DESIGN PLAN AUTHORIZED FOR CARLSBAD POOL PROJECT

A plan approved by Carlsbad voters in November to enlarge and renovate the 41year-old Monroe Street swim complex received the City Council’s authorization Wednesday for plans, specifications and a new cost estimate.

An estimate updated in April 2022 placed construction costs between $22 million and $24 million, which was the range specified on the ballot measure. A Carlsbad law approved in 1982 requires certain projects costing more than $1 million in city funds to be decided by voters.

“That will be our target in developing these designs, to stay within that range,” Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Lancaster told the City Council. The city’s consultant on the project since April 2019, LPA Inc. of San Diego will prepare the new estimate, and that figure will be reviewed for the city by an independent third party.

The completed design and specifications will be presented to the City Council for approval and could go out for construction bids in early 2024.

The plan chosen was the most extensive and expensive version of three renovation options presented to the City Council. The plan includes expanding the 25-meter pool to 33 meters with 50 percent more lanes, a larger deck with more shade structures, new entrances, more bleachers, a larger building with a multipurpose meeting room, additional parking and upgrades to comply with current health and building codes.

The plan also includes the installation of an 8-foot-tall wall with a solid gate along Monroe Avenue to reduce sound from the pool, something neighbors have complained about in the past.

One person at Wednesday’s meeting, longtime Carlsbad water polo coach James Hamilton, told the City Council he likes the proposed renovations, but suggested the rebuilt pool should be 50 meters long.

“It is fantastic that this is happening finally for all aquatics users in the community, the water polo kids, the swimmers, the lap swimmers, the divers, everyone,” Hamilton said, but the expanded pool soon will be full.

Lancaster said the city asked its consultant to consider the possibility of a 50meter pool, but found there were a number of drawbacks related to the site. The larger pool would take the maximum available deck area and would cut into the space needed for increased parking.

“The costs would increase exponentially for the equipment needed to keep it operational,” Lancaster said. Also, the swim center is in a residential neighborhood that would be affected by the increased activity.

The city has appropriated $3.3 million for the planning and development of the project, and a little more than $180,000 has been spent so far on designs, public engagement and other costs. Funding for construction has not been identified.

The Monroe Street pool, adjacent to Carlsbad High School, was Carlsbad’s only municipal aquatics facility until the city opened a larger swim complex at Alga Norte Community Park in 2014.

Alga Norte has a 56-meter competition pool and a 25yard, 12-lane instruction pool, and other facilities.