Community urges PRAB to preserve South Boulder Rec Center pool; staff says decisions await April scenarios
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Summary
Dozens of residents told the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board that South Boulder Rec Center’s lap pool, gym and community programming must be preserved. Staff said no final design decisions have been made, outlined funding and code constraints, and the board narrowly rejected a motion to require a staff-funded renovation scenario that kept the pool footprint.
Residents filled public comment to press the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board to preserve core amenities at the South Boulder Recreation Center, notably the lap pool, gym and locker facilities. Staff told the board it has not made final design decisions and will present comparative funding and facility scenarios for PRAB and City Council review this spring.
Community members described South as a heavily used, 52-year-old neighborhood hub used by swimmers, school teams and families. “This pool is an incredible community resource,” said one longtime lane swimmer who noted Fairview High School’s regular practice schedule and a petition signed by thousands of residents. Parents, young children and long-term users described how walking distance to the facility supports youth sport participation and everyday recreation.
In response, Ali Rhodes, director of Boulder Parks and Recreation, said staff will present systemwide scenarios in April that synthesize policy, community input, capital costs and operating impacts. Rhodes reiterated that “no decisions have been made” and that earlier investments have bought time for South while the city addresses the more urgent failing infrastructure at the East Boulder Community Center. Staff described $10.5 million appropriated so far for East preconstruction work and the project funding level discussed publicly as $53 million spread over several years; further construction funding is tentatively slated for 2027–28.
Chief architect Michelle Crane and other staff outlined technical constraints: South’s pool shell and building layout do not meet modern accessibility and energy code requirements, and a full “in-place” pool replacement would force reduced pool area or incur very high costs because current code and circulation requirements cannot be met within the existing shell. Crane said the city’s experience across many renovation projects suggests that renovating an older, constrained building can cost more than new construction.
PRAB members acknowledged deep community concern about optics and fairness — why East’s project moved forward with large funding while community members see less investment for South. Several board members asked staff to prepare at least one engineering-based renovation scenario for South that would explore retaining the existing pool footprint with preliminary cost estimates so the board and public could compare options.
A formal motion asking staff to include a renovation scenario that evaluates maintaining the existing pool footprint with engineered solutions and preliminary cost estimates was made, seconded and discussed. After debate about staff capacity, charter authority and prior technical assessments, the board took a voice vote; the motion failed, with one member in favor and four opposed.
Where it stands now: staff will present citywide facility scenarios and cost/operational tradeoffs at an upcoming PRAB study session; PRAB input will then inform a City Council study session in April. Council deliberations in May are expected to guide polling and potential ballot language for November; any additional capital appropriation would start after voter approval. The board and staff stressed that further technical analysis, community engagement and policy discussion remain necessary before any design or funding decisions are finalized.
What’s next: PRAB will hold a study session before the April 9 City Council meeting. Staff asked PRAB to provide advice at that session and noted the chartered advisory role of the board in funding recommendations for permanent parks and recreation funds. If a ballot measure advances, related capital work would be sequenced beginning in 2027 and beyond.
