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Tracy council directs outdoor-focused aquatic center design, asks staff to return with funding plan
Summary
After weeks of public debate and consultant presentations, the council authorized Group Four to prepare construction documents but directed staff to prioritize an outdoor-focused plan (omitting the indoor natatorium) and to return with a detailed financing plan and bid alternates. The full build-out remains an option if funding is found.
The Tracy City Council on June 16 authorized the city’s design team to proceed with construction documents for the city-led aquatic center plan, but after extensive public comment and council debate it directed staff to proceed on an outdoor‑focused option and return with funding scenarios and bid alternates before construction bids are solicited.
Assistant Director Richard Joaquin and consultants from Group Four presented design-development work, a schedule targeting construction start in summer 2027 and cost estimates. Staff said a previously discussed $65 million base budget had grown to about $67.8 million because of 2025 building‑code requirements (including added energy-efficiency systems), while the consultants’ full build-out estimate for the project with all enhancements is roughly $91.4 million.
Consultants described a phased site with a 50‑meter competition pool as the project’s anchor, and the design team outlined possible enhancements — a slide complex ($3.6 million), a lazy river with island ($11.8 million), an outdoor toddler area ($4.1 million) and a 3,000‑square‑foot community room ($6.9 million). Staff explained those items could be treated as bid alternates so the council could add or drop elements based on bid results and funding availability.
The meeting’s public-comment period was long and split. Dozens of residents, swim‑team coaches and community groups urged the city to move forward with the Group Four plan and to prioritize the 50‑meter competition pool. Other residents and representatives of a rival proposal — described at the meeting as a "community plan" developed with Urban Design Associates — argued their model would deliver more amenities at lower long‑term subsidy by relying on different revenue assumptions.
Council members debated operational subsidies, long‑term cost recovery and litigation risk tied to the property acquisition history. Council questions focused on whether an indoor natatorium was essential to the project and how phasing or alternates could reduce near‑term budget pressure. Several members emphasized public-safety funding priorities elsewhere in the city and urged caution about adding annual operating burdens.
Ultimately a majority motion directed staff to prepare construction documents using Group Four’s plans but to carry the outdoor‑pool configuration (omitting the indoor natatorium) and include comprehensive bid alternates and breakout options for the council to consider at the award stage. Council also asked staff to return with a funding plan that would identify possible Measure V reallocations, reserves, or other sources to close any budget gap.
What’s next: Group Four will proceed with construction documents. Staff will prepare an analysis of funding options and present a recommendation to council before the city solicits construction bids.
