Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment

Description

These facilities provide opportunities for water recreation and fitness activities. The most recently constructed outdoor aquatic facilities (Highlands Pool and University Place Pool) are designed as "pool in a park" facilities. These pools feature zero depth entry, interactive water features, a deep well for diving activities and open deck/lawn areas.

The aquatics program currently recovers 55 to 70 percent of its overall operating costs on an annual basis. Typical annual cost recovery at the 11 existing pools ranges from 24 percent at Meadow Heights Pool to 102 percent at Star City Shores. The aquatics program is subsidized by general tax revenue sources. The City should maintain its commitment to outdoor water recreation and fitness activities.

Location and Design Criteria

Facilities should be:

• properly located and sized to serve the community
• maintained in sound structural condition
• operated in a safe and efficient manner
• able to provide adequate play value
• accessible by pedestrians and bicyclists using the commuter/recreational trails network.

Strategies

• Renovate the bathhouse, pool deck and basin of the existing facilities that meet the design criteria so as to prolong their operable life.
• Add new amenities/features to existing facilities that are located at sites with adequate space to accommodate expansion and have existing structures sound enough to handle additional amenities.
• Relocate existing facilities that do not meet the design criteria to locations that will better serve the community.
• Site new facilities meeting the design criteria in population areas not already served and those areas isolated by transportation corridors or other natural barriers.
• Explore opportunities for one or more free-standing spraygrounds as a new outdoor water recreational activity.
• Explore opportunities for development of an indoor leisure/competition pool facility through collaborative efforts.
• Prioritize strategies for both short term and long term planning and explore funding alternatives that may include bond issues, park improvement districts and/or a local option sales tax.