San Ramon staff outline $12.5 million estimate for 50‑meter pool, add police mobile substation to five‑year CIP

San Ramon public works staff presented the Parks and Community Services Commission with a draft five‑year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) on April 9, 2025, identifying major unfunded projects and near‑term work for parks, facilities and aquatics.

The plan covers fiscal years 2025–2030 and lists two new projects: a full renovation of the city’s 50‑meter pool — preliminarily estimated at $12,500,000 — and a mobile police substation converted from an Airstream trailer. Public Works Division Manager John Bell told the commission the CIP is “an instrument we use to identify projects, fund the projects, plan for the projects, coordinate all the financing and the timing of the projects.”

Why it matters: the 50‑meter pool at the city’s main aquatic center is approaching 50 years old and will need upgrades to meet county health standards and competitive swimming requirements. Staff said a remodel could trigger code‑required upgrades across the facility, not just the pool, and therefore requires long‑range planning and community input.

Most important facts - The 50‑meter pool renovation is listed in the CIP with a planning/design phase proposed for FY 2026–27 and tentative construction in FY 2029–30. Staff provided a preliminary total project estimate of $12,500,000 and said no funding sources have been identified. Public comment and partners (including the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and swim clubs) will be part of the planning process. - Staff emphasized the facility also must meet county health codes and USA Swimming competition standards; upgrades could include a deeper dive well, revised starting blocks and larger filtration and pump systems. Aquatics staff (identified in the meeting as an in‑house subject matter expert) said, “we are operational now. We don't anticipate any issues, that would shut down,” while acknowledging long‑term work is required. - A proposed mobile police substation would convert an Airstream trailer into a staffed mobile unit to be located near the city center. Staff said the unit is estimated at about $191,000 and would include communications and technology to support police functions. A police representative said, “Yes. So it'll be closer to city center,” and staff expects the unit to be used in the interim while repurposing space at City Hall. - Park development and infrastructure maintenance funds were described as the CIP’s primary sources. Staff noted a change in how development fees are collected (fees now come at occupancy rather than permit issuance), making timing of some park development revenues uncertain. Staff projected approximately $2.1 million in park development fees for FY 2025–26 and $9.5 million over the five‑year period, but cautioned there is no guarantee those revenues will be realized. - Other near‑term items with identified funding include park amenities ($261,000 for benches, trash receptacles, repairs and lighting), restroom renovations funded from prior years, playground upgrades proposed at $31,000, and pumping/vacuum/chemical equipment reserves for pools ($29,000 identified for FY 2025–26).

Commission questions focused on timing, community involvement and potential cost sharing. Commissioners asked how long the existing pool could remain in service, whether the school district would contribute to the pool project, and whether the Airstream model has been used elsewhere. Staff told the commission the pool is expected to remain operable for the immediate future but that major renovations will require multi‑year design and funding phases; they encouraged pursuing district and community partnerships to share costs for large capital projects.

What happens next: staff said the draft CIP will move to the city’s finance committee, then to the planning commission and to a city council budget workshop in May; council adoption of the budget is scheduled for June 10, 2025. The CIP remains a living document; projects and budgets will be adjusted as revenue projections and committee input are refined.

Ending: commissioners provided feedback and asked staff to continue outreach on the pool renovation and to work on funding strategies, including exploring partnerships and timing for park development fees.