Woodland City Council to move forward with $15.3 million pool project

Gerardo Zavala

May 19

The Woodland City Council is poised to adopt a resolution approving project plans and specifications for the Southeast Area Aquatic Center Project that has garnered a mix of support and opposition from community members with some arguing for a need for another swimming pool and others worried about the high cost of the project.

Currently, the city has set aside $10.9 million in its capital budget – including $2 million in Measure F funding allocated during the council's last meeting. Development fees earmarked for the new pool account for roughly $4 million but have not been formally allocated to the project budget.

Additionally, $1.3 million in fees will be created with the buildout of the Ruby Estates and Merritt Ranch Subdivision projects in Spring Lake, according to a city staff report. Community fundraising efforts have generated another $1.5 million.

Last year, the project relocated from its original site adjacent to Pioneer High School to the Community and Senior Center after a soil analysis of the original location revealed unsuitable conditions to build the project.

The overall site plan shows the proposed design of both pools and a pool building. (Courtesy)

The consultant's proposal to excavate the unsuitable soil and recompact the site would have cost over $1 million to perform and inspect. The new location would still allow Pioneer High School to use the pool for competition.

Relocation to the community center – located at 2001 East St. – cost the city approximately $245,000 in consultant costs.

According to the report, the estimated cost of construction for the aquatic center is $15.3 million meaning the city needs to identify other funding sources to cover the remaining project costs. These include development fees, American Rescue Plan funds, Measure J, Measure F, the general fund and community fundraising.

Once the bid price is known and the city is ready to award a construction contract, the council will need to approve a budget authorization for the total project cost in a future meeting.

"The city currently operates one municipal pool, the Charles Brooks Community Swim Center, located adjacent to Woodland High School," the report explained. "The City Council has identified completion of a second community pool as a priority goal."

A council subcommittee has worked with city staff to confirm the recommended project scope and budget, which includes the following.

A competition swimming pool with 10 25-yard by 25-meter lanes, eight completion lanes, shallow learn-to-swim lanes and ADA accessibility.
An activity and recreation pool with interactive water play features, instructional areas, a wading area and a zero-depth entry area.
A support building with an office and ticketing space; a locker, dressing, toilet and shower area; a lifeguard, first aid and training area; a mechanical room; chemical storage rooms; custodial space; a maintenance technician office and workspace; an electrical room.
Site features including roughly two acres of overall development, shade structures, utility connections, fencing, lighting, sidewalks and paths of travel, deck space and landscaping.

Now that completion of the project plans and specifications have been completed, the city is requesting that the City Council approve construction documents and authorize the city to advertise the project for bids.

"Upon council approval, the construction documents will be advertised for approximately 30 days with bid opening scheduled for the end of June," the report stated. "Staff anticipates that the construction contract award will be presented to council for approval in mid-July."

Construction is expected to take roughly 15 months with project completion estimated in fall 2025.

Public comments can be submitted prior to the Tuesday council meeting to CouncilMeetings@cityofwoodland.gov. Written comments received at least two hours prior to the scheduled start time of the meeting will be provided to the council and posted to the city website as part of the official record of the meeting but will not be read into the record.

For more information on how to comment and to view the agenda, visit cityofwoodland.gov/654/Meetings-Agendas.