Which New Design For Walnut Creek's Slightly More Expensive New Pools Do You Like?

Residents got the chance Tuesday night to view four options for new pools at Heather Farm Park and Larkey Park, and learned that the original $21 million price tag has gone up $1 million to $2 million depending on which design the city chooses.

Paying for the pools was not the subject of Tuesday night's forum. Barry Gordon, director of Arts, Recreation & Community Services, said the city, with input from residents, needs to pick the design first, then it can figure out how to pay for the pool upgrades, which city leaders have said are necessary because the pools, built a half-century ago, are out of date.

They don't adequately serve the half million people who use them each year for swim lessons, recreational swimming or practice for competitive teams, including the Olympic-caliber Aquanuts. The equipment also is subject to breakdowns. A heater malfunction closed the Clarke Memorial lap pool, used by competitive swimmers and people working out, for nearly two months late last year.  

Lauren Livingston, with the Sports Management Group, said the cost estimate went up because figures provided nearly a year ago are simply out of date. Also, the group, hired by the city to work on the project, has recommended building a bigger bath house at Clarke Swim Center.

The consultants presented four options for Clarke Swim Center. They also presented the pros and cons for each option. 

Both the city and the consultants prefer Option One, which would place the 50-meter competitive pool northeast of where it is now. Moving the pool there would mean removing the volleyball courts and some picnic areas. 

To the west of the 50-meter pool would be a 35-meter deep pool that would hold diving boards on one side and an area for the Aquanuts to train on the other. 

In the middle of the center would be a six-lane lap pool, which would be used for lessons, and a family recreational pool, possibly with playground-like equipment.

Most of the 30 or so residents at the forum, seated at four tables, preferred Option 1. 

One group preferred Option 2, which would involve moving the 50-meter lap pool to the east along Heather Drive. 

Only one option would allow the pools to remain open while construction of the new pools take place: Option 4. This option would move the aquatics center to the east side of the parking lot and require the playground to be replaced.  This site, the consultants said, would involve major site preparation and block views to the park from San Carlos Drive. 

Council member Kish Rajan, in an email, said he sees the facilities as important to our community. Rajan, who has three children who swim, said he admires "outstanding local programs of the Masters and Aquanuts. "I am well aware of the benefits of having excellent swim facilities in Walnut Creek. 

However, he said, "it is very important to note that there is currently no plan to pay for the options that are being explored and presented in the meeting on Tuesday."

"As valuable as these facilities are, there are many important infrastructure needs in Walnut Creek," he added. "In economic times that remain challenging and uncertain, it is important for us to keep these pool discussions in the proper perspective."