Walnut Creek Aquatic Foundation aims for $3M as city readies Heather Farm aquatic center; staff cite $51 million construction bid

Meg Honey, a board member of the Walnut Creek Aquatic Foundation, told the Park, Recreation and Open Space Commission that the foundation is committed to raising $3,000,000 to support the planned Heather Farm Aquatic Center, and that it has raised $900,000 from 77 donors so far. "We are committed to raising $3,000,000 to support the aquatic center," Honey said during the Feb. 2 presentation.

Honey described the planned facility as "a comprehensive state-of-the-art facility" that will include a 50-meter competition pool, a 25-meter short-course recreation pool, a current channel for play and exercise, diving boards, bleachers and inclusive changing-room design. She said naming opportunities have been claimed for several components but that major naming opportunities — including for the competition pool and the facility itself — remain available to donors.

During public questions, an attendee asked about total project cost. City staff responding to the commission said the phase-two construction low bid was $51,000,000. Staff also announced a community groundbreaking set for Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. Staff reported that demolition and abatement work is already underway: the recent demolition removed about 80 trees in the latest phase (roughly 40 were removed in phase one), with a target to plant 200 replacement trees.

The commission and foundation described the project as the product of years of advocacy and voter support: Honey noted the foundation’s memorandum of understanding with the City of Walnut Creek and referenced voter approval of Measure O, a 10-year, half-cent transactions and use tax that the foundation says helped fund related quality-of-life needs. Honey said the foundation will continue community engagement through events, donor outreach and collaboration with arts & recreation staff.

Next steps include the scheduled Feb. 18 groundbreaking and continued fundraising and outreach; consultants and staff expect design and construction activity to continue through 2027. The foundation invited community members to learn more about giving levels and naming opportunities on its website and at upcoming community events.

The commission did not take a formal vote on the project at the Feb. 2 meeting; staff updates focused on construction sequencing, tree replacement and abatement timing.