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Carbondale officials set donor preview and public opening for new pool; staff addresses season length, pricing and equipment noise
Summary
Town staff told the Parks & Recreation Commission the new Carmelo Aquatic Center will host a donor preview and ribbon-cutting before opening to the public on Saturday; staff also discussed pass pricing, uncertain season length and noise testing of air-source heat pumps.
Eric Brenlinger, a parks staff member, briefed the commission on the Carmelo Aquatic Center schedule, operations and remaining tasks. He said lifeguard and WSI training are complete, the town will hold a donor appreciation event with a ribbon-cutting on Thursday and open to the public on Saturday (donor hours 10 a.m.–noon followed by general access). Brenlinger described a staff "guinea pig" test day for volunteers and staff to exercise systems and said remaining punch-list items would be addressed before full opening.
Commissioners raised questions about pass pricing and season length. One commissioner said residents were confused about a $90 monthly pass and how that compared with per-visit or early-bird pricing; Brenlinger said the town has not finalized the full seasonal schedule and is waiting to confirm winterization and contractor dates with Colorado Hardscapes before setting final prices and early-bird options. He said staffing availability — including the number of returning lifeguards — is a constraint on guaranteeing a longer season, though staff hope to operate through September if feasible.
Brenlinger also reported that the facility's air-source heat pumps (referred to in the meeting as "big boppers") have performed well and that the police department took nighttime decibel readings (about 54 dB at property lines with no other ambient noise). He said that initial testing found the units quieter than earlier concerns suggested. Separately, the commission discussed a proposed "swimmer" sculpture that was not funded within the capital project and would require separate fundraising if pursued.
Brenlinger said several reimbursable grants tied to the pool project will require closeout work and that staff are pursuing an extension on at least one grant; in the near term, staff will publish final open dates and donor-event details once schedules and outstanding contractor tasks are confirmed.
