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Rec center upgrades and ARC closure plans draw council questions on timing and impacts
Summary
Staff outlined major ARC projects (electrical overhaul, control system replacement) that will require planning in 2025 and a potential ~3‑month closure in 2026 for installation; council members asked staff to explore ways to shorten closures and to quantify energy or performance benefits.
Parks and recreation staff walked the council through two large ARC projects: an electrical system replacement and a multifunction control system upgrade. Staff said they plan to fund design and engineering in 2025 and schedule procurement and installation in 2026. "We're giving ourselves plenty of time for that procurement along with the planning with the community," staff said, and warned that many components take long lead times to acquire.
Staff estimated the combined work could require up to a three‑month closure of the ARC to complete the most disruptive elements safely. Council members pressed staff to explore ways to reduce closure length and asked for clearer descriptions of energy‑savings or operational benefits that would justify the timing and cost. Staff said the work lays the groundwork to adopt more efficient systems for ice production and pool operations and that they will return with analyses of closure mitigation options, cost implications and community communications plans.
Staff also highlighted related capital needs across parks and rec (locker replacements, asphalt resurfacing, fleet updates) and fielded questions about parking capacity at city recreation sites and options to encourage carpooling for events rather than adding new parking.
