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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-09-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - NEWHALL PARK RENOVATION PROJ (2)AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval Item to be presented by: NEW BUSINESS DATE: September 11, 1990 SUBJECT: Newhall Park Renovation Project DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation BACKGROUND Jeff Kolin Newhall Park is the oldest park which the City of Santa Clarita operates. The pool itself was built in the late 1940's. It has enjoyed a great deal of use and, provided much enjoyment to local residents for over 40 years. Many of the systems and structures in the pool have been in service for the entire length of its 40 -year history. Pool pumping, filtration and chemical control equipment have evolved tremendously with the addition of new technology and engineering solutions. Today's pool pumping, filtration and chemical control equipment are much more energy efficient, provide better water quality, take less space to install in the physical plant, are more. reliable and have lower maintenance costs. The Newhall Park pool is in need of renovation. The pool pumping and filtration equipment is outdated, and should be replaced in the near future. The County of Los Angeles, and more recently the City of Santa Clarita, have had to spend tremendous amounts of time and money on annual repairs to the system to keep it in good operating order. The gutter and drain system for the pool, although working, does not provide good drainage for the pool. The pool,has settled and is not level because of years of earthquakes and land shifting. When the Newhall pool was built in the late 19401x, it was a state of the art facility. The length of the pool, 33-1/3 yards, was a popular distance at that time. Since then, with the advent of international competition using meter measurements, the length of the pool has become outdated. Most pools .are now constructed at lengths of 25 or 50 meters. Current or future renovation of the Newhall pool could include the installation of a bulk -head to provide the regulation 25, meter pool length for competitive swimming activities. The Parks and Recreation Department has been discussing the renovation of the Newhall Park pool and other pools within the City's system with the City Manager's Office for some time. The Boys and Girls Club of the Santa Clarita Valley has been working closely with the Department of Parks and Recreation to coordinate their plans for the development of a new pool locker room facility, gymnasium and Boys and Girls Club facility at Newhall Park. They have indicated that their project will begin construction in the September/October, 1990 time frame. This construction presents an opportunity for the City to accelerate its renovation and rehab program for Newhall Park pool. It is possible that'better pricing and bids can be received by tying the construction and renovation activities necessary for the pool to the construction of the Boys and.Girls Club facilities. Similar timing would allow the contractors working on the Boys and Girls Club project to bid on the pool renovations. This could result in lower costs because. of the. availability of equipment, manpower and improved scheduling from contractors already on the job for the Boys and Girls Club project. APPROVED�� �'c-. r .:._:.�� Item: This approach and timing to the Newhall Park pool improvements and renovation would also result in having all the park facilities upgraded at the same time, and reopening in the spring of 1991. The Parks and Recreation Department will also be constructing a new restroom and concession stand facility. near the softball diamond at Newhall Park. Completion of the projects concurrently would result in new restroom and concession stand facilities, a completely renovated pool and locker room facility, a gymnasium, a new multi-purpose room and kitchen facility and a Boys and Girls . Club clubhouse --all reopening in the spring of 1991. This would avoid the impacts of significant construction activities for the pool in future years. Staff has contacted several commercial pool consultants, and asked them to conduct an on-site evaluation of the rehab and renovation needs for the Newhall Park pool. They recommend that the first -phase renovation include new electrical panels, wiring to the pumps, pumps, Edison connections and service, filtration systems, water conservation back -wash, water refiltering system, surge pit renovation and installation of a new gutter return system. Preliminary cost estimates for these renovations to the Newhall Park pool indicate that $167,000 would be required for the project. The Parks and Recreation Commission, at its August 27, 1990, meeting and at a special August 30, 1990, meeting, devoted significant time to the Newhall Park pool renovation project. They recommended that the City Council approve the request for $167,000 to complete the. first . phase of- renovations of refurbishments required for the Newhall Park pool. The Commission also urged that the City Council consider the establishment of a reserve fund, beginning.in the 1991/92 budget, to begin compiling funding for the construction of a 50 -meter competitive pool for the community. The Commission saw a growing and developing swimming program in the community, which lacks a competitive facility of the 50 -meter size. The Commissionfelt that there was a great deal of potential for community support, corporate donations and fund-raising opportunities to assist. in the development of a future 50 -meter pool. They hoped that by cooperating with the school district, local swim clubs, and setting aside funds over a long period of time a 50 -meter pool could be constructed and made available.to the public by the year 2000. The Newhall Park pool renovation project will reduce the water use at Newhall Park by over 50 percent, as well as provide automated systems for make up water and back washing, thus reducing long-range maintenance costs. The current pool has settled unevenly, and the addition of the gutter system will provide a level pool for more efficient filtering. Staff feels that the remaining portions or phases of the renovation program for the pool can be included in the Department's regular rehab and renovation program in future years. These projects would be included in the regular 1991/92 budget process. FINANCIAL IMPACT Renovation of the Newhall Park pool is not currently budgeted in the 1990/91 Fiscal Year Budget. Approval of the project by the City Council would require the allocation of $167,000 from the City Council contingency fund account number 01-4101-290, to the Parks and Recreation Department capital project account number 25-99011-227. RECOMMENDED ACTION It is recommended that the City Council approve the Newhall Park pool renovation project, and allocate $167,000 from the City Council contingency fund.