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San Carlos weighs locations for a new community and aquatics center; Burton Park and L'oreola emerge as top study sites
Summary
Consultants reported community interest in a recreation‑oriented pool and a multi‑use community center. Program ranges (community center 17k–30k sf; aquatics 12k–20k sf) produced high‑level cost estimates and massing concepts for Burton Park, L'oreola Park and a constrained City Hall site; council asked staff to study three preferred options in greater depth.
As part of the parks master plan consultants presented Task 12 analysis of potential sites and program concepts for a community center and an aquatic facility. Two program ranges were developed from community outreach: a larger community center (about 30,000 square feet) and a modest option (roughly 17,000 sq ft), and aquatics options in the 12,000–20,000 sq ft range. High‑level capital estimates in the presentation placed a 30,000‑square‑foot community center in the range of roughly $30 million (building cost only) and a recreation aquatics facility in the $4–7 million range depending on configuration and parking approach.
Sites and tradeoffs: Consultants studied Burton Park (two massing options: plaza‑centered or corner facility), L'oreola Park (with or without acquisition of an adjacent parcel), and a constrained downtown/City Hall site. Burton Park options assume underground or podium parking if co‑located with a large community center; the L'oreola concepts allow potential surface parking but would consume open field area and might require acquisition of adjacent property to retain field capacity. The City Hall/dog‑park area was judged the most constrained.
Community input and next steps: Outreach respondents prioritized a recreation‑focused aquatic facility (splash pads, seating, family zones) and multi‑use community spaces (multi‑purpose courts, studios, meeting rooms, small performance area). Council directed staff to narrow the study to three leading options for follow‑up analysis: Burton Park option 1, Burton Park option 2, and L'oreola Park option 1. Staff will return with refined cost, parking analyses, operating‑cost estimates and community engagement plans for the preferred sites.
Operating implications: Council members noted the significant operating cost of a pool plus a community center and asked staff to include operating cost projections in follow‑up materials and to consider phased or modular building approaches to spread capital and operating impacts.
