Board approves plans for new Hillsborough Unified Aquatic Center

The Healdsburg Unified School District board unanimously approved detailed plans for a new district aquatic center following a presentation by Tanya Dale of Counterpoint Construction. Dale said the design includes a 12-lane pool configured as eight competition lanes alongside four shallow lanes for simultaneous programs, plus a separate learn-to-swim pool, locker rooms and a roughly 500-square-foot classroom.

Dale described recent mid-design changes meant to improve accessibility and deck space: “The ramp…is actually gonna move towards the building and be a switchback ramp,” she said, adding that the change will ‘‘allow pretty much continuous in‑out of that left hand side’’ while preserving an accessible route. She also said the team plans fenced outdoor storage adjacent to the pool for roll‑away bleachers and other equipment to maximize usable deck area.

Board members pressed staff about service access, parking and timeline. Dale said parking will be reconfigured and expanded where the current driveway is removed, and that EV chargers will be installed because the code requires them. She gave a schedule goal of submitting plans to the state architect by December and delivering cost estimates and next-phase drawings by the end of September. The board then moved and approved adoption of the proposed plans by voice vote.

Staff will return with refined cost estimates and more detailed elevations as the project proceeds through design and into entitlement and bidding stages.