funding) and site buffering (a community garden was discussed as a quieter buffer use). Councilor Bradshaw, who moved the fill-in motion, and Councilor Orozco seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote; staff will return with schematic options, hard-cost estimates for the dog-park scenario (including signage and video-camera deterrents), and a recommended funding source and budget amendment.

Councilors also asked staff to examine alternative sites for pickleball to avoid locating louder courts immediately next to homes, and to document any available restricted funds (Seneca West contributions were referenced) that could reduce net city cost. Staff said that if the council confirms a dog park, a $20,000 designated Seneca West fund could help offset the estimated conversion costs.

Practical next steps: Public Works will (1) proceed with filling the pool (budget adjustment and packet item to follow), (2) prepare a schematic of the fenced site with at least one reuse option (dog park with cameras, signage, hours) and (3) provide hard-cost estimates and suggested funding sources for council review at a future meeting.